I’ve recently embarked on a journey to integrate my Kasa smart plugs with some affordable temperature and humidity sensors I picked up from Amazon. While the concept seems straightforward, getting everything to work seamlessly was a bit of a brain teaser, especially for someone relatively new to the world of smart home automation. Let me walk you through my experience and how I managed to pull it off.### The GoalMy objective was to create a system where a smart plug would automatically turn on when the temperature dropped to 65°F or lower and switch off once the temperature rose to 70°F or higher. This setup would control a small space heater, ensuring my living room stays comfortably warm without manual intervention.### The ChallengeAt first glance, the logic seemed simple enough: if temperature is below 65°F, turn the plug on; if it’s above 70°F, turn it off. However, translating this into a functional routine within the SmartThings ecosystem proved to be more complex than I anticipated. I struggled with understanding whether I needed separate routines for turning the plug on and off or if I could achieve everything with a single routine.### The SolutionAfter some research and experimentation, I discovered that creating two separate routines was the most effective approach. Here’s how I structured it:#### Routine 1: Turn Plug On When Temperature is Low- Condition: Temperature is less than or equal to 65°F- Action: Turn on the smart plug#### Routine 2: Turn Plug Off When Temperature is High- Condition: Temperature is greater than or equal to 70°F- Action: Turn off the smart plugBy setting up these two routines, I ensured that the space heater would only activate when needed and shut off once the desired temperature was reached. This dual-routine setup provided the clarity and control I was seeking.### Lessons Learned1. Start Simple: Don’t overcomplicate your automation goals. Break them down into manageable parts.2. Experiment: Use manual triggers to test your routines before relying on them for daily use.3. Leverage Multiple Routines: Sometimes, achieving your desired outcome requires multiple routines working in harmony.### Final ThoughtsWhile the initial setup was a bit overwhelming, successfully integrating my smart plug with the temperature sensor has been incredibly rewarding. It not only adds convenience but also helps in maintaining a comfortable living environment. If you’re new to smart home automation, remember that patience and persistence are key. Happy automating!