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FAQ: How Do I Set Up the Energy Tracking Option?

1. What is the Energy Tracking Option?

The Energy Tracking Option estimates how much energy (kWh) a device uses during each completed cycle. Optionally, it can also estimate the cost of that energy usage and include this information in the end notification.

2. What Do I Need to Use This Option?

To enable full energy tracking, you’ll need:

  • A sensor that reports energy usage in kWh (not Watts).
  • A sensor or input number helper that provides the electricity rate (cost per kWh) (optional, for estimated cost).
  • Two input_number helpers:
    • One to store the start kWh value.
    • One to store the end kWh value.

3. What If I Only Want to Use the Start and End Helpers?

You can choose the option:
“Enable - Update Start & End Helpers Only”

This lets you:

  • Record the start and end energy values for each cycle.
  • Use them in your own automations or calculations in Home Assistant.
  • Skip sending energy information in the notification.

4. What Kind of Energy Sensor Should I Use?

You must use a sensor that:

  • Reports increasing total energy (kWh) values, not live power usage (W).
  • Does not reset during the cycle - for example, most sensors provide daily totals, which is usually fine as most cycles complete on the same day. However, be aware that daily sensors typically reset at midnight, which can cause issues when calculating energy usage for cycles spanning two days.
  • Updates frequently enough to capture accurate values at the start and end of the cycle.

Note: If your sensor updates infrequently, the snapshot taken at the start or end may not reflect the actual usage at that exact moment. This can affect the estimated values.

5. How is the Estimated Cost Calculated?

The formula is:

Estimated Cost = (End kWh - Start kWh) × Cost per kWh

The cost rate is captured at the end of the cycle and used for the full calculation, even if the rate changes during the cycle.

6. Can I Customize the Notification Labels?

Yes. You can set:

  • The title before the energy usage value (e.g., “Consumption” → “Consumption 0.56 kWh”).
  • The title before the estimated cost (e.g., “Approx Cost $” → “Approx Cost $0.42”).

7. How do I create an electricity rate number helper?

You may already have an electricity rate sensor that adjusts dynamically throughout the day as your pricing changes. Keep in mind that this blueprint captures the rate when the appliance ends, and that value remains constant for the entire cycle, even if your sensor’s value changes based on the time of day. This may lead to an inaccurate estimated cost if your electricity pricing varies during the cycle. As long as the sensor reports the cost per kWh, you can use it.

If you don’t have a sensor, or you’d prefer to use a fixed electricity rate, you can create a number helper instead:

Note: This helper can be reused across all your automations.

  1. Go to Settings > Devices & Services, click on the Helpers tab, then click + CREATE HELPER and select Number.

  2. See the example below of my Electricity Rate number helper:

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    Example of the Electricity Rate in the UI

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8. How do I create the start and end number helpers?

You will need to create two number helpers: one for the start and one for the end. These helpers must be completely independent and only used in one automation and in one input.

  1. Go to Settings > Devices & Services, click on the Helpers tab, then click + CREATE HELPER and select Number.

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  2. Enter a name for your number helper and choose an icon if you like.

  • Min / Max – For the start and end number helpers, set the maximum to a value higher than you’ll ever need. I recommend using 10 million (10,000,000, that’s 7 zeros). If needed, just keep adding more zeros. The minimum value should be set to 0.

  • Display mode – Since I am not using it as a slider in the UI, I selected ‘Input field’.

  • Step size – I recommend setting this to 0.001.

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  1. You’re done. Now just add the two number helpers to the Energy Tracking - Start Number Helper and Energy Tracking - End Number Helper inputs in your automation.

Enjoy

Blacky :smiley:

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