DIY
DIY
From ESP32 Weather Station to Home Security Monitor with HC-SR501 PIR Sensor
A few months ago I cobbled together a simple ESP32 weather station that dutifully reported temperature and humidity to my Home Assistant dashboard. It worked great until my cat decided the breadboard was a better bed than the couch. While the weather station slowly transitioned into a fur-covered sensor graveyard, I needed something else to do with the spare ESP32 Development Board Module I had lying around. That’s when the idea hit me: why not repurpose the same hardware I used for a weather station into a dead‑simple motion alert system?
Turn ESP32 Into a Smart Energy Meter with Home Assistant Integration
I’ve always been a bit obsessed with data, especially when it comes to understanding my home’s energy consumption. After getting hit with a surprisingly high electricity bill last winter, I decided it was time to stop guessing and start measuring. Commercial smart plugs with energy monitoring are great, but what if you want to monitor a whole circuit, like your kitchen or workshop? That’s when I decided to turn an ESP32 into a smart energy meter.
Build a Room Occupancy Tracker with ESP32 and Ultrasonic Sensors
I’ve been tinkering with smart home automation for years, always looking for clever ways to make my home more responsive. Commercial room occupancy sensors work fine, but they’re expensive and often limited in functionality. After one too many instances of my smart lights turning off while I was still reading in my favorite armchair, I decided to build my own room occupancy tracker using an ESP32 and ultrasonic sensors. The beauty of this approach?
Control a Smart Fan with ESP32 and Home Assistant Using Temperature Triggers
I’ve always been fascinated with making my home smarter, especially when it comes to energy efficiency and comfort. There’s something deeply satisfying about having your home respond to environmental conditions without lifting a finger. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how I built a system that automatically controls a fan based on room temperature using an ESP32 and Home Assistant. Why I Built This System Living in a climate with hot summers, I found myself constantly adjusting fans throughout the day.
Automating Window Blinds with ESP32 Servo Motor and Home Assistant
I’ve always been fascinated with the idea of waking up to natural sunlight instead of a blaring alarm clock. But as someone who also values sleeping in on weekends, I needed a solution that could give me the best of both worlds. That’s when I decided to automate my window blinds with an ESP32 and servo motors, integrating everything seamlessly with Home Assistant. After a few prototypes (and one slightly mangled blind slat), I’ve perfected a system that opens my blinds based on either time schedules or ambient light conditions.
Automate Your Curtains with a Smart Tuya Roller Chain Motor: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ever wished your curtains could open and close on their own? Maybe you’re tired of fumbling with cords in the morning or want to impress your friends with a “Hey Google, open the curtains” moment. Whatever your reason, automating your curtains with a Tuya Smart Curtain Roller Chain Motor is easier than you think. Here’s how I did it—and how you can too. Why Automate Your Curtains? I’ll admit it: I’m lazy.
Track Your Electricity Consumption with Shelly Pro 2PM: Advantages and Home Assistant Integration
Ever stared at your electricity bill and wondered, “How did I use that much power?" I certainly have. That’s why I decided to take control by monitoring my home’s energy consumption in real-time using the Shelly Pro 2PM—a versatile, Wi-Fi-enabled energy monitoring device. In this guide, I’ll walk you through setting it up, integrating it with Home Assistant, and turning raw data into actionable insights. Why Shelly Pro 2PM? The Shelly Pro 2PM is a powerhouse (pun intended) for energy monitoring.
DIY Smart Door Sensor with ESP32 and Home Assistant: A Step-by-Step Guide
DIY Smart Door Sensor with ESP32 and Home Assistant Ever walked out the door and wondered, Did I close it? I’ve been there too—until I built a DIY smart door sensor using an ESP32 and Home Assistant. Now, my phone buzzes if the door’s left ajar, and I’ve even set up automations to turn off the AC when the door’s open for too long (goodbye, wasted energy!). Here’s how you can build your own.