Home Assistant Podcast

Episod

• Home Assistant 2026.6, E‑Ink Unboxing, Yoto, and Smarter Automations 03.06.2026 1j 1min

  Rohan and Phil are breaking down the 2026.6 release, which features updates for Infrared, Purpose specific triggers and conditions. Plus we talk KVM’s, eInk displays and starting from scratch in 2026.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA236Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:04:30 - New Works With HA gear00:06:30 - Open Display collab, e‑ink00:12:00 - E‑ink uses and costs00:16:30 - OHF privacy paper00:18:30 - RF and plugs00:26:00 - JetKVM and PiKVM talk00:29:30 - 2026.6: IR receivers00:34:30 - Dashboards and Matter BLE00:36:32 - Cards and automations00:42:30 - Z‑Wave, Sonos, Reolink, Tuya00:47:30 - New integrations roundup00:54:30 - Breaking changes00:56:30 - Fresh HA vs restore01:00:00 - UniFi hiccup resilience01:02:00 - Wrap‑up and calloutsThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Products DiscussedJetKVM IP KVM: https://amzn.to/4wU1bEOYale Z‑Wave smart locks: https://amzn.to/4visNSlMyPropane tank monitor: https://amzn.to/3QjJZbnYoto audio player: https://amzn.to/4xlZhNJProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• MiciMike will turn your Google Home Mini into a Home Assistant Voice Satellite 26.05.2026 58min

  Imre is a Home Assistant user, who was frustrated with his Google Home mini, so he created a PCB that can turn your Google Home Mini into a Home Assistant Voice SatelliteWatch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA235Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome & sponsors00:02:30 - Imi’s smart home origin00:05:00 - Lights first, then sensors00:07:30 - Heating logic in Node-RED00:10:00 - Room presence tactics00:12:30 - Millimeter wave realities00:15:00 - Cameras, alarms, UniFi00:17:30 - Notifications via Telegram00:20:00 - AI greetings at the door00:22:30 - Protocols: Zigbee to Matter00:25:00 - Wi‑Fi at scale pitfalls00:28:30 - Voice stack & languages00:31:30 - MickiMic: project intro00:35:00 - Drop‑in PCB details00:38:00 - HA Voice compatibility00:41:00 - Gen2 plans & audio00:44:00 - Echo future & limits00:47:00 - Firmware hurdles00:49:30 - Crowdsupply journey00:53:00 - Pricing & sustainability00:56:00 - What’s next & thanksThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Products DiscussedMiciMic PCB (Google Home Mini drop-in board): https://www.crowdsupply.com/micimike-rev-devices/micimike-home-mini-drop-in-pcb#productsGoogle Home Mini (Gen 1): https://amzn.to/3RtvxxGProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Giovanni’s Self-Hosted Home 19.05.2026 58min

  Giovanni joins Rohan and Phil to dive into a fully local, privacy-first smart home. We cover Home Assistant on an Intel N100, Shelly devices, Zigbee vs Wi‑Fi, ESP32 Bluetooth proxies, Frigate with a Coral TPU, Reolink cams, and smart lighting with pets.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA234Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:05:00 Local-only gear and protocols00:12:00 Lighting, presence, and pets00:18:00 Cameras, Frigate and automations00:27:20 Media servers00:33:00 Plex vs Jellyfin00:41:00 Nextcloud and Immich photos00:47:00 Backups and offsite strategy00:53:00 Security, reverse proxy, wrap-upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Clean My MacGet Tidy Today! Get 7 days free and use our code ASSISTANT for 20% offProducts DiscussedIntel N100 mini PC: https://amzn.to/3OP00FINVIDIA Shield TV: https://amzn.to/4w9E2OkGoogle Coral USB TPU accelerator: https://amzn.to/4cNVot1Products we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Mark's Home Assistant Setup: The Good, The Bad, The Exploded Server 12.05.2026 52min

  Mark went from a rocky SmartThings world to a rock-solid Home Assistant install. He shares his tails of disaster and recovery, as well as his journey from Tasmota to ESPHome.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA233Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:00 - SmartThings beginnings and first automations00:06:00 - Old timers to cameras after a theft00:09:30 - Discovering Home Assistant and server build00:16:00 - From Node-RED to cleaner HA automations00:19:50 - Reolink AI triggers outside lighting00:23:30 - Server failure and Proxmox migration00:28:30 - UPS woes and garage door backup issue00:38:00 - Presence, Ecobee, salt and propane projects00:44:00 - Matter locks, long-range Z-Wave ideas00:49:00 - New Overview, Alarmo plans, wrap-upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Products DiscussedAladdin garage door openers (with battery backup): https://amzn.to/4mxGfPlProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis video contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Home Assistant 2026.5 introduces RF and RS-232 Control 06.05.2026 1j 5min

  We’re diving into Home Assistant 2026.5 and re-capping the highlights from State of the Open Home 2026. There’s new RS-232 serial control, dashboard strategies, and more purpose-specific triggers.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA232Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:10:30 Roadmap deep-dive and HTTP 8000:15:30 Easter eggs, Project BLAST, merch00:19:30 IR databases and Z-Wave spectrum00:23:00 2026.5: RS-232 and RF proxies00:28:30 RF rolling codes and SDR hopes00:31:30 Dashboards: strategies and shortcuts00:36:00 Vacuums chat and power strip ad00:41:00 Purpose-specific triggers (Labs)00:44:00 MQTT, Matter, ESPHome updates00:46:30 Shelly, Sonos, groups, and S1/S200:50:30 Apple TV typing, WLED, notifications00:54:00 Immich photos, Subaru, and UniFi00:57:00 New integrations roundup01:00:00 Breaking changes: Ring, webhooks01:01:30 Template docs overhaul01:02:30 Network outage story and resilience01:05:30 Wrap-up and sign-offThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Products DiscussedBroadlink RM4 Pro (433 MHz IR/RF blaster): https://amzn.to/4tesZk8UniFi Protect PoE Smart Siren: https://amzn.to/4w4ZWChProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• How FireAvert wants to prevent house fires with a smart home twist 21.04.2026 47min

  We’re sitting down with Nick and Larsen from FireAvert to talk about how FireAvert aims to stop house fires, and how they can tie into smart home systems like Home AssistantWatch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA231Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro and Sponsors00:04:00 What FireAvert Does00:08:00 Technical Challenges and Detection00:12:00 Form Factor and Installation00:16:00 Accuracy, ML, and Notifications00:20:00 Smart Automations and Control00:24:00 Product Evolution and Z-Wave/LoRa00:31:00 Risk Areas: Kitchens, EVs, Dryers00:35:00 Water Leaks and Mitigation00:39:00 Startup Lessons and Team00:43:00 Home Assistant Dev and Roadmap00:46:00 Global Availability and Wrap-upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Products DiscussedFireAvert Gas Auto Shut-Off: https://amzn.to/4vLz0rlProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• How Mike is making heating smarter with Home Assistant 14.04.2026 1j 10min

  Industrial data pro Mike joins Phil and Rohan to unpack his Home Assistant setup. We dive deep into Node‑RED flows, mmWave presence, actionable dashboards, and AI‑assisted automations—including recognizing his own cat and verifying the right bin is curbside.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA230Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:28 - Mike’s background and location00:03:43 - From OpenHAB to Home Assistant00:06:11 - Cloud vs local pragmatism00:09:40 - Zigbee, Thread and Matter lessons00:12:17 - Distributed hardware and Docker setup00:16:08 - Family UX and presence ethos00:20:26 - PIR, mmWave and context signals00:24:41 - Automations with Node‑RED00:29:50 - AI‑assisted automation building00:34:44 - Dashboards and notifications00:43:42 - Cameras, AI and the cat00:50:59 - Smarter heating and preheating01:03:33 - Actionable notifications philosophy01:05:40 - Evangelizing at work and wrap‑upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.Clean My MacGet Tidy Today! Get 7 days free and use our code ASSISTANT for 20% offProducts DiscussedAqara Cube: https://amzn.to/47C7YImIntel N100 Mini PC: https://amzn.to/4v13dC8Oral‑B Electric Toothbrush: https://amzn.to/4tfVoGVProducts we RecommendHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeePrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Braden’s Reliable, Low-Cost Home Automation System With Zero YAML Powered by Home Assistant 08.04.2026 59min

  Electrical engineer Braden joins Phil and Rohan to share practical Home Assistant wins. From migrating to Zigbee2MQTT, taming a Whirlpool ice maker with ESPHome, building a garage door opener, and planning a sensor-packed greenhouse lab.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA229Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:23 - Meet Brayden in Windy Indiana00:03:35 - From Hue to Home Assistant00:08:50 - Greenhouse Lab Plans00:12:45 - Nursery Voice and Motion Tactics00:18:20 - RFID Cards for Kids’ Media00:29:00 - Zigbee2MQTT, Aqara, Litter Box Hack00:36:40 - ESPHome: Ice Maker and Garage00:43:40 - Power Monitoring and Breakers00:47:00 - Unifi, Cameras, and ZBT-200:52:30 - Agents, Dashboards, and Presence01:00:20 - Wrap-up and ThanksThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.Apollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comNotionNotion is an AI-powered, connected workspace for teams. Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one space that just works. Try Custom Agents now at https://notion.com/homeassistantHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeePrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Infrared is cool again with Home Assistant 2026.4 31.03.2026 53min

  Home Assistant 2026.4 is here! We break down Infrared as a first‑class feature with IR proxies, expanded purpose‑specific triggers, dashboard background colors, favorites for lights/covers, Matter lock credential management, and more. We also cover a critical HA OS/Supervisor security patch you should apply now.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA228Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro, sponsors, housekeeping00:02:30 2026.4 overview and event00:05:00 Security alert and patch tips00:07:30 New Works With partner: HeatIt00:10:00 Feedback: Frigate and Litter‑Robot00:12:30 Thread/Matter experiences and FP30000:15:00 Local LLMs and home agents00:17:30 Cat litter → RoboRock cleanup00:20:00 Entity naming change delayed00:23:00 Infrared goes first‑class00:26:00 IR proxies now, RF coming00:28:30 Purpose‑specific triggers expand00:31:00 Dashboard background colors00:33:30 Favorites for lights and covers00:36:00 Matter lock credentials, locks00:38:30 Robots: Roborock Q10, SmartThings00:41:00 Jellyfin and Proxmox updates00:43:30 Voice cleaning, backup progress00:46:00 Markdown actions, LG IR nuances00:48:30 New integrations roundup00:51:00 E‑ink, energy, access, breaking changesThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comApollo AutomationApollo Automation are the makers of open source smart home sensors built for the Home Assistant ecosystem. They're an official Open Home Foundation commercial partner and their devices are built with local control, privacy, and reliability in mind, giving you full control and flexibility right out of the box.HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis video contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Home Assistant On Wheels: We’re going Inside the SmartyVan 24.03.2026 1j 10min

  Director-turned-vanlifer Mike from the YouTube channel SmartyVan shows how he turned a bare Mercedes Sprinter into a fully automated, off‑grid smart RV powered by Home Assistant and ESPHome. We cover DC power realities, alternator charging vs solar, Starlink on the move, Bluetooth presence, wired vs Zigbee sensors and PoE cameras with Frigate. Perfect for vanlife, RV, and tiny home builders.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA227Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro, sponsors, Mike arrives00:05:00 - From Sprinter shell to smart RV00:10:00 - Power: solar, alternator, efficiency00:16:00 - Home Assistant in a DC world00:22:00 - Pi 4, microSD, backups00:28:00 - Internet, Starlink, offline logic00:35:32 - Van automations that matter00:41:00 - Service mode and shop visits00:47:00 - Presence without motion sensors00:53:00 - OBD-II, WICAN, vehicle data00:59:00 - Wired sensors vs Zigbee01:05:00 - Cameras, Frigate, PoE control01:09:00 - What’s next and where to findThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comNotionNotion is an AI-powered, connected workspace for teams. Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one space that just works. Try Custom Agents now at https://notion.com/homeassistantProducts DiscussedGoogle Coral USB TPU accelerator: https://amzn.to/4cNVot1Aqara contact sensors: https://amzn.to/4utywFkHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episodes contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Kaden‘s Cat-Tracking Smart Home with Home Assistant and Frigate 17.03.2026 58min

  We’re diving into Kaden’s cat-first smart home: Reolink + Frigate for pet detection, PetLibro feeders, and a Litter-Robot 4 all tied together with Home Assistant and LLM-generated dashboards.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA226Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:03:35 From HomeBridge to Home Assistant00:07:20 Cat cams and Frigate detection00:12:45 Smart feeders and litter box00:16:40 Human presence and privacy00:20:50 Garage automation journey00:24:42 State models and sponsor break00:30:50 Wall tablet dashboards00:36:27 Water monitoring with RTL-SDR00:40:32 Energy tracking and panel CTs00:44:52 Cutting server power draw00:48:06 WLED beats Govee cloud00:51:00 BLE proxies and neighbors00:54:00 On-call alerts and alarms00:56:20 Wrap-up and linksThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comClean My MacGet Tidy Today! Get 7 days free and use our code ASSISTANT for 20% offProducts DiscussedPetLibro automatic feeder: https://amzn.to/4bh3NnjPetLibro water fountain: https://amzn.to/4aIDjLsWhisker Litter-Robot 4: https://amzn.to/4ch47DISamsung Galaxy Tab A9 Plus: https://amzn.to/4rVv0lmNVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti: https://amzn.to/4tZ8NodGoogle Coral AI Accelerator (referenced): https://amzn.to/4r44S6EHome Assistant Connect ZWA2 radio (ad): https://amzn.to/47jdYp3HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Home Assistant AI Deep Dive: LLM Vision, Copilot, OpenClaw & More 10.03.2026 53min

  Phil and Rohan go deep on practical AI for Home Assistant. We cover LLM Vision for doorbell and perimeter alerts, HACS add‑ons like AI Agent and AI Suggester, and using GitHub Copilot to generate YAML automations. Rohan shares his Ollama + LiteLLM routing setup and why private cloud models might beat pay‑per‑token APIs. Phil battles OpenClaw (aka MoltBot/Claude Bot) to control lights via MCPWatch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA225Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:02 - Rohan’s AI stack today00:09:00 - HA’s built-in AI + Copilot00:18:00 - HACS: AI Agent & Suggester00:26:24 - LLM Vision in practice00:37:00 - OpenClaw, MCP, and gotchas00:47:00 - Do we need agents? Use cases00:51:00 - Costs, feedback, and outroThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedReolink AI Security Cameras: https://amzn.to/3OwwLH2HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Home Assistant 2026.3: Vacuuming rooms, and the sky is dark again 04.03.2026 55min

  Breaking down Home Assistant 2026.3: map vacuum rooms to Areas for voice control, set HA as your default Android assistant with wake word support, SendSpin multi-room updates, Python 3.14 performance gains, and new integrations for Ghost, Proxmox, SwitchBot AI Art Frame, Trane HVAC, and NYC MTA.Mailbag: NFC dash buttons, Aqara FP300 presence tips, bed sensors, and listener automations for pets and babies.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA224Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:02:40 - News: Partners, Event, Merch00:03:54 - Dark Sky Returns: Acme Weather00:08:02 - Mailbag: AI, Accessibility, Pets00:12:56 - Gear Talk: Aqara, NFC, Bed Sensors00:19:09 - 2026.3 Release Overview00:21:56 - Vacuum Room-to-Area Mapping00:27:42 - App & Voice: Python, Dashboards, Assist00:32:15 - SendSpin Sync & Visuals00:36:30 - Matter, Docker, AI, Energy00:41:30 - Devices & Integration Highlights00:44:24 - New Integrations Roundup00:51:48 - Breaking Changes To Note00:55:30 - Wrap-Up & What’s NextThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedHEIMAN smoke and CO alarms (Matter over Thread): https://amzn.to/4smRtrvOpen Home Foundation merch (hat, hoodie): https://store.openhomefoundation.org/Neakasa M1 automatic litter box: https://amzn.to/3NdtiNdPetlibro RFID pet feeders: https://amzn.to/4se0XFoOwlet Dream Sock: https://amzn.to/4b0kHFISamsung Frame TV: https://amzn.to/3N40VAWSwitchBot AI Art Frame (color e‑ink): https://amzn.to/4u0qLXrHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• How Andrew Rebuilt His Solo Smart Home When a Roommate Moved In 24.02.2026 42min

  Andrew joins Phil and Rohan to share how he outgrew Apple HomeKit and built a powerful multi-user smart home in Home Assistant. We cover presence detection with ESP32s and sensors, ditching MyQ for a Meross garage opener, Yale smart locks, bathroom humidity fan automations, and fun ESPN sports goal alerts.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA223Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome, Sponsors, Intro00:02:00 - Andrew’s Tech Beginnings00:05:00 - From Apple Home to HA00:08:00 - Breaking HomeKit Limitations00:11:00 - Hardware: Pi to Proxmox00:14:00 - Backups, Restores, Cleanup00:16:30 - Multi-User Automation Challenges00:19:00 - Presence Without Phone Tracking00:22:00 - Buttons, Switches, Voice Balance00:25:00 - ESP32 Presence And Motion00:29:00 - Bathroom Humidity Fan Logic00:33:00 - Sensor Health & Batteries00:36:00 - Lighting Philosophy & Accents00:39:00 - WLED, TV Backlights, Aesthetics00:41:30 - Goals For The Year, Wrap-UpThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comNotionNotion is an AI-powered, connected workspace for teams. Notion brings all your notes, docs, and projects into one space that just works. Try Custom Agents now at https://notion.com/homeassistantProducts DiscussedMeross Smart Garage Door Opener (with reed sensor): https://amzn.to/4ratgV5Third Reality Smart Switch (Toggle/rocker add-on): https://amzn.to/4kupS4SAqara Temperature & Humidity Sensor: https://amzn.to/4twysV1Philips Hue Dimmer Switch: https://amzn.to/3MskUZNPhilips Hue Lightstrips: https://amzn.to/465QhA5Govee Floor Lamp: https://amzn.to/4rfMRDvHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• How Will Automates His Parents' Pool from 2,000 Miles Away and a Period UK Home 17.02.2026 1j 8min

  Will joins Phil and Rohan to share how he tamed a period UK home and a remote Canary Islands vacation property with Home Assistant, ESPHome, and Zigbee. We dive into DIY pool chemistry control, fridge monitoring with a ‘strawtenna’, tactile dashboards, AI‑assisted heating, and why Shelly is everywhereWatch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA222Special Thanks to Today's GuestWill Osborne-KennedyWebsiteSupport the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Welcome00:03:30 Will’s origin story and tinkering00:08:30 Finding Home Assistant and ESPHome00:12:00 Hot tub and pool control projects00:17:00 Remote Canary Islands setup00:22:00 Zigbee vs Wi‑Fi in old homes00:27:00 Antennas and fridge sensor hacks00:32:00 Dashboards and tactile panels00:37:00 AI and heating optimizations00:42:00 Remote access: fiber and TailScale00:46:00 Multi‑site management and ideas00:50:00 Favorite automations and LLM Vision00:56:00 Home lab, IPTV, and Channels DVR01:00:00 2026 goals: energy, irrigation, WLED01:05:00 Shelly scripts and local‑first01:07:00 Community vendorsThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comClean My MacGet Tidy Today! Get 7 days free and use our code ASSISTANT for 20% offhttps://clnmy.com/ASSISTANTProducts DiscussedShelly Bluetooth button/tile: https://amzn.to/4bJcvvyOrbit B‑Hyve irrigation controller: https://amzn.to/4bJcvvyHDHomeRun TV tuner: https://amzn.to/4klnoFUPhilips Hue Outdoor Motion Sensor: https://amzn.to/4cf3r1pHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Hiding Smart Tech in a 1950s Home: Mike’s Home Assistant Journey 10.02.2026 1j 1min

  Mike joins Phil and Rohan to share how he hides smart tech in a 1953 mid‑century home so it looks analog but works like magic. Plus: Roborock tricks, leak sensors that turn rooms blue, HomePod TTS vs Sonos ducking, Samsung Frame art‑mode headaches, and running full HA OS in a VMware Fusion VM on a Mac mini.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA221Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Welcome00:03:00 Lighting gateway and Hue hack00:05:30 Sneaking tech and dance reveal00:08:00 From HomeKit/HomeBridge to HA00:10:30 Dashboards and camera setup00:12:30 Bulbs vs switches in 50s home00:14:30 Bathroom fan and comforts00:16:30 Homelab and Zigbee backbone00:19:00 LLMs and announcements00:21:30 Laundry alerts and Mac lab00:25:30 Presence sensing strategy00:28:00 Leak sensors and water safety00:31:00 Light signals around the home00:33:00 Roborock automations and hacks00:40:30 Bedroom presence routines00:43:00 Bayesian sensors and design00:49:50 Time Machine and Frame TV00:54:30 Pool fountain control00:56:30 Power and crawlspace cabling00:59:10 Party trick and outroThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedPhilips Hue bulbs and lightstrips: https://amzn.to/4k7paurAqara T2 wall switch: https://amzn.to/4jUTZm1Samsung The Frame TV (43"): https://amzn.to/4t5mTnrZigbee main water shutoff valve (generic): https://amzn.to/4aURldjAqara water leak sensors: https://amzn.to/3Nest6AAqara door/window sensors: https://amzn.to/49hmu9BThird Reality sensors: https://amzn.to/455ZR5FEcobee thermostat with room sensors: https://amzn.to/4t4XYjOBond Bridge (ceiling fan RF hub): https://amzn.to/3YAbHBmAqara roller shade controllers: https://amzn.to/3O8ihwILevel Lock: https://amzn.to/3ZcU3UgSwitchBot Lock (with keypad/fingerprint accessory): https://amzn.to/4a55H92HostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Home Assistant 2026.2: New Home Dashboard, Apps & our CES2026 wrap 04.02.2026 51min

  We break down Home Assistant 2026.2: the Home Dashboard is now default, the new Command‑K command palette, a dedicated Matter dashboard, and add‑ons renamed to Apps. Plus: CES 2026 highlights, the Open Home Foundation device database and a Google Home outage.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA220Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:03:00 CES Highlights and Shoutouts00:06:00 Device Database and Open Home00:11:30 Cloud Outage and Local Control00:13:50 Listener Feedback and Tips00:21:20 2026.2 Release Overview00:23:20 Home Dashboard Becomes Default00:26:45 Command Palette and Shortcuts00:29:40 Matter Dashboard and Apps Rename00:32:40 Automations, Cards, and Buttons00:37:10 Music Assistant, Media, Sponsor Break00:41:10 New Integrations Roundup00:46:25 Breaking Changes: Groups, Tuya00:49:38 Closing Thoughts and PredictionsThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeePrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Inside the Works With Home Assistant program with Miranda Bishop 27.01.2026 1j 22min

  Miranda from the Open Home Foundation takes us inside the Works With Home Assistant program: how devices are tested, why the badge matters, and how vendors—from startups to big brands—can get certified. We cover Zigbee vs Z‑Wave vs Matter, badge misuse, regional device coverage, and Miranda’s own fun automations.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA219Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 Intro00:03:20 Miranda’s path to HA00:08:00 CES stories and community00:14:30 Moving program to Foundation00:22:30 Fees, pushback, endorsement?00:29:30 Guidance, safety, and testing00:36:30 Zigbee, Z‑Wave, Matter realities00:43:00 Big brands, IKEA, relationships00:50:30 Cloud integrations, Genie00:55:30 Miranda’s home and automations01:03:30 Blinds, garden, robots01:10:00 Regional coverage and filters01:15:30 Badge misuse and enforcement01:20:30 2026 goals and wrap‑upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedHome Assistant Connect ZWA2 (Z‑Wave radio): https://amzn.to/3MfPzsPHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• From SimpliSafe to Matter: We’re re-visiting Aaron 20.01.2026 1j 12min

  Aaron returns to share how his Home Assistant setup evolved from endless tinkering to a rock‑solid system that runs his family life. We cover Z‑Wave provisioning, ESPHome vs off‑the‑shelf reliability, RATGDO for garage doors, HA Green/Yellow, voice‑first routines, and the rise of AI‑powered helpers.Watch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA218Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome, guest intro00:02:30 - Aaron’s Home Assistant dev journey00:06:30 - Life change and HA evolving00:10:30 - HA Green/Yellow setup ease00:14:30 - Proxmox vs appliance hubs00:18:30 - Remote radios and antennas00:22:30 - AppDaemon to UI automations00:26:30 - AI helpers and sensors00:30:30 - Dashboards vs default view00:34:30 - Voice and automation-first00:38:30 - Community ideas and sharing00:42:30 - Maintain vs rebuild strategy00:46:30 - Vacuum and dishwasher flows00:50:30 - Guest mode with Shortcuts00:54:30 - ESPHome vs plug-and-play00:58:30 - Z-Wave provisioning01:02:30 - Local-first hardware wins01:06:30 - Matter, cameras, standards01:10:00 - Open-source continuity, adviceThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedHome Assistant Connect Z-Wave (ZWA2) antenna: https://amzn.to/48PrphTUbiquiti Protect cameras: https://amzn.to/4asHXxtHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis episode contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
• Artem’s Energy‑Smart Automations Without the Chaos 13.01.2026 1j 2min

  By day Artem works for JetBrains, developing coding IDEs for software professionals. But today we want to learn about his smart home, and how he is using Home Assistant to make it more energy efficientWatch this episode on YouTubeShow notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA217Support the PodcastGet early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.https://homeassistant.fm/patreonShare your storyWe wouldn't be able to do this podcast without community members and home automation enthusiasts sharing their stories. To register your interest to come share your home automation journey, head over to homeassistant.fm and click share your story.Chapters00:00:00 - Welcome, sponsors, guest intro00:02:30 - Developer life and new home00:06:30 - Shutters and first automations00:12:20 - Wi‑Fi presence and WAF/PAF00:17:30 - Cabling regrets and PoE lessons00:21:30 - Zigbee over Ethernet; IKEA fix00:25:58 - Dynamic tariffs, solar and battery00:33:20 - Smart appliance scheduling00:41:00 - mmWave presence sensors00:45:20 - Doorbell NFC and Nuki lock00:50:10 - Wishlist, Hue and wiring00:53:10 - Climate tuning and valve fix00:58:40 - Versatile thermostat and wrap‑upThis episode was made possible thanks to our sponsorsHome Assistant Cloud by Nabu CasaEasily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Configuration is via the User Interface so no fiddling with router settings, dynamic DNS, or YAML.ZoozIf you're looking to upgrade your smart home - you can’t go past Zooz! Zooz offers a range of affordable and innovative devices, including water leak sensors, water valve controllers, smart plugs and scene controllers.For the best prices on all Zooz products, head over to https://thesmartesthouse.comProducts DiscussedUbiquiti UniFi Protect G4 Pro Doorbell: https://amzn.to/4aT1IhFAqara FP2 mmWave presence sensor: https://amzn.to/4s4M4WMHostsPhil HawthorneWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @philhawthorneBluesky: @philhawthorne.comBuy Phil a CoffeeRohan KaramandiWebsiteSmart Home ProductsTwitter: @rohank9Buy Rohan a CoffeeThis podcast contains Amazon affiliate links. If you click on one of them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy