Enter the power sensor entity that measures the live current draw of the appliance. Common devices with these sensors include smart plugs, energy meters, etc.
The automation is triggered when the applianceās current draw exceeds a set wattage.
The automation ends when the applianceās current draw falls below a set value.
Notification Options:
Send notification messages to one or multiple devices when the appliance starts, finishes or the watchdog is triggered.
Your end message can also include estimates of total power consumption and cost.
Include duration tracking in your end message to track the applianceās operational time for the task or cycle.
Notifications are compatible with both Apple iOS and Android devices, ensuring universal accessibility.
Power Tracking:
Utilize power tracking for estimating total power consumption and cost.
Disclaimer - These values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. Please avoid relying solely on these estimates for accuracy and use them at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or resulting losses, damages, inconvenience, or anything else that may occur.
Duration Tracking:
You can include duration tracking in your end message to monitor the applianceās operational time for each task or cycle
Watchdog:
The watchdog option monitors an appliance cycle completion.
It sends a notification if a cycle completion fails within the specified time frame.
Custom Actions:
Tailor custom actions to suit your preferences and needs, enhancing the automationās functionality.
Configure actions such as triggering announcements on platforms like The Voice (HA), Google, Alexa, etc., to keep you informed about appliance events.
Time-Based Automation:
Specify precise start and end times along with weekday selections to define when the automation can run.
Custom Conditions:
Enter any custom conditions to further customize the automation process.
The below image of our settings shows you the main setup (trigger) for this blueprint. You will need to enter and adjust all the trigger settings for the automation to work.
The Trigger Settings
Power Sensor
Enter in a power sensor entity that measures the power consumption of the appliance that you wish to be notified when it either starts and or finishes. The most common devices that achieve this are smart plugs.
Setting Up The Automation
The best way to work out your settings is to run your appliance once so Home Assistant can collect all the data. Once you have the data in Home Assistant we can look at the history of the power sensor. You will be able to see what current the appliance draws when it starts, running and when it is finished. The below history graph is a full wash cycle of my washing machine. I have drawn in some red lines to reference in this example, lines āAā and āBā.
If we look closely at line āAā we can see the washing machine draws around 8.4 watts from when it is turns ON, this is when we select our washing settings. We can also see when we actually start the washing machine to wash the clothes it draws above 11.2 watts for over 5 minutes.
Start - Appliance Power Setpoint - From the starting data we can enter in 10 watt for our setpoint. We have chosen this setpoint because it is a current value between the appliance just being turned ON at 8.4 watts to it actually running washing the clothes at above 11.2 watts.
Start - Power Time Delay - Because we know when it starts, it stays above 11.2 watts for 5 minutes we can set our time delay to 1 minute. The minute time delay helps to stop a false trigger if there was ever a short spike in power. If there was a short spike then the automation will not run.
Once we added in our start trigger settings we can then work out our end (OFF) settings. For this we will look at line āBā. Moving our mouse over the history data we can see the lowest value is 8.1 watts. Our washing machine turns itself OFF once finished to then drop down to 0.5 watts. If your washing machine or any appliance your using does not automaticity turn itself OFF then you will have to work out a current and time value that works for you.
Running - Dead Zone - Once the appliance starts, you can implement a dead zone to prevent a false end trigger. This is particularly useful when the power briefly dips below the applianceās end setpoint during the cycle after startup. Setting the running dead zone beyond this point ensures a reliable conclusion by preventing a premature end trigger.
If you observe a dip in watts below your endpoint during the cycle, this typically occurs around the same time once the cycle starts. By incorporating a dead zone beyond this point (but not before the endpoint), you can prevent this dip in watts from affecting the entire automation and receive a notification.
End - Appliance Power Setpoint - Because we know it turns itself OFF to then drop from 8.1 watts to 0.5 watts we chosen a setpoint of 5 watt.
End - Power Time Delay - We have also set a 1 minute time delay as it just helps to make sure we receive a true notification when it is finished.
That is it, your automation is set up. You may have to fine turn it but this will give you a good starting point on what settings to use for your appliance.
Select enable if you would like to be notified when the appliance starts.
Start Notify - Devices Notified When Started - Select the devices to be notified when the appliance starts.
Start Notify - Title - Enter in the notification title that you would like to receive when the appliance starts.
Start Notify - Message - Enter in the notification message that you would like to receive when the appliance starts.
Use The End Notify Options (Optional)
Select enable if you would like to be notified when the appliance finishes.
End Notify - Devices Notified When Finished - Select the devices to be notified when the appliance has finished.
End Notify - Title - Enter in the notification title that you would like to receive when the appliance has finished.
End Notify - Message - Enter in the notification message that you would like to receive when the appliance has finished.
Enable Power Tracking Option
This feature can include power information in your end notify message, or you can choose to only update the start and end helpers for use in your custom actions. The end notify options are to receive either the total kWh used in the cycle or the total kWh used along with an estimated cost for the cycle
Disclaimer - These values are estimates and should only be used as a guide. Please avoid relying solely on these estimates for accuracy and use them at your own risk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies or resulting losses, damages, inconvenience, or anything else that may occur.
For more information on how to create a number helper please Click Here
Custom Action Options
You can add any action you would like to perform at the start and / or the end. This is normally used if you would like to play an announcement on The Voice (HA), Google, Alexa, etc when the appliance has started and / or finished.
Use The Time Options (Optional)
Use the āStart Timeā, āEnd Timeā and āWeekdaysā values to only run the automation between the time periods. This can be useful if you ever run an appliance at night when you are sleeping and donāt want to be notified.
Start Time - Set the start time.
End Time - Set the end time.
Weekdays - Select the days of the week you would like the automation to run. You must select āEnable the time optionsā above for the weekdays selections to work.
Global Conditions
Enter any global conditions you would like to apply to the automation.
Ok ive setup automations for my washer before, the only issue is that the power drops between cycles of rinse and spin. So I have to set it to alert only if power is off for a good 5 minutes. I see you accunted for this. Great job. I use my speakers to announce its done, that would be a nice addition
Custom Action Options (Optional) - You can add any action you would like to perform at the start and / or the end. This is normally used if you would like to play an announcement on The Voice (HA), Google, Alexa, etc when the appliance has started and / or finished.
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Thanks again for adding the custom actions for notifications.
Another idea I had is adding in a filter/maintenence reminder. Instead of having seperate blueprints. Example, I have an ice machine and I added it to this blueprint. Adding another trigger for input_number 90 days everytime I change its filter would be nice. So it would tell me everytime it finishes a cycle and when it needs a new filter. Some things like the fridge I donāt need to know when itās turned off, but I can still use the filter alert setting.
There are some BPs that do this but Iād like it centralized and Appliance notifications and actions BP seems like a perfect place.
Hvac
Filter: yes
Threshold: 90 days
Power Sensor: none
Washer
Filter: none
Power sensor: sensor.washer_power
Threshold: 15 watts
Ice Machine:
Filter: yes
Threshold: 90 days
Power sensor: sensor.ice_power
Threshold: 6 watts
Etc
If you are looking for some type of notification on dates / time then have a look at my Calendar Notifications & Actions blueprint. Try and set up a calendar for service ( I have one for home and one for service) then put in you calendar events in service when you change the filter + 90 day and then it will notify you when to do it No need for input number. In this blueprint it can work of a key word or not. That is why it so good to set up a calendar for service and dont use key word, then every event you put into service you will get notified. One blueprint, one automation covers every service item. Just use the the title and description sensors built in so you know what your being notified of. Example
Ice machine filter
Fridge filter
Bins rubbish reminder
Fertilise lawn
Clean gutters
Check pool
Clean range hood filters
Change oil in lawnmower
Service XYZ
etc
Or you can use key word and have a custom automation tailored to your event
Yeah I saw that one too. There is another one out too but again i like one the idea of one , Iāll eventually edit this one myself. Just been busy. Thanks.
Yeh, I use that integration already. Itās just a faff setting up automations and notifications with it, wouldāve been nice to use a blueprint instead, no worries.
Okay looks like I should expand this to give more options. I think I am understanding what you are trying to do and see this can be a nice option to have.
If I need your help I will PM you to see if you would like to work through this with me and maybe beta test it.
If you are reading this and would like to be involved then let us know.
@hazio if you can PM me we will work through the wifi intergradation.
Now your blueprint for appliances is available - super!
I noticed that you use āminutesā as the unit for āPower Time Delayā, that works perfect for dishwashers and dryers. When it comes to my (well known) coffee machine, I would need āsecondsā as unit.