Brent Saltzman

  1. How to use Home Assistant's new Energy Management with your Utility's Smart Meter

    Back in the August 2021 release [https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2021/08/04/release-20218/] of Home Assistant [https://www.home-assistant.io], Energy Management for your home [https://www.home-assistant.io/home-energy-management/] was introduced. This system combines energy delivery, energy production, energy storage, and energy usage into one single pane…

  2. Using the File Integration in Home Assistant to create a log file

    Using the Notify File component Home Assistant can create a log file of just about anything you want! Learn how to create a text log file such as each time your sump pump runs along with weather conditions and other relevant information.…

  3. Adding a Belt Clip to your Leatherman Nylon Sheath

    Those that know me are well aware that I'm a huge fan of Leatherman multitools. I will never leave the house without one nor will I never be far away from one if I'm not wearing one on my hip or in my pocket. I have…

  4. Bring your Webex status into Home Assistant

    If you have been working from home like me since the start of March 2020, you have come to rely on tools like Webex Teams, Microsoft Teams, Slack and other channel style collaboration tools to keep in touch with your team and keep projects and tasks moving. I've…

  5. Looking up shutter actuations for your Canon DSLR for Free

    Recently I wanted to look up the shutter actuations for my Canon 5D Mark III to see where it was at within it's lifespan and if you go out on Google there are a number of results that claim to help you find the shutter count for free,…

  6. Monitoring your Sump Pump with Home Assistant

    With thunderstorm season upon us, I thought it would be fitting to talk about monitoring sump pumps. When I purchased my house one of the first things I immediately wanted to do with my smart home was figure out a way to see if my sump pump was doing its…