It’s got a nice component to go with it, so setting up is easier. I particularly use it for scheduling thermostats, and find it much more user friendly. Sure I could do it with automations, but I’d either have one, massively unwieldy one with lots of states and triggers, or lots of individual ones.

This custom component is what I use and love - https://github.com/nielsfaber/scheduler-component

Better than that, if you are after more than one (and with GU10s, who isn’t?)

https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/tradfri-remote-control-kit-smart-wireless-dimmable-white-spectrum-50517642/

This gives you 3 bulbs and a handy remote that also works with HA.

Thanks for the link. I knew nothing about him and that was cool.

Great answer, thank you!

Got any project details for that? A BOM, or even a link to an enclosure on things or printables?

It does! They added it a while ago, you need to tick the restore check box when you create it and it will survive reboots. It’s very clever.

Nice tutorial! You used a date time helper. I did something similar using a timer helper instead.

You set the timer for your duration, then every time you turn on/off the boiler you ‘reset’ the timer. You can then have a trigger in your automation for when the timer reaches zero. Same solution but without the need to work with templates and other ‘codish’ things.

Timer Helper

You need Alexa Media Player

This integration will allow you to call a service that does TTS for whatever text you send it. I use it to announce when my wife gets home if I’m in the study at the back of the house. I mean, I say ‘announce’ but the message is “she’s home. Panic and tidy!”

Is this your site? If it is, thanks! It’s usually my go to for figuring out what is supported, links to what the pairing process is etc.

I’ve been using HA for a long time. I love that it is capable of aggregating all the data sources and orchestrating all the different sensors that are on the market. I haven’t used everything below, but I have used a lot of it and can give some pointers.

Instead of a Conbee II I would suggest the Sonoff Dongle. I reached a point when I had a lot of devices that the conbee couldn’t quite keep up.

I have smart bulbs from ikea, innr, linkind, Aldi. They all paired to the zigbee mesh pretty well. I also had some Osram ones that didn’t behave as relays so I took them out.

The BT sensors look nice, and I believe they integrate with HA well, but your HA needs to be in BT range for them to be able to communicate. You could also look at the Sonoff environment sensors. I use these tucked away in different rooms and they are great.

Cameras, the general advice is to make sure they support RTSP and ONVIF, with brands being Hikvision, Dahua or Amcrest. Everyone will say you should feed your cameras into a Network recorder first, with options often recommended being BlueIris, Frigate. I use Frigate.

Feel free to ask any follow up questions, I’ll do my best to guide.