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 3 days ago* (last edited 3 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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[โ€“] batshit@lemmy.world 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Sadly, can't do that because it will trigger when I'm cleaning the shower or just soaking in the bathtub

[โ€“] Prunebutt@slrpnk.net 2 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Then get creative with the sensor data. Look at the time it's open when you shower compared to when you're cleaning.

Or add a door sensor to the cleaning cabinet.

You can get a lot more out of a sensor than a boolean on/off, if you're willing to analyse the data a bit. (Who needs a smart washing machine, if they can analyse the power usage?)

Or add an override button for when you don't want the moodlight. Make the most common usage the default and use manual intervention when it's not the usual occasion.

EDIT:
You'll want to be able to easily override anything like that, anyways. When there's some kind of reason to respond quickly (some emergency for example). You don't want to be stuck with mood light, when you accidently slip and get injured (when you're also naked and wet).