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submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by batshit@lemmy.world to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world

I would like to turn on mood lighting automatically when I'm taking a shower, what's the best way to detect that?

  • I've considered humidity sensors, but that will take a while to kick in and not immediately when the shower starts.
  • I've also considered a water leak sensor but those are not meant to be trigger every day for a long time like 10-15 minutes. That would kill the battery, right?
  • Smart valves can kind of work, but it feels like overkill because I don't care about the valve functionality.

I would prefer the solution to be battery powered (don't want to be messing with too many cables around a shower), but I can't seem to find one.

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[-] DecentM@lemmy.blahaj.zone 3 points 1 week ago

Couple ideas, depending on what you have:

  • When the warm water pipe heats up
  • when the water heater starts drawing more power
  • when the water meter detects warm water usage in the evening
  • when the sound volume goes up in the bathroom
  • when the weight sensors go off under the shower (or around it as you get in)
  • when a movement sensor detects movement in the shower
  • when a magnetic door sensor sees the shower curtains open
  • when you press a (waterproof) button in the shower
  • when a weight sensor under the shampoo holder detects less weight
this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2026
49 points (94.5% liked)

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