Hi everyone! I’ve been using Homey for about a month now, and it’s been a fantastic experience. I’ve managed to set up around 40 flows, automating everything from lights to alarms, and even adjusting settings when we’re watching a movie. It’s truly a remarkable product!
One area I’ve been particularly interested in is integrating weather forecasts into my smart home setup. I wanted to automate tasks like watering the garden or closing windows based on weather conditions. Initially, I found some discussions about using JSON files, but the process seemed quite cumbersome.
Then, I stumbled upon the Open Weather Map app in the Homey app store, and it turned out to be a game-changer! Here’s how I set it up:
Apps You’ll Need:
- Open Weather Map
Setup Steps:
- Get an API Key: Register on the Open Weather Map website to receive your free API key.
- Create a Virtual Sensor: In Homey, go to Devices and create a new virtual sensor. Choose the option for Actual Weather Forecast.
- Configure the Sensor: Name it something like “Actual Weather Forecast” and add your API key. Use your postcode and country code for the most accurate forecast. For example, mine is set to
7605EN,NL
. - Create Flows: I set up flows to notify me of weather changes, especially if I’m home or have guests. I also added a timeline to avoid notifications during late hours.
Weather Card on TV
For visualizing the weather on my TV, I found Ventusky to be an excellent resource. It provides detailed weather maps with radar and wind data. I created a custom URL with my location settings and added it to a flow that triggers when nothing is playing on the TV.
Tips for Success:
- Location Accuracy: Ensure your postcode and country code are accurate for the best forecast.
- Customization: Experiment with the settings on Ventusky to adjust the zoom level and transparency of wind indicators.
- Timing: Use timelines to control when weather notifications are sent to avoid disturbances.
I hope this helps someone looking to integrate weather forecasts into their smart home setup! If you have any questions or tips, feel free to share them below. Happy automating!