Not sure where to start with home automation? A contact sensor can improve your home’s security by reporting any suspicious activity, but there’s much more you can do with it. Take a look at the ideas you should try at home with Homey.
Contact Sensor Inspiration
Are you leaving for work and not sure you closed all the doors and windows? With a couple of contact sensors and a smart home system, you can always rest assured that your property is safe. With Homey, it’s easy to check the state of your home manually or set up an automated warning with a Homey Flow in case things go awry.
However, there are also plenty of creative applications of door/window sensors that can make your home more comfortable and, most of all, smarter. We’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started and have fun with your smart home devices!
Protect the valuables
Did you know that contact sensors bring peace of mind even when they’re not mounted to a door or a window? Protect your possessions and lower the risk of damage with this neat trick – hide a contact sensor in a storage unit with valuables or inside your safety deposit box. It can then trigger a warning when anyone tries to break in.
Childproof your home
An existing magnet, for example, the one found on a cabinet door or baby gate, can replace the magnet part of your contact sensor. This will help you secure a cabinet with dangerous cleaning supplies or even your bar, childproofing your home effortlessly. When you create this Flow, opening the cabinet will immediately update you on your phone, unless you press a hidden button only you know about.
Remember the meds
A contact sensor can also be of use when placed inside a medicine cabinet, reminding you to take your pills. The automation might be a bit more complex to set up, but staying healthy is definitely worth the effort.
Before you start with Flows, create a variable called “Meds Taken” in the Homey Smartphone App under More -> Logic. The variable will store the daily status of your medications.
Afterward, set up the following Flows. The first one will update the Meds Taken variable based on your cabinet being opened on a particular day.
The second Flow will send a 9am reminder if you haven’t taken your meds in the morning, and the third one will reset the status every day at midnight.
Mind the weather
Based on the current weather, Homey can warn you to close the windows when the outdoor temperature gets too high in the summer or too low in the winter. You’ll always stay cozy indoors, lower the power consumption of your AC or heating unit, and save money on utilities.
Prevent flooding
Door/window sensors help prevent flooding in unexpected places, such as your attic, basement, or loft. Keep your property and possessions safe and sound with Homey – create a handy update for when it starts raining and you’ve accidentally kept your windows open.
Keep the bathroom fresh
Ready for that piping hot morning shower? Stop your bathroom from turning into a steam sauna with this Flow to maintain your home climate. Place a contact sensor on the shower door, and when it closes, you can turn on the exhaust fan or a smart plug controlling your dehumidifier. Add another Flow card to turn off the device after a desired time.
Enjoy your morning
Waking up on a workday can be difficult, so automate something you can look forward to every day. As an example, make your morning more pleasant by placing a contact sensor on the bedroom door. Homey will turn on your coffee machine and start a relaxing Spotify playlist as you leave the bedroom after waking up.
Remember to unload the dishwasher
There’s always a possibility to make “dumb” devices smarter with Homey. If your dishwasher pops open its door when it's done with the dishes, get a gentle nudge or simply tell your kids there’s a chore waiting for them. Homey will remind people in your household to unload the freshly cleaned dishes, pots, and cutlery.
Get notified when mail arrives
Speaking of mail – when snail mail has been delivered, your mailbox can smartly ask your family to pick up the mail. With a little help from a contact sensor, you’ll never miss an important bill or letter when it arrives.
Conclusion
Home automation with contact sensors can make your home more secure, but it doesn’t have to stop there. These sensors can bring you more comfort, make your daily routine smoother, and help you focus on the things that matter.
As you’ve seen in the Flows above, it’s possible to have lots of fun even with simple smart devices and a little bit of time. Let us know how you yourself automate your home with Homey Bridge or Homey Pro in original ways. Tag Homey in a tweet or a Facebook post, and we’ll feature the best Flows on our website.
