Breaking Change:

We've made significant updates in version 1.1.0 to improve handling of both HVAC and heaters with non-electric sources.

Changed Command name to either a "HVAC" or a "Heater" for unified control. Renamed indoor sensor temperature to indoor_sensor_temp. Renamed vacation mode (away state) to vacation.

Climate Commander by Pythm

An Appdaemon app for controlling climate entities in Home Assistant. Set an indoor temperature target with an external indoor temperature sensor and configure your screens and provide other sensors to maintain a balanced indoor climate.

This is developed in Norway where we mostly need heating.

Features:

Automatically changes HVAC entities to fan_only if indoor temperature is 0.6 degree above target or if windows are open.
Changes from fan_only to cool if indoor temperature is 1 degree above target and outdoor temperature is above indoor target.
Automatically closes screens/covers when it's above target indoor temperature and above given lux constraints.

Installation

1. Download the ClimateCommander directory from inside the apps directory here to your Appdaemon apps directory.
2. Add the configuration to a .yaml or .toml file to enable the ClimateCommander module. Minimum required in your configuration with example input is:

nameyourClimateCommander:
  module: climateCommander
  class: Climate
  HVAC:
    - climate: climate.yourClimate
      indoor_sensor_temp: sensor.yourIndoorTemperatureSensor # External indoor temperature sensor
      target_indoor_temp: 22.7

Tip

All numbers in the yaml example configurations are default if not defined in the configuration.

App usage and configuration

This app is designed to control climate entities in Home Assistant based on indoor temperature using additional sensors. Outdoor sensors are configured for the app, while indoor sensors are configured per climate entity.

Important

This app requires an external indoor temperature sensor to function correctly. Proper placement of the sensor and setting the right target temperature is crucial for achieving an optimal indoor temperature.

Note

This app does not consider electricity prices or usage. If you're looking for an app that controls heaters, hot water boilers, and chargers for cars based on electricity price and usage, please check out ElectricalManagement

Namespace Configuration: If you have defined a namespace for Home Assistant (HASS), you need to configure the app with HASS_namespace. Similarly, if you're using MQTT, define your MQTT namespace with MQTT_namespace. Both defaults are set to "default" if not specified.

Outdoor weather sensors climate reacts to

If you do not have an outdoor temperature sensor, the app will try to get the temperature from the Met.no integration.

An anemometer can be used to increase the indoor set temperature when it is windy. Define your sensor using anemometer and a "windy" target with anemometer_speed. If the wind speed exceeds the target, all screens will open, and if needed to maintain the temperature, the HVAC system will activate the boost preset mode. Note that boost will not be set if the fan mode is set to Silence.

A rain sensor can increase indoor temperature when it's depressing weather outside. Define your rain sensor using rain_sensor and a "rainy" target with rain_level. If rain is detected, all screens will open.

Both wind and rain, separately or combined, will set the indoor temperature to 0.3 degrees above target.

Outdoor Lux sensors are required to control cover entities like screens or blinds for windows. You can configure two outdoor lux sensors, with the second ending with '_2', and it will keep the highest lux value, or the last if the other is not updated within 15 minutes. Both Lux sensors can be either MQTT or Home Assistant sensors.

  outside_temperature: sensor.netatmo_out_temperature
  anemometer: sensor.netatmo_anemometer_wind_strength
  anemometer_speed: 40
  rain_sensor: sensor.netatmo_rain
  rain_level: 3
  OutLux_sensor: sensor.lux_sensor
  OutLuxMQTT_2: zigbee2mqtt/OutdoorHueLux

  screening_temp: 8
  getting_cold: 18

screening_temp configure a minimum outdoor temperature for when screens will automatically close. The default temperature threshold when the app registers it as cold outside is 18 degrees Celsius. This configuration is for now, mainly used for notifications, and can be changed with getting_cold.

Windowsensors

You can add window/door sensors to switch your HVAC to fan_only if any window or door is opened for more than 2 minutes. If you configure Heater in stead if HVAC, the heater will set the temperature to the vacation temperature.

The app also supports an additional indoor temperature sensor. A windowsensor equipped with temperature reading is ideal for registering when direct sunlight heats the room, allowing the system to lower the heating temperature before it becomes uncomfortably hot.

      windowsensors:
        - binary_sensor.your_window_door_is_open

Configurations for the app

Temperature settings for climate

Define an external indoor temperature sensor with indoor_sensor_temp, and set target_indoor_temp for the external indoor temperature. Alternatively to the target_indoor_temp, you can use a Home Assistant input_number helper and set the target from that with target_indoor_input.

Add a window sensor with window_sensor_temp and input the offset between the indoor sensor and the window sensor when the sun is not heating with window_offset.

      indoor_sensor_temp: sensor.yourIndoorTemperatureSensor # External indoor temperature sensor
      target_indoor_temp: 22.7
      target_indoor_input: input_number.yourInput
      window_sensor_temp: sensor.your_windowsensor_air_temperature
      window_offset: -3

Daytime savings and increasing times will set the target +- 0.5 degree to increase or decrease the indoor temperature. The daytime_savings and daytime_increasing have a start and stop time. In addition, you can define presence detection. If anyone is home, it will not do daytime savings, but there needs to be someone home to increase the temperature.

      daytime_savings:
        - start: '10:00:00'
          stop: '14:00:00'
          presence:
            - person.wife
            - person.myself
      daytime_increasing:
        - start: '05:00:00'
          stop: '07:00:00'

Silent Periods

Configure times to set the fan speed to silence. This only applies to HVAC heaters.

      silence:
        - start: '21:00:00'
          stop: '07:00:00'
          presence: 
            - person.nathaniel

Note: The app will revert to its previous setting when the silent period ends. It stores the other fan mode in persistent storage.

Setting up sensors for screens/covers

Each screen has a lux closing and lux opening value for automatically closing or opening your cover entity. If you have windowsensors defined, the sensor must be off(closed) for the screen to run. Add mediaplayers sensors and a lux_open_media if you want the screen to open with a different lux value than normal when your media is on. Mediaplayers can be any Home Assistant entity that returns 'on'/'off' value. You can prevent covers from closing when a person/tracker is at home using a list with not_when_home.

Tip

If you adjust your screen manually, the app will not open the cover until the outdoor lux level is below 100. Rain/wind will always open covers.

      screening:
        - screen: cover.your_screen
          windowsensors:
          - binary_sensor.window_door_is_open
          lux_close: 40000
          lux_open: 15000
          lux_open_media: 4000
          not_when_home:
            - person.wife
          mediaplayers:
            - switch.projector
            - media_player.your_tv

Vacation temperature

You can define an Home Assistant input_boolean helper to lower the consumption when on vacation. When heating the target indoor temp will be set to a temperature defined with vacation_temp. The vacation temperature can either be defined at main level or under each climate entity. When cooling the temperature will be set 3 degrees above.

  vacation: input_boolean.vacation
  vacation_temp: 16
  HVAC:
    - climate: climate.yourClimate
      vacation_temp: 16

Persistent storage

To configure persistent storage, input a path, exclusive of a name and a .json filename (e.g., '/conf/persistent/Climate/') to store a JSON file using the json_path as persistent data.

The app will calculate the average set temperature based on outdoor temperature and lux for further improvements to temperature setting. It is also used to store fan speed, in case the app is restarted during silent periode.

Disable all automations

Define an HA input boolean and configure with automate to disable automation when switch is off.

Set up notifications

You can get notifications for when the indoor temperature is low and a window is open, or if it is hot and windows are closed. It sends notifications with Notify integration. Create a list for all devices you want to receive notifications. Receivers can be configured at app level, or for each climate.

      notify_reciever:
        - mobile_app_your_phone

You can also configure ClimateCommander to use your own Notification app instead with notify_app. You'll need to have a function in your app to receive. ClimateCommander sends one notification pr list entry.

    def send_notification(self,
        message:str,
        message_title:str,
        message_recipient:str
    ) -> None:

Search for "Test your notification app" in .py file and uncomment to test your own notification app.

Get started

Tip

Define an HA input boolean and configure with automate to disable automation. Turn off to stop automating temperature.

The easiest way to get started is to copy the example provided and update it with your sensors and climate entities. You can then add more configurations as needed. Ensure that all list and dictionary elements are correctly indented. Here's an example:

Example App configuration

nameyourClimateCommander:
  module: climateCommander
  class: Climate
  outside_temperature: sensor.netatmo_out_temperature
  anemometer: sensor.netatmo_anemometer_wind_strength
  anemometer_speed: 40
  rain_sensor: sensor.netatmo_rain
  rain_level: 3
  OutLux_sensor: sensor.lux_sensor
  OutLuxMQTT_2: zigbee2mqtt/OutdoorHueLux

  screening_temp: 8
  getting_cold: 18

  json_path: /conf/persistent/Climate/
  vacation: input_boolean.vacation
  vacation_temp: 16

  HVAC:
    - climate: climate.yourClimate
      indoor_sensor_temp: sensor.yourIndoorTemperatureSensor # External indoor temperature sensor
      target_indoor_input: input_number.yourInput
      window_sensor_temp: sensor.your_windowsensor_air_temperature
      window_offset: -3

      daytime_savings:
        - start: '10:00:00'
          stop: '14:00:00'
          presence:
            - person.wife
            - person.myself
      daytime_increasing:
        - start: '05:00:00'
          stop: '07:00:00'

      silence:
        - start: '21:00:00'
          stop: '07:00:00'
          presence: 
            - person.nathaniel

      windowsensors:
        - binary_sensor.your_window_door_is_open

      screening:
        - screen: cover.your_screen
          windowsensors:
          - binary_sensor.window_door_is_open
          lux_close: 40000
          lux_open: 15000
          lux_open_media: 4000
          not_when_home:
            - person.wife
          mediaplayers:
            - switch.projector
            - media_player.your_tv

      notify_reciever:
        - mobile_app_your_phone

Key definitions for defining app

key	optional	type	default	introduced in	description
module	False	string		v1.0.0	The module name of the app.
class	False	string		v1.0.0	The name of the Class.
HASS_namespace	True	string	default	v1.0.0	HASS namespace
MQTT_namespace	True	string	default	v1.0.0	MQTT namespace
outside_temperature	True	sensor		v1.0.0	Sensor for outside temperature
anemometer	True	sensor		v1.0.0	Sensor for wind speed
anemometer_speed	True	int	40	v1.0.0	windy target
rain_sensor	True	sensor		v1.0.0	Sensor for rain detection
rain_level	True	int	3	v1.2.0	rainy target
OutLux_sensor	True	sensor		v1.0.0	Sensor for Lux detection
OutLuxMQTT	True	MQTT sensor		v1.0.0	Lux detection via MQTT
OutLux_sensor_2	True	sensor		v1.0.0	Secondary Sensor for Lux detection
OutLuxMQTT_2	True	MQTT sensor		v1.0.0	Secondary Lux detection via MQTT
screening_temp	True	int	8	v1.0.0	Outside temperature needs to be over this to automatically close screen
getting_cold	True	int	18	v1.0.6	Cold outside for notifications below outside temperature
json_path	True	string	None	v1.1.0	Persisten storage
vacation	True	input_boolean	input_boolean.vacation	v1.1.0	Activates Vacation temperature
vacation_temp	True	int	16	v1.1.0	Indoor vacation temperature

Key definitions for defining climates

key	optional	type	default	introduced in	description
HVAC	False	list		v1.1.0	Contains HVAC climates
Heaters	False	list		v1.1.0	Contains Heater climates
climate	False	climate entity		v1.0.0	The entity_id of the climate
indoor_sensor_temp	False	sensor		v1.0.0	External indoor temperature sensor
target_indoor_temp	True	int	23	v1.0.0	Indoor target temperature and Screening/cover auto close
target_indoor_input	True	input_number		v1.0.3	Set indoor target temperature with a HA sensor
window_sensor_temp	True	sensor		v1.1.0	Window temperature sensor
window_offset	True	int	-3	v1.1.0	offset from indoor temperature sensor
daytime_savings	True	dictionary		v1.0.0	Contains start / stop and optionally presence to lower temperature
daytime_increasing	True	dictionary		v1.0.0	Contains start / stop and optionally presence to increase temperature
silence	True	dictionary		v1.0.4	Contains start / stop and optionally presence to set fan to silence
windowsensors	True	list		v1.0.0	Will set fan_only when window is opened for more than 2 minutes
automate	True	input_boolean	True	v1.0.3	Turn off a input boolean to stop automating temperature
notify_reciever	True	list		v1.0.0	Notify recipients

Key definitions for defining screens

key	optional	type	default	introduced in	description
screening	True	dictionary		v1.0.0	Contains a list of cover entities to control
windowsensors	True	list		v1.0.0	If screen is on a window/door that can be opened it will not autoclose when sensor is 'on'
lux_close	True	int	40000	v1.0.0	Close cover if temperatures is above target and lux is above
lux_open	True	int	15000	v1.0.0	Open cover when lux goes below
lux_open_media	True	int	4000	v1.0.0	Optional lux open setting if one of the mediaplayers is on
not_when_home	True	list		v1.0.0	Only close cover automatically if persons are not at home
mediaplayers	True	list		v1.0.0	list of switches/media to use alternative lux open value