10 EASY Home Automation Ideas
A look at 10 home automation ideas that are easy to set up, save us time, and make our home more comfortable and secure.
Thanks to ThirdReality for sponsoring this video. Get the ThirdReality Smart Switch MT1 with Matter-over-Thread here:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/44lYosn
ThirdReality: https://go.michaelsleen.com/smart-switch-mt1
🍿 WATCH NEXT
⭐ FEATURED TECH
Windowless Rooms (Lights)
Light Switch – Zooz ZEN76 On/Off Switch: https://amzn.to/4fxjaI3 or https://go.michaelsleen.com/zooz-zen76
Light Switch – Lutron Aurora Smart Bulb Dimmer Switch for Philips Hue Smart Bulbs – Mount Anywhere: https://amzn.to/3wBWDbL
Contact Sensor – Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen): https://amzn.to/3SPUwsb
Contact Sensor – Zooz ZSE41 XS Open Close Sensor: https://amzn.to/4fTZ8r3 or https://go.michaelsleen.com/zooz-zse41
Natural Light & Privacy Control (Window Shades)
Lutron Caséta Smart Shades: https://www.casetawireless.com/us/en/products/smart-shades
SmartWave Motorized Blackout Cellular Shades Venus
SmartWave Motorized Blackout Cellular Shades Venus
SmartWings Motorized Shades with Matter-over-Thread: https://go.michaelsleen.com/smartwings-motorized-shades
SwitchBot Roller Shade [Save 10% with code 10UPW0B2YQZ33C]: https://go.michaelsleen.com/switchbot-roller-shade
Zemismart Matter-over-Thread Roller Shade Rechargeable Motor with optional Solar-Powered Panel [Save 15% with code MT25B15]: https://go.michaelsleen.com/zemismart-matter-thread-motor
Warm Indoor Temperature (Ceiling Fans)
ThirdReality Smart Switch MT1 with Matter-over-Thread: https://amzn.to/44lYosn or https://go.michaelsleen.com/smart-switch-mt1
Bond Bridge: https://amzn.to/4aiX0pt
Zooz ZEN32 Scene Controller: https://amzn.to/3WFRpGF
Arrive Home / Step Out Briefly (Locks)
Yale Assure Lock 2, Key-Free Keypad Lock with Z-Wave: https://amzn.to/4bHlL0B
Yale Assure Lock SL, Wi-Fi Smart Lock with Norwood Lever: https://amzn.to/49pptKW
SwitchBot Lock Pro, Hub Mini Matter Enabled, and Keypad Touch: https://amzn.to/3BtsbTm or Save 10% with code 10UPQIZHBUZ9W2 at https://go.michaelsleen.com/SHfgJq
Peak-Proof Lockly Secure Plus Smart Lock: https://amzn.to/40OMJ3t
Secure Link WiFi Hub: https://amzn.to/48WhfKA
Laundry Alerts (Notifications)
Smart Plug – TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Mini with Energy Monitoring: https://amzn.to/3O0G9PX
Vibration Sensor – Aeotec SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor: https://amzn.to/47BIIix
Zigbee Coordinator – SONOFF Zigbee 3.0 USB Dongle Plus Gateway: https://amzn.to/3vqQfmP
Animal Deterrent (Irrigation)
Rachio 3, 8-Zone Smart Sprinkler: https://amzn.to/3TPdwYm
UniFi Protect G4 Bullet: https://amzn.to/4cJqSOl
UniFi Protect G4 Pro: https://amzn.to/43VyNUU
Pause HVAC (Climate)
Honeywell Home T5 WiFi Smart Thermostat: https://amzn.to/3Sz4XBf
Ring Alarm Contact Sensor (2nd Gen): https://amzn.to/3SPUwsb
🔗 LINKS
Video article: https://www.michaelsleen.com/easy-automation-ideas/
Arrive Home Unlock Door Blueprint
https://shop.michaelsleen.com/products/arrive-home-unlock-door-blueprint
Washing Machine Notification Blueprint
https://shop.michaelsleen.com/products/washing-machine-notification-blueprint
Dryer Notification Blueprint
https://shop.michaelsleen.com/products/dryer-notification-blueprint
Low Battery Blueprint
https://go.michaelsleen.com/low-battery-blueprint
Pause HVAC Blueprint
https://go.michaelsleen.com/pause-hvac-blueprint
Tech I use: https://www.michaelsleen.com/tech/
Merch and downloads: https://shop.michaelsleen.com/
Try Google Workspace: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/fxhR
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🎵 MUSIC CREDIT
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📘 CHAPTERS
00:00 – Introduction
00:47 – Windowless Rooms (Lights)
01:37 – Natural Light and Privacy Control (Window Shades)
02:16 – ThirdReality (Sponsor)
03:25 – Warm Indoor Temperature (Ceiling Fans)
04:28 – Arrive Home (Locks)
05:00 – Step Out at Night Briefly (Locks)
05:36 – Low Battery Alerts (Notifications)
06:10 – Laundry Alerts (Notifications)
06:52 – Grocery Shopping (Zones)
07:22 – Animal Deterrent (Irrigation)
08:07 – Pause HVAC (Climate)
08:40 – Final thoughts
ℹ️ AFFILIATE LINKS
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great automation!!!
Thanks for the great video man, really loving your content!
Do you have a more in depth video/description for the shopping list automation? How do you actually get that to pop up when you’re at the store? Thanks man!
If you could, would you go deeper into showing how you set up the grocery stuff? How do you and wife share a list? I use Alexa for that now but would like to use HA
i have been watching your videos for quite some time now
i learnt a lot and tried some small projects
i was looking to build a human presence sensor to help me create various automation
i tried pir sensor but that doesn’t help so i did some research and tried to build using esp32 c3 and waveshare mmwave sensor but even after multiple attempts Home Assistant shows unavailable
could you please help me out with that
I’ve seen a couple smart home automations for water sprinklers/sirens to chase away Racoons now but I think your automation was the one that started the trend everyone followed.
Curious is how you have protect to trigger the sprinklers… something you would share?
Iv got a button but it goes dead after a couple of hours
Nice one!
Damn… this seems to be a little bit too much
I have a similar setup when I walk in a room with no windows, it’s triggered to switch on the light but my problem is that it takes about 12 seconds before the light switches on, I’ve investigated but found that it’s the sensor that contacts the internet to then send signal to switch on the light , this takes too long, can’t find a way to make it shorter.
Overcomplicating your storage closet.. Literally can get a phisical contact sensor for 1£ and hard wire it. 🤷
4:13 — Can I ask what method or mechanism you’re using to mount your mmWave presence sensor to the top of your blinds?
Enjoyed the content, always find the automations shown by content creators enjoyable and informative. Have you thought of doing a video with everyday users automations along with in-depth content when you come across any really interesting/different examples. Keep up the enjoyable content.
In my garage, I used a contact door sensor just like you did, but I added a zigbee presence sensor that will keep the light on, after the door closes, if we are in the garage.
Do you have a blueprint or video walkthrough for the low battery notification? That seems to be a very useful one for me.
Wow! I am soooo impressed.
Where did you place your bond bridge? Was it able to control all the fans in your house or just the one that you showed in the video?
Thanks for sharing the security vulnerabilities of your house. We’ll be sending two of our less experienced thieves over shortly.
The 3rd Reality light switch is a fantastic device. I desired automation in specific rooms but was unable to replace some of the switches. This will simplify several automation tasks considerably. Thank you for the excellent video.
Great useful automations! I’m going to use the locks automations and battery alert.
Did the same thing for my HVAC system. After any door or window is left open for 60 seconds it turns off the ecobee thermostat. Big energy saver.
Brilliant, thanks for the video. I have a question I’m hoping you may have an answer for. I have a ceiling fan that is controlled by IR controller. Is there a way to convert IR to bluetooth or wifi so I can add it to my smart home devices?