Triggers based on heating / cooling events

[leppert]

I'd like to trigger automations when the heat or ac kicks on and wondered if this is already possible with the plugin. If not, I hoped to raise it here as a feature request.

User story: As a user who keeps their thermostat set to "auto" (where the AC turns on above a certain temperature and the heat turns on below a certain temperature), I'd like to create an automation in the Home app that closes my motorized blinds when the AC turns on and opens them again when the AC turns off. I'd like for this automation not to be triggered when the heat or fan (without AC) turn on or off.

Thanks for a great plugin and apologies if this is readily available and apparent with the existing plugin—I'm a relative HomeKit and HomeBridge newbie.

[grivkees]

Not possible right now. Homekit only makes it possible to trigger automation on certain things, for example you can trigger on the room temperature, or the system fan going on, but not on the thermostat actively heating or cooling.

The typical way to do this is with 'dummy' switches, since switches are always a trigger option for homekit automations. There may be a way to do this with other standalone dummy switch plugins, but I'm not sure.

I'll mark this as a feature request. Offering trigger switches for things like this is a good idea.

[etomnash]

Another reason for switches indicating zone heating/cooling state is to have a visible indication in the Home app of what is going on. There have been glitches in the Carrier system turning everything on and it would be very useful to be able to see those at a glance in the Home app. In Homebridge the Zone accessory button has Current Heating Cooling State visible if you click the yellow button in upper RH corner. So if that could be passed through to HomeKit, as switches it would be ideal.

And, let me add my thanks for a great and extremely valuable PlugIn!