After upgrading my system to version 0.54, I noticed an interesting phenomenon: my Xiaomi binary sensors were appearing twice in the entities list, each with a ‘_2’ suffix. At first, I was a bit puzzled, but it turned out to be a minor hiccup that didn’t affect functionality. It was a good reminder to regularly check my device list for any anomalies!
Moving on to my Ecobee setup, I’ve been exploring how to integrate its room sensors into my home automation rules. I was under the impression that presence detection was possible, but when I tried setting up a trigger, only my phone showed up as an option. This was a bit frustrating, but I discovered that Ecobee’s native HomeKit integration does report occupancy, which is a solid workaround. My end goal is to export this occupancy data via the Maker API for use in a Node-RED flow, which would add a nice layer of automation to my setup.
While diving into these integrations, I stumbled upon a helpful tip for anyone looking to streamline their automation rules. Grouping rules under specific headers, like ‘Master Bedroom’ or ‘Kitchen’, can make managing them much easier. It’s a small tweak that makes a big difference in organization. I also think alternating row colors in the rule list would enhance readability, making it easier to spot specific rules at a glance.
Overall, it’s been a productive journey exploring these integrations and tweaking my automation setup. Each challenge presents a new learning opportunity, and I’m excited to see how these improvements will enhance my smart home experience!