As a homeowner always on the lookout for ways to optimize my smart home setup, I recently stumbled upon an exciting project that has significantly enhanced my daily routine and energy efficiency. I’d like to share my experience with the ESPome Vortex project, a smart controller designed for Vortex BWO 155 hot water circulation pumps. This innovation has transformed my pump into a self-learning, intelligent device fully integrated with Home Assistant. ### What It Does The Vortex controller learns my household’s hot water usage patterns over time. It automatically runs the pump just before we need hot water, eliminating the wait and saving energy. The system adapts to our schedule, running the pump only when necessary—no more 24/7 operation! ### Key Features - Machine Learning: Builds a weekly usage pattern to predict when hot water is needed. - Smart Water Draw Detection: Monitors temperature differentials to detect actual water usage. - Energy Monitoring: Tracks energy consumption per cycle, helping me understand usage trends. - Web Dashboard: Offers a heatmap visualization of learned usage patterns, which is both informative and visually appealing. ### Integration with Home Assistant The device seamlessly integrates with Home Assistant, providing real-time temperature readings, energy statistics, and control buttons. I can automate notifications for pump activity, disable automatic operation when away, and track energy usage over time. ### Hardware and Setup The controller uses an ESP32-C6 microcontroller with temperature sensors and a USB-C power supply. It fits perfectly into the original pump carrier, making installation straightforward. ### My Experience Since installing this system, I’ve noticed a significant reduction in wait times for hot water and a noticeable drop in energy consumption. The ability to monitor and control the pump through Home Assistant has been a game-changer. ### Looking for Collaborators! The project is fully functional and has been running reliably in my home. If you’re interested in participating or purchasing a PCB, the creator is open to collaboration. It’s a fantastic opportunity to contribute to a community-driven smart home solution. This project is a prime example of how innovative hardware and software integration can enhance our living spaces. If you’re passionate about smart home automation and energy efficiency, I highly recommend exploring this project further! Interested in learning more or collaborating? Let’s discuss in the comments below! 