Hey everyone! I recently came across a really useful rule template in the OpenHAB community that monitors the power consumption of a washing machine and sends an alert when it finishes. I thought I’d share my experience setting it up and how it’s made my life a bit easier.
First, I wanted to automate the alert system because I often forget to check the washing machine when it’s done. Using a smart plug to monitor power consumption seemed like the perfect solution. The rule template uses the power item to track consumption and triggers an alert when it drops below a certain threshold.
Here’s how I set it up: I configured the power item to track the washing machine’s plug, set a threshold of 2 watts (since that’s when the machine typically turns off), and linked it to my Hue light’s alert channel. The rule checks the power consumption every minute and sends a command to flash the light when it detects the machine has finished.
One thing I found a bit tricky was getting the alert command right. I initially tried using the wrong command, but after some trial and error, I figured out that ‘LSELECT’ was the correct one for my Hue setup. Now, whenever the washing machine finishes, my light flashes, and I get a notification on my phone.
This setup has been a lifesaver, especially when I’m busy with other tasks. It’s also been a great way to ensure I don’t leave the machine running for too long, which helps save energy. If anyone else is looking to automate their laundry routine, I highly recommend checking out this rule template!
Would love to hear if others have similar setups or any tips to make it even better. Happy automating! 