Home Assistant Podcast

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Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

Watch the full episode on YouTube

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Google Photos Integration and Energy Usage Monitoring in Home Assistant 2024.10

2 oktober 2024 | 48 min

In this episode 2024.10 of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne discuss many exciting updates which extend from YAML updates to Tesla Fleet and EV integration. From new Matter integration surprises to advanced dashboard customization features, this episode breaks down the key improvements you’ll want to implement in your home setup. Phil shares his hands-on experience with a Matter presence sensor, while Rohan discusses the latest support for button and valve entities, smart devices, and more. Whether you’re a seasoned automation enthusiast or just getting started, this episode offers plenty of insights to help you optimize your smart home.

Key Takeaways:

Home Assistant 2024.10 Release Overview: A comprehensive breakdown of the latest updates, including the new heading style card, Matter integration updates, and the introduction of button and valve entities.
Matter Integration Experiences: Phil's firsthand experience with a Matter-enabled presence sensor, from setup surprises to the challenges of managing devices through Amazon Echo.
Dashboard Improvements: The new heading style for Home Assistant dashboards allows for better organization and customization, with support for subheadings and sensor data integration.
YAML Updates: Changes to YAML formatting now allow for easier readability and section collapsibility, making automation scripting more intuitive.
Long-Term Statistics Repair: Home Assistant now offers better visibility and repair options for long-term statistics, helping users maintain accurate data tracking.
Tesla Fleet and EV Integration: Expanded support for Tesla vehicles, offering more control over climate, media players, and other essential features within the Home Assistant ecosystem.

Timestamps:

00:15 - Introduction
00:55 - Overview of Home Assistant 2024.10 Release
01:47 - New Dashboard Features - Heading Style
04:34 - Limitations of the New Heading Card
07:01 - Long-term Statistics Repairs
07:25 - Using SQLite vs MySQL for Data Storage
10:53 - YAML Updates - Pluralized Top-Level Items
14:37 - Automation UI vs YAML for Creating Automation
18:44 - Wish for Auto-Tagging YAML Automation
22:10 - Phil’s Experience with Matter Devices
24:00 - Phil’s Matter Integration with Amazon Echo
31:04 - Ring Device Updates - Motion Detection
35:59 - Assist Satellite for Upcoming Hardware
38:34 - YAML Editor Enhancements
45:46 - Limiting Template Render Output

https://hasspodcast.io/ha165/

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

https://hasspodcast.io/ha164/

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From Slopes to Smart Homes: Using Home Assistant for Ski Conditions and Traffic Tracking w/ Nick Dawson

18 september 2024 | 75 min

In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne are joined by Nick Dawson, a ski instructor, mountain guide, and passionate home automation enthusiast. The conversation takes a deep dive into Nick's unique approach to home automation, particularly how he integrates smart technology into his life both on and off the ski slopes. From automating his morning routine to ensuring his dog's safety while he's away, Nick's insights provide a wealth of practical advice for those looking to enhance their home automation setups.

Nick Dawson shares his journey of balancing a dual life as a ski instructor in the winter and a designer in the summer. His home automation setup reflects this balance, focusing on reducing cognitive load and ensuring safety, especially when he's an hour away on a ski mountain. Nick discusses how he began with simple smart devices and eventually embraced Home Assistant, despite initially finding it overwhelming. The episode explores a wide range of automation projects, including heating the garage on cold Montana mornings, scraping ski condition data to plan his day, and even using Frigate to detect his dog's barking. Nick also delves into the challenges and successes of room-level presence detection and his continuous quest to design a seamless, automated home experience.

Key Takeaways:

Reducing Cognitive Load: Nick's primary goal with home automation is to reduce cognitive load by automating tasks like adjusting thermostats and managing morning routines, allowing him to focus on more important aspects of his day.
Advanced Ski Automation: Nick discusses how he automates his ski-related tasks, including scraping data from weather stations and managing his drive to the ski resort, ensuring he has all the necessary information for a safe and efficient day on the slopes.
Innovative Dog Safety Measures: Nick uses various technologies, including Frigate and a whistle tracker, to ensure his dog's safety while he's away, showcasing how automation can provide peace of mind.
Home Automation as a Design Challenge: As a designer by trade, Nick approaches home automation as a design problem, aiming to create solutions that are not only functional but also intuitive and user-friendly.
The Struggles with Room-Level Presence Detection: Despite his best efforts, Nick has found room-level presence detection to be unreliable in his setup, highlighting the challenges many face with this advanced automation feature.

Chapters:

[00:00:00] - Introduction of Nick Dawson
[00:02:56] - How Nick Got Into Home Automation
[00:04:48] - Automating Tasks for Convenience
[00:14:47] - Automation and Reducing Cognitive Load
[00:21:59] - Home Assistant Dashboard
[00:32:23] - Home Automation Focused on Safety
[00:42:18] - Designing Home Automation Systems
[00:50:57] - Dashboard Design and User Experience
[01:08:09] - Room-Level Presence Detection Challenges
[01:12:18] - Future Projects and Home Automation Exploration
[01:14:17] - Conclusion

For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors:

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

https://hasspodcast.io/ha163/

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

HACS 2.0 and New Integration Features in Home Assistant 2024.9

4 september 2024 | 64 min

In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Phil Hawthorne and Rohan Karamandi, discuss the recent appointment of Paulus on the Z-Wave Alliance board, and dive into the improvements with HACS 2.0 and energy management discrepancies.

The hosts also highlight innovative use cases for technologies like LoRa and the integration of Claude LLM into Home Assistant. This episode is packed with insights, technical discussions, and a few fun anecdotes about their personal experiences with home automation setups.

Key Takeaways:

Z-Wave Alliance Board Appointment: Paulus joins the Z-Wave Alliance board, bringing a voice for open-source and home automation users.
HACS 2.0 Release: A major update to HACS has been released, providing a more integrated experience with Home Assistant and reducing API requests to GitHub.
Energy Management Improvements: New features in Home Assistant’s energy dashboard help users identify discrepancies in energy usage, providing a more accurate understanding of household energy consumption.
Yale Smart Lock Integration: Updates to the Yale Smart Lock integration for European users now include a WebSocket for real-time updates, reducing server strain and improving response times.
New Integrations: Introduction of Claude LLM, a new LLM model, and other new integrations such as Nice Geo and Fujitsu HVAC control, expanding Home Assistant's capabilities.
LoRa Technology in Home Automation: Discussion on the potential of LoRa technology for low-power, long-range communication in home automation, including experimental use cases like creating mesh networks for offline messaging.

Chapters:

Introduction to the Episode - (00:00:12)
Z-Wave Alliance Board Appointment (00:02:44)
Discussion on HACS 2.0 Update (00:06:34)
New iOS Widgets (00:11:15)
The headline feature for 2024.9 - The Dashboards (00:12:28)
Energy Management and Discrepancies (00:15:40)
Yale Smart Lock Integration Update (00:24:07)
KNX Integration Updates (00:30:56)
New Integrations and Features (00:31:13)
LoRa Technology Exploration (00:43:03)
Technical Discussion on LoRa Implementations (00:47:44)
Exploring Further Uses of LoRa Technology (00:53:30)
Potential Home Automation Applications for LoRa (00:57:32)
Conclusion (01:02:36)

For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at:

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

https://hasspodcast.io/ha162/

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Integrating and Advancing Smart Home Technologies with Nir Lavi

21 augusti 2024 | 62 min

In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne have a fascinating discussion with Nir Lavi, an enthusiast and active contributor to the home automation community. The conversation delves deep into Nir’s journey with home automation, focusing on the practical aspects and challenges of integrating advanced smart technologies into everyday life.

Nir shares his experiences, from early experimentation with home automation to the sophisticated systems he uses today. The discussion covers a wide range of topics including lighting, security, energy management, and redundancy in smart home setups. Nir’s insights provide valuable lessons for both beginners and seasoned home automation enthusiasts, making this episode a treasure trove of practical advice and innovative ideas.

Nir’s innovative projects include setting up a ring keypad, using millimeter wave sensors for presence detection, integrating a fingerprint scanner for secure home entry, and developing a OneDrive backup add-on for Home Assistant. His approach to automating routine tasks and enhancing the smart home experience highlights the importance of balancing technology with convenience and reliability.

Key Takeaways:

Predictive Maintenance: Utilizing energy consumption data to identify anomalies and predict potential failures in home appliances.
Touchless Automation: Implementing presence-based automation with millimeter wave sensors for a more intuitive and convenient smart home experience.
Voice Assistant Integration: The importance of local, cloud-independent voice assistants for enhanced privacy and reliability in smart home control.
Sensor Utilization: Maximizing the use of various sensors, such as air quality, CO2 levels, and water leak detectors, for a healthier and safer living environment.
Redundancy and Reliability: Ensuring the smart home remains functional even if the primary systems go down, highlighting the importance of failover mechanisms and backup plans.

Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction & Sponsorship

00:01:12 - Nir’s Background in Technology

00:02:01 - Early Smart Home Experiments

00:05:21 - Challenges with Smart Lighting

00:09:24- Smart Home Projects

00:10:51 - Smart Speakers

00:18:54- Automating the Roborock S7

00:24:10- Security Setup

00:26:37- Challenges with Redundancy & System Reliability on Home Security

00:35:23- Contributing to the Home Assistant Community

00:39:26- Presence Detection & Sensor Utilization

00:43:50- Challenges with Smart Home Dashboards

00:45:48- Redundancy in Smart Home Systems

00:54:28- Favorite Automation & Lighting Projects

00:56:38- Frigate and Camera Integration

01:01:16- Conclusion

For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

https://hasspodcast.io/ha161/

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Local LLM Integration and UI Updates in 2024.8

7 augusti 2024 | 59 min

In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, hosts Phil Hawthorne and Rohan Karamandi provide the latest updates and features of Home Assistant version 2024.8 and more! They discuss various topics, including the discontinuation of Telstra TV and Nike's self-lacing shoes, environmental concerns related to e-waste, and notable updates in the Home Assistant ecosystem, including new local LLM integrations, updates to the Home Assistant Yellow and Green devices, and enhancements to the user interface.

Key Highlights:

Background Discussion: Phil and Rohan go over the key features of the Home Assistant 2024.8 release, including updates to the dashboard, service calls, and new integrations.

Cloud Strikes Again: A lighthearted segment where Phil shares his experiences with tech products that have been rendered obsolete due to cloud service shutdowns, including the Telstra TV box and Nike's self-lacing shoes.

Home Assistant Yellow Update: Rohan provides insights into the latest updates for Home Assistant Yellow and Green, discussing their functionalities and the ease of use for beginners and advanced users. Home Assistant Blog Link: https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2024/08/01/streamlining-the-home-assistant-yellow-lineup/

New Integrations: A detailed discussion on the new integrations added in this release, including Otarco, Bright Evolution, Iron OS, and Tesla Fleet API.

Breaking Changes: An overview of the breaking changes introduced in this update, focusing on the impact on users and how to navigate them.

Chapters

00:00:15 Introduction and Sponsor Mention

00:01:30 Telstra TV Discussion Begins

00:03:35 Telstra TV Discontinuation

00:04:24 Environmental Concerns with E-Waste

00:07:00 Nike Self-Lacing Shoes

00:07:58 Frustration Over Discontinued Products

00:11:30 Home Assistant Yellow and Green

00:17:27 Wave JS and Home Assistant Green Performance

00:20:07 2024.8 Home Assistant Update

00:22:30 Transition from Services to Actions

00:26:30 Introduction of Local LLaMA AI

00:37:30 New UI for KNX Integration

00:42:00 YAML-Based Integrations Now Visible in UI

00:52:00 Wake Word Collective Announcement

00:55:55 Episode Conclusion and Closing Remarks

For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne

https://hasspodcast.io/ha160/

Twitter: @philhawthorne

Rohan Karamandi

Twitter: @rohank9

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Customize Your Home with Advanced Automation with Jason Shearer

19 juli 2024 | 73 min

In this episode of the Home Assistant Podcast, Rohan Karamandi and Phil Hawthorne have an engaging conversation with Jason Shearer, a long-time listener and an engineering leader in the technology industry.

Jason shares his fascinating journey from experimenting with home automation in his first condo to integrating advanced technologies into his current home. His expertise spans various domains, including lighting, irrigation, security, and energy management.

Jason's story is filled with intriguing projects, such as transitioning from SmartThings to Home Assistant, automating a sit-stand desk, and creating elaborate holiday light displays using individually addressable LEDs.

He delves into the importance of understanding energy consumption, leveraging predictive maintenance, and the integration of various protocols for a seamless smart home experience. Jason's innovative approaches and practical solutions provide valuable insights for both novice and experienced home automation enthusiasts.

Key Takeaways:

Predictive Maintenance: Using energy consumption data to identify anomalies and predict potential failures in home appliances.

Touchless Automation: Implementing presence-based automation with millimeter wave sensors for a more intuitive and convenient smart home experience.

Holiday Lighting Automation: Combining physical and software skills to create impressive holiday light displays, controlled via Home Assistant and MQTT.

Voice Assistant Integration: The importance of local, cloud-independent voice assistants for enhanced privacy and reliability in smart home control.

Sensor Utilization: Maximizing the use of various sensors, such as air quality, CO2 levels, and water leak detectors, for a healthier and safer living environment.

Chapters

00:16 Introduction

00:47 Guest Introduction

01:24 Consumer vs. Commercial Automation

03:03 Jason's Home Automation Journey

05:59 Lighting Automation and Christmas Decorations

09:58 Physical Setup and Cable Management

12:50 Weather Automation

15:20 LED Longevity and Replacement

17:36 Sequence Programming for Lights

22:06 Lighting Effects and Home Assistant Integration

28:01 Future Plans for Lighting Automation

31:56 ESP Home Projects

35:26 Leak Detection and Mitigation

49:55 Energy Monitoring

57:39 Daily Use of Automation

01:12:16 Closing Remarks

To learn more about Jason and his home automation projects, connect with him through the Home Assistant community.

For complete show notes and more information about the topics discussed in this episode, be sure to check the notes at

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors

Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS or YAML.

Hosts

Phil Hawthorne