I’ve been really diving into optimizing my home’s energy usage lately, and I thought I’d share my experiences and some tips for anyone else looking to do the same. I started with the Shelly Plug S, which has been fantastic for monitoring individual devices. It gives me so much detailed data, and I was able to create a custom sensor to track the cost of electricity usage in real-time. Pairing this with the Tibber integration has been a game-changer for understanding how much each device is costing me.
However, I ran into a bit of a challenge when trying to set up the sensor to show costs per day, week, and month. After some research and tinkering, I figured out how to structure the YAML entries properly. It was a bit tricky, but the end result is so rewarding! Now, I can easily show my family how much we’re spending and where we can cut back.
Another thing I’ve been exploring is integrating my smart devices with Alexa for voice control. It’s amazing how much easier it makes managing my home. I did have some issues initially with a Wyze Cam not responding properly, but after checking the settings and ensuring the device was correctly paired, everything started working smoothly.
For anyone looking to get started with smart home energy management, I’d recommend starting small—maybe with a smart plug or two—and gradually expanding. It’s also worth checking out community forums for troubleshooting tips and creative solutions. Happy optimizing everyone! 
