Using Scene or Group to change light states?

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Hey there!
Im kinda new to HomeAssistant, but I managed to get a lot ofcool stuff running :o)
Slwoly Im starting to get my Homematic IP automatisations into HomeAssistant.
Atleast all possible automatisations (dont get the HmIp Doorlock and the Buttons working).
Here Im waiting for this HomeMatic USB Stick, so I dont need the “IP” anymore and integrate my devices via Rasperrymatic. But its kinda hard to get this stick nowadays…

So I want to swap following scenarios from Homematic IP to HomeAssistant and Im not sure if I should use a scene or just a group for that.

  1. Ive got 9 lamps (3x HmIP-K-DRSI4) and 3 plugs.
    If I press a button on my Homematic 6 switch the “eco mode” turns on. means to turn off 5 lamps and all the plugs. But if I press eco Button when everything is turned off, the 5 lamps will turn on (the plugs stay off).
    I want this “eco” mode being available from my HomeAssistant Dashboard.
    Do I use a scene, or group the devices and turn the group on/off?

  2. If my motion sensor sensors motion :o) and eco mode is activatet, all lamps and the plugs should turn on. Same question group or scene?

  3. A Button for turning all lamps and the plug off. And the same question, group or scene?

Is there a general kind of rule telling me when to use a scene and when to use groups?

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A group is for logically grouping a set of devices. Like your lamps, if you want to control them as a single device. This could be in the UI - in response to an automation, etc. I usually save them for when I want to abstract things like ‘Bedroom lights’ referring to the collection of all my lights in the bedroom so my wife can set the ‘bedroom lights’ to 50% and not have to worry about popping each lamp individually. It’s an ease of use thing.

Scenes, are collections of settings. You use a scene when you want to apply a collection of settings to various devices. Your scene CAN apply to all of the devices in a group - or not. Scenes don’t have native UI elements so you will have to create an automation or button or otherwise go to the ‘scenes’ portion of the UI to edit / trigger them.

I use groups for UI elements, I use Scenes to store settings I want to apply in automations, your use may vary. Specifically, I have a bank of 6 blinds (covers) But they’re all in my dining room windows, so I want them to operate as one. All 6 blinds are a member of a cover group - so it operates as one.

The entity of that group is in my dining_room_night_vacant scene which sets the lighting appropriately and closes all six of the blinds. But the key here is by editing the group to add or remove members - the scene automatically adjusts because it’s automating the group - not the individual elements.

It’s ultimately up to you HOW you do it - that’s the flexibility of HA .

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