Home Assistant: A Kernel Dev's Journey to Smart Home Freedom

A kernel developer recounts their experience using Home Assistant, an open-source home automation system, to manage their smart home. The article details how Home Assistant solved real-world problems: replacing a defunct solar panel monitoring system after SunPower's bankruptcy, creating virtual sensors to calculate home energy consumption using 'Helpers', locally controlling Mitsubishi heat pumps without cloud dependency, and using a Refoss power monitor to precisely track appliance energy usage and diagnose issues. Home Assistant offers complete control but requires a technical learning curve.