Blinds on Smart Home? Sure — But Secure!

The automation you hopefully never need – but absolutely should have

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0200

My first video about the XSense smoke detectors surprised me a little. Not because of the numbers – but because of one particular moment in the video.

I’d briefly mentioned what I’d built for the Home Assistant integration: when a smoke detector goes off, all lights come on, all blinds go up, and I get a push notification on my phone. Just a quick aside because it fit the topic. But those few seconds apparently triggered something – in the comments, and at XSense itself.

How this video came about

Shortly after publishing the first video, XSense reached out. I explained the blind and automatic light idea in an email – and they found it so interesting that they asked me to make a detailed video about it. Show exactly how it’s built. What happens step by step. And why.

So here it is.

Why this automation matters more than it sounds

I’ll say it plainly: this isn’t a cool toy. This is an automation I hope you never need. But if you do need it, every second counts.

In a fire, two things rob you of the precious time to escape: disorientation and panic. Someone woken from sleep in the middle of the night often doesn’t immediately know where they are, where the door is, how to get out. And if everything is dark and the blinds are down – that’s a serious problem.

A well-designed automation can help counter exactly that. Not as a replacement for smoke detectors, escape route plans or fire extinguishers – but as one more layer that works silently and reliably when it matters.

What’s in the video

I build the complete automation live – from the MQTT entity of the smoke detector to the finished, tested automation chain in Home Assistant.

What happens when an alarm is triggered:

Push notification to your smartphone – immediately, even if you’re not home
All lights come on – escape routes become visible, no one stumbles in the dark
All blinds go up – windows become accessible as emergency exits, firefighters can see what’s happening from outside

I also show what to watch out for when building it so the automation works when it actually matters – including when the internet is down or Home Assistant just restarted.

And I explain why I deliberately didn’t add an automatic emergency call – it sounds like a good idea, but in practice it isn’t.

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What have you already automated for emergencies at home? Write it in the comments – I’m genuinely curious how you’ve solved this.

The devices from the video

The XSense system the automation is built on:

6-pack starter set + base station (affiliate link): 👉 XS01-M 6-pack at XSense
12-pack + base station (affiliate link): 👉 XS01-M 12-pack at XSense
Discount code: safexsense → 12% off your entire order (valid in X-Sense shop only), combinable with site promotions
Alternatively via Amazon: 👉 XSense smoke detectors on Amazon (affiliate link)

This video was made in collaboration with XSense. Affiliate links: the price stays the same for you, but you support the work on my channel.

Note: Links marked with affiliate link are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!
― Joachim

Home Assistant A-Z: J is for Blinds - More Than Just Up and Down

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Welcome to the A-Z Series: J is for Blinds

In today’s episode of the Home Assistant A-Z Series we tackle a topic with far more potential than most people realize: blinds and roller shutters! From elegant dashboard control and time-based automations to fully automatic, sun-dependent shading – I’ll show you how to make your home more energy-efficient and comfortable.

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More Than Just Up and Down

Most people use their smart roller shutters only for the basics. But there’s so much more potential hiding in them! In this article and the accompanying video I’ll walk you through:

Dashboard control with live feedback
Time-based and event-driven automations
Groups and template sensors for a quick overview
Fully automatic, sun-dependent shading
Seasonal adjustments to your setup

Dashboard Control: The Foundation

The first step toward smart roller shutters is intuitive control through your dashboard.

Position Control with Live Feedback

If your roller shutters can report their position back, you can see in Home Assistant not just the current status, but also:

Move to precise intermediate positions using a slider
Watch live as the shutter reaches the desired position
Use classic Open/Close/Stop controls on a secondary level

In the video you’ll see how elegant this looks in practice!

Visualization on Floor Plans

Things get especially clear when you project your roller shutters onto a floor plan of your home. At a glance you can see:

Which shutters are open
Which are currently closing
The status of all windows at the same time

Under the hood: A simple picture-elements card with positioned shutter controls. I show you exactly how this works in the video!

Time-Based Automations: The Smart Home Classic

Constantly tapping buttons isn’t smart – so let’s automate!

Automation 1: Close Automatically at Night

The first useful automation makes sure roller shutters are closed at night. You can use various triggers:

State-based: When you go to bed (Smart Home state “Night”)
Time-based: At a specific time (different for weekdays and weekends)
Condition-driven: Only when it’s cool outside (to make use of the insulating effect)

In the video I show you concrete examples from my own setup!

Automation 2: Open Automatically in the Morning

Symmetrically, when you get up in the morning the shutters open again automatically. Alternatively, you can use the sun’s position as a trigger.

Intelligent Schedules with Helpers

For different schedules (weekday vs. weekend) schedule helpers are perfect. You can define them as “quiet hours” and reference them in your automations.

Groups and Overview: Everything Under Control

Grouping Roller Shutters

You can create any groups of roller shutters you like – for example:

All shutters in the living room
All shutters on the south-facing side
All shutters in the entire house

With a single click you can then open or close all shutters in that group.

Template Sensor for an Overview

A small template sensor shows you on your dashboard how many roller shutters are currently closed:

sensor:
  - platform: template
    sensors:
      closed_covers_count:
        friendly_name: "Closed Roller Shutters"
        value_template: >
          {{ states.cover 
             | selectattr('state', 'eq', 'closed') 
             | list | count }}

This way you always have a clear overview! In the video you can see how I use this on my dashboard.

Automatic Shading: The Game Changer

Now things get really interesting: fully automatic, sun-dependent shading!

The Two Components

My system consists of two automation groups:

1. Sun Position Calculation per Facade

The first group calculates for each cardinal direction whether the sun is currently shining on that facade:

Blueprint-based: I use a blueprint that I’ve instantiated four times
One helper per facade: North, South, East, West
Dynamic calculation: Takes the current sun position into account

I cover the technical details and the blueprint thoroughly in the video!

2. Individual Control per Window

The second group controls each individual roller shutter:

One blueprint per shutter: Each shutter can be configured individually
Window contacts taken into account: Window open? Shutter stays up!
References the sun-position helpers: Only closes when the sun shines on that facade

Example from my setup: The roller shutter in the utility room on the north side closes as soon as the sun (even in summer, only at the edges of the day) shines on that facade.

Why One Automation per Window?

This approach enables maximum flexibility:

Each shutter can be individually enabled or disabled
Different rooms can be controlled differently
Seasonal adjustments are easy to make

Seasonal Configuration: Adapting Throughout the Year

The great thing about this system: you can adjust which rooms should be shaded as the seasons change.

My Scenarios

Winter (currently):

✅ All shading automations disabled
🌞 I enjoy every ray of sunshine that enters the apartment

Transition periods (spring/autumn):

✅ Only bedroom automations enabled
🏠 Rest of the apartment: sunshine welcome
😴 Bedroom: should stay cool

Midsummer:

✅ All shading automations enabled
❄️ Maximum cooling through consistent shading

On my dashboard I have an elegant overview where I can see at a glance which automations are active. I show you this view live in the video!

Hardware Basics

Wondering how to make your roller shutters smart in the first place?

In my Shelly roller shutter video I cover in detail:

Hardware selection (Shelly Plus 2PM, Gen3, Gen4)
Wiring in the flush-mount box
Software setup and security
Home Assistant integration

👉 To the Shelly Blinds Video

The Blueprints in Detail

The blueprints for sun-position calculation and individual control are the core of my system.

Interested in the details? Let me know in the comments under the video! If there’s enough interest, I’ll make a bonus video dedicated to these blueprints, covering:

Complete code
Step-by-step explanation
Customization options
Download links

Practical Benefits in Everyday Life

What does this actually get you?

Comfort

Automatic adjustment to sunlight
Never need to manually intervene again
Smart Home thinks ahead – even when you’re not home

Energy Efficiency

Cooler rooms in summer through consistent shading
Warmer rooms in winter through the insulating effect at night
Less air conditioning/heating required

Security

Presence simulation while on vacation
Automatic closing during storms possible
Integration with alarm systems

Level 1 – Basics:

Add roller shutters to Home Assistant
Set up dashboard control
Create first time-based automations

Level 2 – Comfort: 4. Create groups 5. Add template sensors for overview 6. Visualize on floor plan

Level 3 – Pro: 7. Implement sun-position calculation 8. Set up individual shading automations 9. Configure seasonal adjustments

I walk you through every step in detail in the video!

Further Links

Do you already have a dynamic electricity tariff? Tibber is one of the first providers to offer such a tariff in Germany. I’ve been a customer since October 2022, and it’s been a thoroughly positive experience. Tibber offers a clearly structured, modern app where you always have full oversight of your electricity tariff and costs. Pricing is very transparent: Tibber only charges what electricity actually costs on the exchange at any given moment (plus standard grid fees, etc.), plus a service fee of just €3.99 per month.

If Tibber sounds like an option for you, I’d be glad if you sign up via my referral link. That gets both you and me €100 for the Tibber Store, where you can buy various IoT hardware for your smart home. If you’re already a Tibber customer and haven’t used a referral link, you can still do so within 14 days — use code vkccaupl.

Have questions or still unsure? Don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m happy to help you figure out whether Tibber is the right choice for you. And if it turns out it isn’t — you can cancel Tibber month by month at any time!

Thank you for your support! It makes it possible for me to keep creating videos for you.

― Joachim

More helpful articles from the A-Z Series:

Hardware:

Shelly Blind Control

The Home Assistant A-Z Series brings you the most important Home Assistant concepts in short videos and in-depth articles. A new letter every Sunday, a little more knowledge each time!

Make Your Blinds Smart with Shelly – No Cloud, Local, and Affordable!

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The Problem: Electric Roller Shutters, But Not Smart

You have electric roller shutters or blinds, but still have to operate them directly at the wall switch? That’s a real shame, because an electric motor is already halfway there to a smart blind!

With a Shelly module, you can make your existing roller shutters smart and integrate them into your smart home – completely local, without any cloud dependency and surprisingly affordable.

In the new video I show you the complete implementation!

To load the video, please click the image. Please note that by doing so, data will be transmitted to YouTube.

Why Shelly for Blinds?

✅ Completely Local

No cloud connection required
Works even during internet outages
Your data stays with you

✅ Affordable and Flexible

Shelly Plus 2PM: ~€20–25
Older Shelly 2.5: Even cheaper
Fits in any in-wall junction box

✅ Safe Installation

Built-in safety functions
Prevents simultaneous activation of both directions
Calibration for precise positioning

Choosing the Right Hardware

In the video I show various Shelly models:

Note: Links marked with affiliate link are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I receive a small commission if you purchase through these links — at no extra cost to you. The revenue helps me run this blog and YouTube channel and keep creating content. Thank you for your support!
― Joachim

Recommendation: Shelly Plus 2PM

Current successor model
Lowest price on the market
Perfect for blinds and roller shutters
Shelly Plus 2PM on Amazon (paid link) ← most affordable option

Alternative: Shelly 2 Gen3

New generation with more features
Shelly 2 Gen3 on Amazon (paid link)

Latest Generation: Shelly 2 Gen4

Newest version available
Shelly 2 Gen4 on Amazon (paid link)

You can safely save money and stick with the Plus devices!

Wiring: What You Need to Watch Out For

Correct wiring is crucial! In the video I explain step by step:

Power Supply:

Neutral wire (N) and live wire (L) from the in-wall junction box
Connected to the corresponding terminals of the Shelly

Switch Connection:

Route the live wire through to the wall switch
“Up” switch and “Down” switch to S1 and S2
Order doesn’t matter – can be changed in software later

Motor Connection:

Outputs O1 and O2 to the roller shutter motor
O1: Move up
O2: Move down
Again: order can be changed later in software

⚠️ Important: Always follow 230V electrical safety rules!

Software Setup: Safety First

1. Secure Initial Setup

In the video I show two approaches:

Recommended: Shelly App

✅ Uses Bluetooth (encrypted)
✅ More secure than hotspot
✅ Easy to use

Alternative: Hotspot

⚠️ Unencrypted
⚠️ Wi-Fi password can be intercepted
✅ Works without the app

2. Disable the Cloud

Important for local use:

Set Cloud Settings to “Disabled”
Set Server to “Disconnected”
Why? Complete local control

3. Device Profile: The Critical Setting

You absolutely must configure this:

Settings → Device Profile → “Cover”

Why is this so important?

Prevents simultaneous activation of both outputs
Without this setting: Motor damage is possible!
Shelly then “knows” it’s controlling a roller shutter

Calibration and Fine-Tuning

Check Directions

After the initial setup:

Test the buttons on the web interface
Wrong direction? → Enable Reverse Directions
Check wall switch → Enable Swap Inputs if needed

Calibration Run

Enables precise positioning:

What happens:

Roller shutter moves completely down
Then completely up
Stops at various intermediate positions
Result: Any position can be precisely controlled

In the video you can see the entire process live!

Home Assistant Integration

Automatic Discovery

It’s this easy:

Install the Shelly Integration in Home Assistant
New devices are discovered automatically
One click → Integration complete

Dashboard and Automations

After integration:

✅ Display roller shutters on the dashboard
✅ Create automations:
- Automatic opening/closing
- Sun protection during intense sunlight
- Time-based schedules

Tip: I’ll show more blind automations in Home Assistant in an upcoming video!

Practical Benefits in Daily Life

Convenience

App control from anywhere in the home
Automation based on time of day
Scenes for different situations

Security

Presence simulation while on vacation
Automatic closing during storms
Integration into a security system

Energy Efficiency

Intelligent sun protection reduces cooling costs
Heat retention in winter by closing at the right time
Light optimization through precise positioning

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Investment:

Shelly Plus 2PM: ~€20–25
Installation: DIY-friendly with basic knowledge
Ongoing costs: None (local solution)

Alternative: Ready-Made Smart Blinds

Cost: €200–500+ per roller shutter
Cloud dependency: Usually required
Flexibility: Tied to the manufacturer

Conclusion: The Shelly solution is significantly cheaper and more flexible!

Avoiding Common Mistakes

❌ Forgetting the Device Profile

Problem: Motor can be damaged Solution: Always set it to “Cover”

❌ Wrong Wiring

Problem: Roller shutters move in the wrong direction Solution: Correction possible in software

❌ Leaving the Cloud Enabled

Problem: Dependency on manufacturer servers Solution: Deliberately disable the cloud

❌ Skipping Calibration

Problem: No precise positioning Solution: Run the calibration sequence

The Video Shows Everything Live

In the video you’ll see:

✅ Hardware comparison of various Shelly models
✅ Wiring diagram explained in detail
✅ Software setup step by step
✅ Home Assistant integration live
✅ Calibration in action
✅ Practical tips from my own installation

What’s Next: Even More Smart Home

More Shelly Use Cases:

Heating control (dedicated video available)
Light control with dimming
Garage door automation

Complex automations (upcoming video)
Time-based schedules
Weather-dependent control

Let me know in the comments:

How do you currently control your roller shutters?
Do you already have experience with Shelly?
What automation ideas do you have?

Make sure to watch the video – it shows every step live and gives you all the important details for a safe installation!

Blinds on Smart Home? Sure — But Secure!

The automation you hopefully never need – but absolutely should have

How this video came about

Why this automation matters more than it sounds

What’s in the video

The devices from the video

Home Assistant A-Z: J is for Blinds - More Than Just Up and Down

Welcome to the A-Z Series: J is for Blinds

More Than Just Up and Down

Dashboard Control: The Foundation

Position Control with Live Feedback

Visualization on Floor Plans

Time-Based Automations: The Smart Home Classic

Automation 1: Close Automatically at Night

Automation 2: Open Automatically in the Morning

Intelligent Schedules with Helpers

Groups and Overview: Everything Under Control

Grouping Roller Shutters

Template Sensor for an Overview

Automatic Shading: The Game Changer

The Two Components

1. Sun Position Calculation per Facade

2. Individual Control per Window

Why One Automation per Window?

Seasonal Configuration: Adapting Throughout the Year

My Scenarios

Hardware Basics

The Blueprints in Detail

Practical Benefits in Everyday Life

Comfort

Energy Efficiency

Security

Your Path to Smart Blind Control

Further Links

Make Your Blinds Smart with Shelly – No Cloud, Local, and Affordable!

The Problem: Electric Roller Shutters, But Not Smart

Why Shelly for Blinds?

✅ Completely Local

✅ Affordable and Flexible

✅ Safe Installation

Choosing the Right Hardware

Recommendation: Shelly Plus 2PM

Alternative: Shelly 2 Gen3

Latest Generation: Shelly 2 Gen4

Wiring: What You Need to Watch Out For

Power Supply:

Switch Connection:

Motor Connection:

Software Setup: Safety First

1. Secure Initial Setup

2. Disable the Cloud

3. Device Profile: The Critical Setting

Calibration and Fine-Tuning

Check Directions

Calibration Run

Home Assistant Integration

Automatic Discovery

Dashboard and Automations

Practical Benefits in Daily Life

Convenience

Security

Energy Efficiency

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Investment:

Alternative: Ready-Made Smart Blinds

Avoiding Common Mistakes

❌ Forgetting the Device Profile

❌ Wrong Wiring

❌ Leaving the Cloud Enabled

❌ Skipping Calibration

The Video Shows Everything Live

What’s Next: Even More Smart Home

More Shelly Use Cases:

Home Assistant Blind Features:

Share Your Experience

Further Reading