When it comes to home energy use, standby power can seem like that small leak in your roof — often overlooked until it leads to bigger problems. It’s estimated that standby power usage accounts for about 10% of residential energy consumption. This ‘phantom load’ comes from devices that spend significant time in standby mode rather than being fully off. What if you could automatically manage standby power consumption using smart home technology? Enter Node-RED! In this guide, we’ll walk you through building a Node-RED flow to help reduce your home’s standby power usage.
Let’s dive right in! To build this useful flow in Node-RED, you’ll need to follow these steps:
If you haven’t already, install Node-RED on your system. You can find a comprehensive installation guide in the Node-RED documentation.
node-red contrib modulesBased on what you intend to achieve, you may need some additional modules. For controlling smart plugs to turn off devices, you’ll want to install relevant node-red contrib modules. Check out the available options here.
To install a module, simply open the Node-RED menu, navigate to “Manage palette,” and click on the “Install” tab to search for modules such as node-red-contrib-switch or any specific device modules you might need.
Next, set up your smart plugs that can be turned on and off remotely. Ensure they’re integrated into your network and can be accessed via Node-RED.
Add an Input Node: Start with an input node (like a timer or a button) that triggers your flow. This could allow you to schedule when to cut off power.
Add Functionality to Control Power: Use a switch node to define conditions for when the smart plugs should be turned off. You can set a timer (e.g., using an inject node to automatically turn them off at a certain time).
Connect to the Smart Plug Nodes: Connect your logic to the smart plugs that control the power status.
Deploy Your Flow: Once connected, click “Deploy” to activate your flow. You can test it to ensure your devices respond as expected.
Here’s a brief example of what your flow could look like in the editor:
[Inject Node] --> [Switch Node] --> [Smart Plug Node]
This flow would trigger based on a time schedule, and the switch will control whether to send the command to turn off the power to the connected device.
Smart Reminders: Use additional nodes to set reminders for turning off devices. You can configure announcements using Alexa skills or notifications to ensure you never forget.
Energy Monitoring: If your smart plugs support energy monitoring, use this feedback in Node-RED to assess how much energy you’re saving over time.
Visualize Data: Consider creating a basic dashboard with node-red dashboard examples to visualize your energy consumption data and patterns.
Let’s address some common pitfalls:
Nodes Not Communicating: If your smart plugs are not responding, check your network connection. Ensure that Node-RED can access the devices on the same network.
Flow Not Triggering: Ensure your inject node has the correct settings and check if the flow is properly deployed. If necessary, inject manually to ensure connectivity.
High Consumption Not Reducing: If you find that the standby power is not reducing significantly, consider re-evaluating which devices you are controlling. Not all devices will respond similarly to power cuts.
Building a Node-RED flow to manage standby power is a fantastic way to contribute to energy efficiency. Not only does it help save on utility bills, but it also promotes a more sustainable lifestyle. By integrating Node-RED with your smart home devices, you can take greater control over energy consumption, making your home not just smarter, but greener too.
So, why wait? Start experimenting with your Node-RED flows today and see how easy it can be to reduce standby power in your home! For more inspiration and project ideas, be sure to check out more Node-RED flow examples. Happy automating!