HomeAssistantPublicConfig
Dr John's Home Assistant Configuration covers Velux windows, Drayton Wiser heating, Audio / Visual equipment, lighting and humidity controlled fans
Install / Use
/learn @DrJohnT/HomeAssistantPublicConfigREADME
Dr John's Home Assistant Configuration
Home Assistant has made numerous improvements to the way we live, making our lives easier in many ways. This repo is dedicated to the hard work of those who have put their heart and soul into this community.
Below I list the components, how they are used and why. In each section I try to highlight the key problems, the solutions and benefits gained.
Table of Contents
Climate Control
Remote Control Windows & Blinds
| <a href="https://www.velux.co.uk/products/roof-windows/integra">Velux Windows</a> | <a href="https://www.velux.co.uk/products/roof-windows/integra">Velux Blinds</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SHH26DG?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07SHH26DG">Velux Active CO<sub>2</sub> Sensor</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SHH26DG?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07SHH26DG">Velux Active Gateway</a> |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| <img src="./images/velux/velux_integra.png" width="200"/> | <img src="./images/velux/velux_integra_blind.jpg" width="200"/> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SHH26DG?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07SHH26DG"><img src="./images/velux/velux-active-netatmo-indoor-climate-sensor.jpg" width="200"/></a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07SHH26DG?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B07SHH26DG"><img src="./images/velux/veluxGateway.jfif" width="200"/></a> |
When I extended the apartment some years ago, I had five Velux Integra roof windows installed, each with their own blackout blind. Although Velux provide a remote control device, they use the IO-Homecontrol protocol for which there is no direct interface. After doing much research, I found an integration root: Velux Active works with Apple HomeKit which is a zeroconf Home Assistant integration! Now all five windows and five blinds can be controlled by Home Assistant and readings obtained from the Velux Active temperature / CO<sub>2</sub> sensors.
Note that Velux Active is touted as indoor climate control system which will keep your home fresh by period ventilation. This marketing speak equates to the system opening and closing your windows at random throughout the day, regardless of the outdoor temperature. Very unwelcome in the winter! The first thing I did was switch off all automations in the Velux app and implemented proper automations in Home Assistant.
One benefit of Velux Active is that it comes with a CO<sub>2</sub> sensor which also operates as a remote control for the windows in the same room. I now have an automation which opens the kitchen window when the CO<sub>2</sub> level reaches over 1250ppm or if either gets too hot, both of which often occur during cooking. Screenshots of my kitchen view can be seen here: Lovelace UI Screenshots
Central Heating & Hot Water
| <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GRPZQ1?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GRPZQ1">Drayton Wiser Multiroom Kit 2</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GNG6QF?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GNG6QF">Drayton Wiser TRVs</a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077ZZ4ZDT?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B077ZZ4ZDT">Drayton Wiser Roomstat</a> | Heating & Hot Water | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GRPZQ1?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GRPZQ1"><img src="./images/wiser/wiser_kit2.jpg" width="200"/></a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GNG6QF?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GNG6QF"><img src="./images/wiser/drayton-wiser-trv.png" width="200"/></a> | <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B077ZZ4ZDT?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B077ZZ4ZDT"><img src="./images/wiser/drayton_wiser_roomstat.jpg" width="200"/></a> | <img src="./images/wiser/electric-boilers-for-heating-and-hot-water.jpg" width="200"/> |
Like most homes the heating was either on or off with a single thermostat to control the temperature. So, once the boiler is on, then all the radiators get hot regardless. Obviously thermostatic radiator valves can reduce the temperature in certain rooms, but that does not cater for the following scenarios:
<ul> <li>When working from home, I want to switch off all the radiators in the rest of the home.</li> <li>When my partner is home alone, only the bedroom needs heating, so switch off all the radiators in the rest of the home</li> <li>When the family is about, I want the whole home heated</li> </ul>I found that I was constantly walking around the flat turning the radiator valves on and off manually. Clearly I needed remote controlled thermostatic values on each radiator which would allow me to set the temperature of each room individually.
I posted my requirements on the community forum so others could make suggestions. Then I fortunately came across the excellent Drayton Wiser Heat Hub integration for Home Assistant by @Angelo_Santagata and team is available on HACS as the Wiser Heating Component for Home Assistant
My central heating system also provides hot water, so I installed the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GRPZQ1?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GRPZQ1">Drayton Wiser Multiroom Kit 2</a> which caters for both. I supplemented the kit with five additional <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GNG6QF?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GNG6QF">Drayton Wiser Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)</a> and a additional room thermostat.
I simply replaced the existing controller with the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GRPZQ1?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GRPZQ1">Wiser Heat Hub</a> from the kit and valves could not be easier. I simply unscrewed the old radiator valves and replaced with the <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B075GNG6QF?ie=UTF8&tag=drjohnt60-21&camp=1634&linkCode=xm2&creativeASIN=B075GNG6QF">Drayton Wiser TRVs</a>.
I now have room by room heating control which adapts to where we are and what we are doing. Screenshots of my heating control can be seen here: Lovelace UI Screenshots
Every country has their own way of describing central heating systems and how they operate. In the UK, we rarely have integrated heating and cooling systems (HAVC), whereas these are commonplace in other countries with more extreme climates. For clarity, I include the final image above shows the pipework that underpins a typical British central heating & hot water system. As there are two valves controlling two sets of pipework, this is call by plumbers a 2-channel system. Note that central heating system is powered by a twenty year old Vaillant Boiler which is still going strong.
Audio / Visual
Years ago, I was a serious Hi-Fi buff, and this reflects in my choice of audio components found around the apartment. Originally, I had a Logitech Squeezebox Touch in every room streaming music from a central Logitech Music Server (LMS). Unfortunately, these units were discontinued by Logitech years ago and with the advent of high-quality streaming services such as Tidal, I was in dire need of a technology refresh. So I purchased a couple of Google Chromecast Audio devices and was amazed to find just how good they were! Firstly, they have a full dynamic range mode so that they can drive my stereo system to an acceptable level. Also, to my surprise they have a group mode so that the same music can be streamed to several rooms (i.e. multiroom). After a few months of running both systems in para
