Home Assistant Podcast

A temperature sensor, a smart plug and a baby who wouldn’t sleep started Mayan’s Home Assistant journey. Phil and Rohan explore how that first nursery automation grew into Zigbee heating controls, local white noise, custom lighting and a whole-house dashboard.

Watch this episode on YouTube
Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA254

Support the Podcast
Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.
https://homeassistant.fm/patreon

Share your story
We 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.

Chapters
00:00:00 — Welcome
00:02:00 — A sleepless baby starts everything
00:05:17 — Smart plugs and temperature sensors
00:08:25 — Tuya reliability and appliance safety
00:11:15 — Heating controls and nursery white noise
00:14:24 — Sonos, Spotify and local playback
00:17:22 — Choosing Zigbee over Wi-Fi
00:19:00 — ESP builds and fireplace fan safety
00:23:00 — Making custom Home Assistant hardware
00:25:20 — Projector lights and movie controls
00:27:28 — Smart-home controls
00:30:00 — Buttons, voice and kitchen tablets
00:33:55 — Night lights that help kids sleep
00:37:00 — Shared calendars on Home Assistant
00:40:00 — Organizing busy family schedules
00:43:26 — Automating a louvered pergola
00:46:30 — Hacking the pergola remote
00:49:40 — Tracking louver position
00:52:40 — DIY trade-offs and remote reliability
00:55:45 — Holiday mode and home security
00:58:40 — Solar hot water and load shifting
01:01:45 — Heat banking and energy choices
01:04:20 — A Frigate-powered AI cat trainer
01:07:30 — The mini PC running everything

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Home Assistant Link by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com

Zooz
If 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.com

Apollo Automation
Apollo 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.

Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com

Products we Recommend

Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
Buy Phil a Coffee

Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Phil and Rohan unpack Home Assistant 2026.10, from redesigned maps and easier trigger-based automations to AI setup, Matter devices and Z-Wave network maps. They also discuss reports about LG TV privacy and Shelly’s planned acquisition.

Watch this episode on YouTube
Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA253

Support the Podcast
Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.
https://homeassistant.fm/patreon

Share your story
We 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.

Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:00 Community Day plans
00:04:39 Home Assistant Link replaces Cloud
00:07:29 LG TV privacy concerns
00:16:38 Shelly’s planned acquisition
00:24:01 Critical iPhone notifications
00:26:16 Notification tips and Zooz sponsor
00:28:16 Redesigned and customizable maps
00:30:42 Easier automation trigger conditions
00:34:47 Dashboard visibility and AI tools
00:37:32 Z-Wave maps and YAML improvements
00:40:16 Generators and energy monitoring
00:44:00 Modbus, profiles and timers
00:47:56 Glass-break sensors and security dashboards
00:52:00 Matter updates and Thread plans
00:55:36 Templates, Hue and Z-Wave
00:58:00 UniFi Protect and integration updates
01:01:00 iCloud lists and local vehicle control
01:03:20 New infrared and energy integrations
01:07:18 Solar, messaging and plant integrations
01:10:27 Removed integrations and upgrade advice
01:11:24 Green Button energy data

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Home Assistant Link by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com

Zooz
If 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.com

Apollo Automation
Apollo 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.

Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com

Products Discussed
Shelly smart relays/switches: https://amzn.to/4tfoHdE
Home Assistant ZBT2 (Zigbee radio): https://amzn.to/4pLxykT
Products we Recommend

Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
Buy Phil a Coffee

Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee

This 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

Phil and Rohan are joined by Trey from Tallahassee, Florida, to explore his local-first Home Assistant setup. From an X10 beginning and a MyQ API shutdown to Zigbee migrations, Trey has seen a lot!

Watch this episode on YouTube
Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA252

Support the Podcast
Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.
https://homeassistant.fm/patreon

Share your story
We 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.

Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction
00:02:00 From X10 to Home Assistant
00:06:00 Zigbee migration and device choices
00:10:00 Smart lighting and cat alerts
00:14:00 Automation philosophy and voice control
00:18:00 Voice assistant TV pausing
00:20:00 Zigbee, Thread and Z-Wave
00:24:00 Batteries and dual Zigbee networks
00:28:00 UniFi networking
00:30:00 Garage and freeze automations
00:34:00 IKEA blinds and local AI
00:38:00 Local LLM voice pipeline
00:42:00 Backups and outdoor camera plans
00:46:00 Indoor cameras and privacy modes
00:50:00 Frigate, recognition and smart locks
00:54:00 Ring keypad and closing

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Home Assistant Link by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com

Zooz
If 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.com

Apollo Automation
Apollo 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.

Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com

Products we Recommend

Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
Buy Phil a Coffee

Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee

This 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

Roland joins Phil and Rohan to share how a simple attempt to measure an old fridge's energy use led to a deeply data-driven Home Assistant smart home. Energy monitoring, solar forecasting, home batteries, EV charging, ESPHome, weather data and templates are all used to make his home smarter.

Watch this episode on YouTube
Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA251

Support the Podcast
Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.
https://homeassistant.fm/patreon

Share your story
We 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.

Chapters
00:00:00 Welcome
00:02:01 An accidental Home Assistant install
00:06:04 Scaling devices and automations
00:08:04 Solar forecasts and battery control
00:16:46 ESPHome windows and storm protection
00:21:03 Home Assistant at the university
00:26:16 Starting with energy data
00:29:08 Cooling buckets and digital grass
00:34:52 Turning data into automations
00:37:19 Summer-winter heating and cooling
00:43:52 Measuring a new home
00:47:21 Whole-home energy and smart PC
00:52:16 Pool monitoring and house insights
00:59:07 Future projects and stable automation
01:04:26 Updates, reliability and farewell

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Zooz
If 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.com

Apollo Automation
Apollo 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.

Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com

Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com

Products Discussed
Navimow robotic lawn mower: https://amzn.to/4d7phni
Apollo Automation ESPHome Starter Kit: https://esphome.io/starter-kit/
Apollo Automation Cast 1: https://apolloautomation.com/products/cast-1-audio-casting-device
Shelly smart relays/switches: https://amzn.to/4tfoHdE
Shelly One relay: https://amzn.to/4wUFxj6
Products we Recommend

Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
Buy Phil a Coffee

Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee

This 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 do you make Home Assistant resilient when an update fails or your primary server goes offline? Phil and Rohan talk with Adrian from Western Australia about his dual Home Assistant setup, webhook heartbeat failover, Git-based YAML configuration, and a 12V battery-backed home network.
Adrian has shared some notes on his setup here:  https://docs.na.id.au/ 

Watch this episode on YouTube
Show notes for this episode are available at https://homeassistant.fm/HA250

Support the Podcast
Get early-access to episodes and an ad-free feed by supporting our Patreon.
https://homeassistant.fm/patreon

Share your story
We 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.

Chapters
00:00:00 Intro
00:02:00 Adrian's Home Assistant origin
00:05:00 12V battery-backed infrastructure
00:08:00 Presence and smart-light logic
00:13:00 Wi-Fi scale and interference
00:16:00 Matter, LIFX and 433MHz
00:21:00 Alarm integrations and appliances
00:29:00 Home Assistant high availability
00:34:00 Zigbee, MQTT and Matter
00:39:00 Git, YAML and device naming
00:44:00 DHCP reservations and static IPs
00:47:00 EV charging and roller shutters
00:51:00 Upgrades and family installations
00:55:00 Local AI and language learning
00:59:00 Wrap-up

This episode was made possible thanks to our sponsors
Home Assistant Cloud by Nabu Casa
Easily connect to Google and Amazon voice assistants for a small monthly fee that also supports the Home Assistant project. Sign up for your free trial in your Home Assistant system: https://my.home-assistant.io/redirect/cloud/ or visit https://nabucasa.com

Zooz
If 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.com

Apollo Automation
Apollo 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.

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Want Phil to help with your smart home?
You’ve heard him troubleshoot Home Assistant on the podcast. Now you can book him to troubleshoot yours. From broken automations and confusing YAML to dashboards, devices, and complete smart home setups: https://smarthomecto.com

Products we Recommend

Hosts
Phil Hawthorne
Website
Twitter: @philhawthorne
Bluesky: @philhawthorne.com
Buy Phil a Coffee

Rohan Karamandi
Website
Twitter: @rohank9
Buy Rohan a Coffee

This 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