Homey had a record-breaking December with 81 new apps. But for energy automation, two updates stand out: proper mmWave presence sensor support and new solar/energy management integrations. Here's what's worth your attention.
mmWave Presence Sensors: Finally Proper Support
The biggest news for energy automations: Homey now officially supports the Aqara FP2 (also known as the FP300 in some markets) and the SwitchBot Presence Sensor. Both are mmWave radar sensors, and both are now featured in Homey's Best Buy Guide.
Why does this matter for energy? Because presence detection is the foundation of occupancy-based automation. Standard PIR motion sensors only detect movement. mmWave sensors detect presence—even when you're sitting still reading a book.
Energy Automation Use Cases
- HVAC zone control: Stop heating empty rooms. mmWave tells you if someone is actually in the room, not just passing through.
- Lighting optimization: Lights that stay on while you're working, off when you leave. No more waving at sensors.
- Standby power management: TV entertainment centers can power down completely when no one's in the living room for 30+ minutes.
The Aqara FP2 runs about €60-70 and covers a single room well. The SwitchBot option is slightly cheaper but requires their hub. Both integrate cleanly with Homey Pro now.
IKEA Matter-over-Thread: Budget Smart Lighting
IKEA's new KAJPLATS bulbs are now fully supported through Homey's Matter integration. These are Thread-enabled bulbs, meaning they form a mesh network and don't need a dedicated hub beyond your Homey Pro.
For energy automation, the appeal is simple: cheap, reliable bulbs you can schedule and automate. KAJPLATS bulbs run €8-12 each, significantly cheaper than Philips Hue equivalents.
Combine these with presence sensors and you have occupancy-based lighting without breaking the bank. Homey handles the automation logic; the bulbs just need to respond reliably.
New Energy Management Apps
December brought several energy-focused apps to the Homey App Store:
Sigenergy Integration
Sigenergy makes hybrid inverters and battery systems popular in the European market. The new Homey app lets you monitor production, consumption, and battery state—and trigger automations based on that data.
APsystems Solar Panels
For those running APsystems microinverters, there's now a dedicated app to read power and energy production directly into Homey. Useful for solar-based automations like "run the dishwasher when production exceeds 2kW."
Fronius GEN24 Modbus Control
Advanced users with Fronius GEN24 inverters can now control them via Modbus TCP. This enables more sophisticated battery management strategies—like forcing charge during negative prices or limiting export during peak demand.
Spot Scheduler
This app helps you schedule devices based on electricity spot prices. If you're on a dynamic tariff (increasingly common in Europe), this is exactly the kind of integration that pays for itself.
What This Means for Your Setup
If you're running Homey for energy automation, here's the practical takeaway:
- Consider mmWave sensors for rooms where you spend time sitting (office, living room). The automation possibilities expand significantly.
- IKEA KAJPLATS bulbs are now a viable budget option for Homey users. Thread support means they're fast and reliable.
- Check if your solar/battery system has a new app. The ecosystem is expanding rapidly.
The 81 new apps in December weren't all energy-related, but the ones that were show Homey maturing as a serious platform for home energy management. The presence sensor support alone makes it worth revisiting your automation strategies.
Homey vs Home Assistant for Energy
Quick comparison for those deciding between platforms:
- Homey Pro: Easier setup, polished app experience, curated device support. Best for users who want things to "just work."
- Home Assistant: More flexibility, larger integration library, steeper learning curve. Best for users who want maximum control.
Both platforms now support the key devices for energy automation. Your choice depends more on how much time you want to spend configuring versus using your smart home.
Our guides cover both platforms—because the automation strategies work regardless of which hub you're running.