Hi,
I was thinking about upgrading my heating system by adding smart thermostats and connect them with family’s phones. As I have water underfloor heating I would have to buy 4 (or 5 if I want to control a temp. also in the hall) thermostats, wiring centre, a zigbee bridge to be sure those thermostats will work properly and of course actuators (but these I will need anyway). All together will cost approx. 680 - 700 EUR. So I was thinking about buying 3x Sonoff DC 4CH (45 EUR for all), connect them to actuators (I have 12 zones = 125 EUR), 4 or even 5 temperature sensors (5 x 25 EUR = 125 EUR). All together should be around 300 EUR. Now the question is, if I will be able to configure Home Assistant the way I can change the temperature by using Home app on iOS? Basically, is there any way to configure “virtual temp. reglator” that will be visible in Home app. Furthermore, once the temperature is set up, Home Assistant has to be able to keep it by opening or closing actuators assigned to each room? I hope this is understandable. If there could be a similar topic, what should I look for?
I have seen a few threads along these lines lately:
I haven’t done what you’re trying to do, so I can’t really answer the technical questions. And you’ll see some of my general ideas in the above threads.
I will say that you need to think about the long-term reliability and maintainability of whatever you install. I have no idea what sort of climate you’re in, or if you ever plan to sell this home, but HA is still in development. Even if it works, other people (potential buyers, family members, code enforcement officers, etc.) may not see this as a good solution.
I really like my ecobee in HA, and sensors. Have a small zone of a vestibule which is run by using a climate card with a Shelly 1 controlling a 25V Tyco valve, and an extra button battery ecobee sensor discovered by the integration. Shelley 1 has 25 v and 120 V so pulling power before and after the transformer, is ideal. Downside was reboots of HA required a automation on restart to reset climate card, as it would annoyingly default to values not set. Not zigbee but works several ways, and HA app shows well on phones.
PS ecobee with Alexa is very convenient…to raise heating a few degrees for 2 hours from anywhere while keeping lower temperatures. Using the bedroom sensor at night, instead of Main Floor. I use the HA Alexa. Media Player to request a Room Report to relay key temperatures audibly with external real feel temps. Check out DrZzzs YouTube on Thermostats/DIY
Yes, I watched his movies and it seems that generic_thermostat is what I am looking for. Now I just need to find the best zigbee sensors and compare to Salus solution (wiring centre + actuators + thermostats + bridge).
How long have you been running HA? Still a work in progress. Recommend an Ecobee, I am curious on Wyse thermostats. Just had to restore and revert a HACs upgrade and my thermostats are hosed. Test before you commit. Dedicated with integrations are the way to go…