Homekit Automations with Smart Radiator Valves

Question

Homekit Automations with Smart Radiator Valves

I have smart trv's and would like to use apple home to ensure that any time I'm home, and between certain times, I'd like to set specific temperatures on those trv's. It feels like it should be really easy to do but I can't find a robust solution.

I don't necessarily want it for when I arrive home, I want it for when I'm home. For example, in the main bedroom (which I've slept all night), I want the trv to turn on between 6:30am and 8am. Then turn off between 8am and 9pm. But then turn back on (if I'm home) at 9pm until 11pm.

Is there a way to do this which also works if I arrive home at say 9:30pm? I have figured out how to trigger to the TRVs at specific times or when I arrive/leave. However, doing something as simple as...

IF I'm home

AND between time

SET temperature to X

seems quite hard without writing a lot of IF loops

Many thanks!

Posted on Sep 20, 2024 08:02 AM

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Answer 1

6x6

Level 6

18,321 points

Sep 21, 2024 06:28 AM in response to Steven Hillson

You may want to look at 3rd party apps such as Controller for HomeKit. I have no experience with it but their website show an interesting example (in the Structured Design section) that may look like what you are trying to achieve.

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Answer 2

Sep 20, 2024 03:53 PM in response to 6x6

So for each individual thermostat, set 3/4 different automations?

-one for on at x time if I’m home

-one for off at x time if I’m home

-one for on at x time if I arrive home between y time

-one for off between x time if I leave

??

it just feels that for an apple product, there should be an easier way to set such a simple protocol. For example, I live in quite a small house and this will need 50+ automations. Is this the only way?

thanks

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 6

18,321 points

Sep 20, 2024 04:25 PM in response to Steven Hillson

Unfortunately, yes; If the triggers are different, you'll need an automation for each.

The notion of trigger/event is important. Once started, automations (just like regular shortcuts) cannot run for more that a few minutes; so you wouldn't be able to use some delaying technique (such as a looped Wait action) within the same automation to trigger something at a later time.

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Answer 4

6x6

Level 6

18,321 points

Sep 20, 2024 11:48 AM in response to Steven Hillson

In a Home automation, you can specify a time frame with the “When People Arrive” trigger:

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Answer 5

Sep 20, 2024 11:36 PM in response to 6x6

Many thanks!

hopefully someone from apple will see this and also be surprised how hard it is to do such a simple thing

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Homekit Automations with Smart Radiator Valves

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