I recently stumbled upon an exciting project that caught my attention—customizing a WiFi interface for Panasonic air conditioning units. The GitHub repository esphome-panasonic-ac by Dominik has been a game-changer for me. It allows me to integrate my Panasonic AC into Home Assistant without relying on their problematic cloud service. While the component isn’t perfect yet, it’s incredibly close to achieving seamless local control. I’ve been contributing some suggestions for optimization, and Dominik seems very responsive and committed to refining it further.
For those interested, Paul and I designed a drop-in hardware replacement for the original Panasonic DNSK-P11 WiFi interface. Based on the ESP32, it requires no soldering or wire cutting—just swap the module and you’re good to go! We’ve made a few units available, purely for sharing, so if you’re curious, feel free to reach out.
On another note, I’ve been exploring ways to enhance my thermostat control using PLEG. My goal is to create a base schedule for heating adjustments that can easily be overridden for specific events. This would be incredibly handy for weekly or monthly adjustments without rewriting entire condition statements. I’m considering scheduling start and stop times for these base groups, but I’m concerned it might lead to constant thermostat commands. I’d love to hear if others have found a more efficient approach or if sticking with advanced conditions is the way to go.
Overall, it’s been a fascinating journey experimenting with these smart home solutions. The community’s collaborative spirit and innovative projects truly make this space exciting! If anyone has tips or experiences to share, I’d be delighted to hear them. Let’s keep the ideas flowing! 