Remote Thermostat Monitoring and Control

[dgwete (David Wetelainen)]

I built a thermostat based on an Esp32 that I use to heat a detached garage to keep just above freezing (most commercial thermostats limit the lowest temperature setting). The Esp32 supports a Web server that allows me to turn the heat on/off and set the setpoint temperature via a web browser. I would like to move these functions to HA which I could probably do with MQTT. I want the thermostat to continue to control the temperature not HA, but to to use HA to turn on/off and set the temperature. My problem/question is that I want to use one of the available Thermostat Cards for a visually appealing dashboard presentation. I’m fairly new to HA and it seems all of the existing thermostat cards are climate dependent? I’m not sure how to proceed…
Thanks for any suggestions.

[tmjpugh]

@dgwete

I want the thermostat to continue to control the temperature not HA, but to to use HA to turn on/off and set the temperature.

This doesnt make sense. You want ha to control temperature of thermostat and turn on/off thermostat. That sounds like HA is thermostat; controlling temp and turning off/on. I believe I misunderstood so please explain.

[orange-assistant (the real one)]

@tmjpugh

@dgwete

I want the thermostat to continue to control the temperature not HA, but to to use HA to turn on/off and set the temperature.

This doesnt make sense

It does and it’s how I do it. In case HA crashes/restarts my thermostat continues to work on the other hand HA allows to control it fully and locally.

@dgwete

My problem/question is that I want to use one of the available Thermostat Cards for a visually appealing dashboard presentation. I’m fairly new to HA and it seems all of the existing thermostat cards are climate dependent? I’m not sure how to proceed…

Just install esphome on your esp32 and make use of the thermostat component

Getting Started with ESPHome and Home Assistant

Thermostat Climate Controller

Other advise is to ditch mqtt directly and use the superior native api

Native API Component

[dgwete (David Wetelainen)]

Ok thanks. I think I’ll try the ESPHome approach. It sounds like something I would be interested in. I’m redoing my thermostat with a Nextion display so now would be the time to re-code the project with ESPHome. Luckily, I have a few months before winter.