Hello everyone! I’m thrilled to share my recent project where I integrated the Shelly 3EM into my smart home setup to monitor and manage energy consumption. This journey has been both challenging and rewarding, and I’d love to walk you through it and share some tips along the way.
My Project Overview
I’ve been working on optimizing my home’s energy usage, particularly focusing on heating and hot water systems. The Shelly 3EM has been an invaluable tool in this endeavor. By connecting it to my water boiler, I can now track energy consumption in real-time and automate responses based on the data collected.
The Challenge
Initially, I faced a common issue during winter when solar production was inconsistent. The PV system often didn’t meet the required 1000W threshold, leading to inefficiencies in heating. This prompted me to explore how I could adjust the boiler’s operation dynamically using the Shelly 3EM alongside an AV Dimmer and ESP32.
The Solution
After some research and experimentation, I discovered that integrating the Shelly 3EM with an AV Dimmer and ESP32 allowed me to create a dynamic system. The Shelly 3EM monitors energy usage, while the ESP32 processes this data to adjust the AV Dimmer, ensuring the boiler only uses the available solar energy. This setup not only optimizes energy use but also reduces reliance on the grid.
Tips and Tricks
- Data Logging: Regularly log energy consumption data to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
- Automation: Use scenes and rules to automate responses to energy usage thresholds. For example, dim the boiler when solar production drops below a certain level.
- Integration: Experiment with different devices and protocols to find the most efficient setup. The combination of Shelly, ESP32, and AV Dimmer worked perfectly for my needs.
- Monitoring: Keep an eye on the system’s performance and be ready to tweak settings as needed. Energy usage can vary significantly with seasonal changes.
Conclusion
This project has been a fantastic learning experience, and I’m excited to see how it evolves further. The Shelly 3EM has proven to be a versatile and reliable device, and I highly recommend it for anyone looking to enhance their energy management capabilities. If you’re considering a similar setup, don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m happy to share more details or troubleshoot any issues you might encounter!
Happy tinkering! 