this post was submitted on 02 Apr 2026
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What's the best way to detect when I'm taking a shower? (lemmy.world)
submitted 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by batshit@lemmy.world to c/homeassistant@lemmy.world
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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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[–] Ravi@feddit.org 22 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (2 children)

Without trying something similar yet, here are some ideas:

  • motion sensor on top of your shower
  • trying to detect the vibration of the water flow
  • a simple switch that you hit before you get into the shower

Also think of other times you "use" the shower, like cleaning it. Some methods will also be triggered then.

[–] llii@discuss.tchncs.de 5 points 2 days ago

Also think of other times you “use” the shower, like cleaning it. Some methods will also be triggered then.

Yep. Sometimes these automations with all exceptions get so complicated that it's easier to just put a small button somewhere.

[–] batshit@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Good ideas, let's see

motion sensor on top of your shower

That'll detect my shower area motion not when shower in on. When I am cleaning the shower or sitting in a bathtub I don't want mood lighting or other automations to be triggered.

trying to detect the vibration of the water flow

Vibration sensor can work but it's a ceiling shower so I'll have to see if I have enough space. This is the closest to a viable solution given my situation.

a simple switch that you hit before you get into the shower

Yeah that's a fallback option, but I try to automate my home whenever I can and not perform manual tasks. I know my groggy morning self is forgetting to even hit this simple switch.

[–] dgriffith@aussie.zone 5 points 2 days ago

I would put a temperature sensor on the line feeding to your shower to trigger on a temperature rise, but it all depends whether it's accessible somewhere. Setting your trigger to something like 33 degrees would mean it only triggers on warm showers, cold showers you're on your own.