3 Home Assistant automations I'd set up on day one if I started my smart home over

Home Assistant offers a wealth of possibilities for automating smart home devices. While many users begin with simple tasks like turning on lights as the sun sets, more advanced automations can be set up from the get-go. Here's what I would have done if I had started fresh with Home Assistant today.

First, I would have focused on optimizing heating costs in our old cottage. With no central heating or gas/oil systems, we relied on oil-filled radiators. These are efficient, but not as efficient as a split system HVAC unit. By using automations and smart plugs, I could have turned on the radiators during off-peak hours, say between 04:30 and 05:30 each morning, if the outside temperature was below 15 degrees Celsius.

This ensured the house was warm when we woke up without paying peak hour electricity rates. The downstairs radiators could come on for an hour at 17:00, followed by the upstairs radiators at 21:00. These automations could also be tied into our solar panels and battery storage system, making efficient use of available heat and minimizing utility bills.

Second, I would have installed a humidity sensor to tackle the moisture problem caused by human breath. A simple temperature and humidity sensor attached to a floor lamp in the living room could provide this data to Home Assistant. An automation could be set up to alert our phones when humidity levels exceed 70%. On particularly damp days when it reaches 75%, the heating system could turn on the oil-filled radiators. However, due to their inefficiency, I would delay this until we install air conditioning.

Lastly, I would have set up a morning routine automation to help me wake up at the desired time. Inspired by Joe RJ's script, I configured an automation that turned on the lights in my bedroom, kitchen, and upstairs hallway at 05:55 if it was a weekday. The lights would also adjust their brightness based on the outside light conditions.

This automation not only helped me wake up at 06:00 but also automatically adjusted our lighting based on the time of day, all without any extra effort from me. Starting with automations early in the Home Assistant setup can lead to a more efficient and comfortable smart home experience.