Hi everyone, I wanted to share my recent success with setting up location-based lighting automation in my smart home. After some trial and error, I managed to create a system that not only works seamlessly but also adds a nice touch of convenience to my daily routine.
The Goal
I aimed to automate my lights based on whether both my wife and I are home or away. The idea was to have all lights turn off when we leave and turn on in the living room when either of us arrives, especially during the evening.
The Setup
I started by grouping both our devices under a single entity. This was crucial for the automation to recognize when both of us are away. For the lights, I created two separate automations:
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Away Mode
- Trigger: When both our devices switch from ‘home’ to ‘away’.
- Action: Turn off all bedroom and living room lights. This ensures energy efficiency when we’re out.
-
Welcome Home
- Trigger: When either of us enters the ‘home’ zone.
- Condition: Only activate if it’s between sunset and sunrise to save energy during the day.
- Action: Turn on the living room floor and dining lamps at 40% brightness. It’s a warm welcome without being too harsh.
The Results
This setup has been a game-changer. Coming home to a softly lit living room after a long day is incredibly comforting. Plus, knowing that the lights automatically turn off when we leave gives me peace of mind about energy usage.
Tips for Others
- Grouping Devices: Make sure both devices are correctly grouped. This was the key to ensuring the ‘away’ automation worked.
- Time Conditions: Using sunset and sunrise conditions prevents unnecessary light usage during the day.
- Brightness Adjustment: Starting with a lower brightness percentage ensures a gradual transition, which is easier on the eyes.
I hope this helps anyone looking to implement similar automation. It’s all about finding the right balance between convenience and efficiency!
Best regards,
[Your Name]