I currently have an Apple ecosystem and am considering the purchase of a W200. However, I have one criteria that I currently cannot find the answer to. Is it possible to switch from say AC mode to Heat mode based on outside temperature, not using an additional sensor? Outside temperature would be obtained from an internet source.
I know that I can create an Apple automation to periodically obtain local outside temperature and that I can create an if/then automation based on temperature. Does the W200 have this ability without using Apple automation? Can Apple automation change modes on W200?
Yes, and no, depending on whether you use Apple’s Adaptive Temperature mode or Aqara’s native scheduling mode.
Aqara scheduling mode:
Yes, the W200 pulls outdoor weather info from the cloud, so you can create an automation in the Aqara app that goes something like this as an example:
When outdoor temperature drops to 60°F, set the mode to Heat at 65°F.
It does require that you set a temperature, but you could follow that up with another action to switch to a specific preset.
Apple scheduling mode:
There are no native weather triggers for Home automations, but it seems you know this and have a workaround of sorts.
When setting heat/cool/auto mode, you do need to set a specific temperature. I haven’t tried it, but it seems like this would override Adaptive Temperature and thus may not be ideal as there is no automation for “return to normal schedule”.
You could still use the same Aqara automation in Apple scheduling mode, too, but again you run into the issue of having overridden Adaptive Temperature since there’s no “return to normal schedule” action in Aqara automations, either.
Let me further clarify:
My intent is solely use Apple for this rule based automation. First, Apple needs to be able to query W200 as to current mode, AC or heat. Once determined, the time of day will determine the temperature setting. Example: When in AC mode the temperature will be set to 77 at 0600 and 76 at 2130.
A separate Apple automation which mode, AC or heat, to be in. Example: An Apple query will determine outside temperature every 30 minutes. Should the outside temperature be less than 50 the automation would determine current mode and switch to heat mode if necessary. Conversely, if the outside temperature rises above 60 then the mode will be switched to cool.
Yes, but you also have to set the temperature. You can’t just switch the mode.
How this affects the system to an extent depends n whether you are using Apple Predictive Temperature or Aqara scheduling mode.
As opposed to Home Assistant, which is able to switch the hvac mode without specifying the temperature set point.
Ok, so you also can’t do conditionals in the Apple Home automations like that.
However, I just checked and apps like the Eve app allow you to not only specify conditionals like “if mode is cool” but also allow you to change the mode without specifying a temperature.
Most of what I want to do can be accomplished using Shortcut Automation and some Home Automation. I admit, I may have to use Aqara app, at least initially.
At this point I don’t have enough information to proceed. Additionally, Apple is reported to have some HomeKit enhancements in 26.5 coming prior to WWDC as well as even more enhancement with the release of 27 in Fall.
Though the W200 is currently receiving really favorable reviews and I have been selling the family on purchasing one, I am awaiting more technical interoperability information and/or personal experiences of interoperability.
Cheers