Home Automation

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Home automation is the residential extension of building automation.

It is automation of the home, housework or household activity.

Home automation may include centralized control of lighting, HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), appliances, security locks of gates and doors and other systems, to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency and security.

Warning: Working with electricity can result in injury, property damage, or even death if it is not done properly. Please keep this in mind while assisting others. If you are not sure about what you are doing, hire a licensed professional.

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Best way to jerry-rig this old thermostat? (alien.top)

submitted 10 months ago by mtotho@alien.top to c/homeautomation@selfhosted.forum

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Idea: Some small actuator attached to an esp32 or something. Then calibrated either as binary off/65 or the whole range of temperatures. Then I'd hook it through to home assistant.

This is perhaps a silly endeavor, but I kind of want to do it anyway. I need to be able to control this thermostat. I only need to set it between off and ~66. I would love to replace the thermostat, but I am just renting.

Questions: Is this a completely dumb idea? If not, any ideas on the actual hardware? I already have some esp32 lying around. Is there a way easier idea I am not thinking of (short of replacing thermostat) or some existing product I can jerry rig to this?

Backstory: I live in an old apartment (early 1900/late 1800s). The only form of climate control is the classic metal radiators in every room, and a single thermostat who's measured temperature matches none of the rooms. In the summer I just use window units.

The radiators are fairly binary. So in the morning I just have to turn the thermostat to 1 degree above where it's at, and it sends the entire apartment 10 degrees hotter. My goal is to use some HA automations to turn this on/off at specific intervals.

https://preview.redd.it/ydx567izvwzb1.png?width=4032&format=png&auto=webp&s=411d8695f51604736bae74e7b3009f628d3e2c40

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[–] Funktapus@alien.top 1 points 10 months ago

I rented an apartment from a similar era. I just ripped it off and installed a Nest. Asking for forgiveness is easier than asking for permission.