this post was submitted on 30 Sep 2025
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best way to replace timer? (lemmy.zip)
submitted 3 weeks ago by shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world
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Currently, I have an automation that turns on my air conditioner for 37 minutes, every 3 hours. However, during that time, I cannot do anything like update, HAOS, etc. Because it breaks the timer, and then I have to manually shut it off.

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[โ€“] Bryan065@kbin.earth 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

i would probably do it with two+ automations. Something like:

ON automation:

  • trigger:
    • time pattern - beginning of every 3 hours
  • then:
    • start timer with duration 37 minutes (select your timer helper)
    • Turn on AC unit

OFF automation:

  • trigger:
    • Manual Event
      • event type: timer.finished (case sensitive!)
      • event data : entity_id: timer.[timer_helper_entity]
  • then:
    • turn off AC unit

STARTUP_CHECK automation:

  • trigger:
    • when home assistant is started
  • if:
    • state - timer helper is idle
    • AC is on
  • then:
    • turn AC off

Note 1: make sure the timer helper has restore state and time when HA starts enabled

note 2: automations using the timer.finished event will not trigger on startup if the timer expires when Home Assistant is not running.

note 2a: the third automation is for your edge case that you reboot/shutdown HA when the OFF automation was supposed to fire. it should ensure the AC turns off after the timer was supposed to be finished and HA is started. this automation does not account for if the AC is turned on manually and you restart HA.

i can get you the .YAML or pictures when I'm at a computer.

[โ€“] dream_weasel@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

@shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip you may also want an additional automation to start your ac at a particular time and reset the timer if you are concerned about drift in your AC schedule. I could see, for example, ensuring that it's running before you go to bed so it's cool for example.

Definitely multiple automations is the answer, this is almost exactly how I manage my hydroponic tower, except that I don't worry about the timer and I give it a manual run if I reboot (or don't. the plants can go a few hours without running the pump).