My two favorite automations are dead simple, but would be tricky to solve any other way. I have them set up with Home Assistant running on my local network, so there's no data going to anyone else, and no dependency on a cloud service.
The first is, my mailbox is across the street, and I'd like to know when the mail comes. So I have a Z-wave door sensor in the mailbox to send me a notification to my phone when the mailbox is opened.
The other is to nag us to move laundry to the dryer. I have a Z-wave power meter that my washing machine plugs in to, and another Z-wave door sensor on the door. When the power meter detects the washing machine stop using power, it waits a few minutes and sends a notification to unload every few minutes, until the door is opened.
I did accidentally DOS my phone for a bit when working on the washing machine automation, since I forgot to put in the sleep for it to wait a few minutes.
My sprinkler system is automated and internet connected. It’s on a schedule but I can override it when I’m not home. So if it’s raining, I can turn it off when away. It also knows the forecast and is quite good about skipping watering. Water is expensive where I live so I appreciate this.
The first is, my mailbox is across the street, and I'd like to know when the mail comes. So I have a Z-wave door sensor in the mailbox to send me a notification to my phone when the mailbox is opened.
The other is to nag us to move laundry to the dryer. I have a Z-wave power meter that my washing machine plugs in to, and another Z-wave door sensor on the door. When the power meter detects the washing machine stop using power, it waits a few minutes and sends a notification to unload every few minutes, until the door is opened.