Let's dive into integrating your Broadlink and Daikin devices with Home Assistant! This guide will walk you through setting up these integrations, allowing you to control your Daikin air conditioner via Broadlink using Home Assistant. It will allow you to create automations, monitor the status, and manage your climate control efficiently. So, let's get started, guys!

Understanding the Basics

Before we jump into the nitty-gritty, it's crucial to understand what each component does and how they interact. Home Assistant acts as the central hub, Broadlink serves as the bridge for devices using infrared (IR) or radio frequency (RF) communication, and Daikin represents your air conditioning unit that you want to control.

Home Assistant: Think of Home Assistant as the brain of your smart home. It's open-source home automation software that puts local control and privacy first. It allows you to integrate various devices and services into a single platform. You can create automations, monitor device statuses, and control everything from a single interface. Home Assistant supports a vast range of integrations, making it a versatile choice for any smart home enthusiast.

Broadlink: Broadlink devices, like the RM4 Pro, act as universal remote controls. They can learn IR and RF codes from your existing remotes and then transmit those signals to control your devices. This is particularly useful for devices that don't have native smart home capabilities. By integrating Broadlink with Home Assistant, you can control these legacy devices through the Home Assistant interface, bringing them into your smart home ecosystem. The RM4 Pro is a popular choice due to its wide compatibility and reliable performance.

Daikin: Daikin is a well-known brand of air conditioners and other HVAC systems. While some Daikin models come with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity, many older or simpler models do not. This is where Broadlink comes in handy. By using a Broadlink device to send IR commands to your Daikin unit, you can effectively make your air conditioner smart, even if it doesn't have native smart capabilities. This integration allows you to control your Daikin AC from anywhere, set schedules, and integrate it with other smart home devices.

The magic happens when these three components work together. Home Assistant sends a command, Broadlink transmits the corresponding IR or RF signal, and your Daikin air conditioner responds accordingly. This setup allows you to control your Daikin AC remotely, automate its operation based on various triggers, and monitor its status, all from within the Home Assistant ecosystem. So, you are essentially making your dumb device smart! Now, let's get to installing the necessary components.

Setting Up Broadlink Integration

First, let's get the Broadlink integration up and running in Home Assistant. This is a crucial step as it allows Home Assistant to communicate with your Broadlink device. Follow these steps carefully to ensure a smooth setup.

1. Install the Broadlink Integration:

   • Go to your Home Assistant interface. Navigate to "Configuration" -> "Integrations".
   • Click the "+" button to add a new integration.
   • Search for "Broadlink" and select it.
   • Home Assistant should automatically discover your Broadlink device on your network. If it doesn't, you might need to manually enter the IP address of your Broadlink device.

2. Configure the Broadlink Device:

   • Once discovered, Home Assistant will prompt you to configure the Broadlink device.
   • You might need to provide the device's IP address and MAC address. You can usually find this information using the Broadlink mobile app or by checking your router's device list.
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the configuration.

3. Learn Daikin Remote Codes:

   • This is where the magic happens. You need to teach your Broadlink device the IR commands for your Daikin air conditioner.
   • In Home Assistant, go to "Developer Tools" -> "Services".
   • Select the remote.learn_command service.
   • In the service data field, enter the following YAML:

entity_id: remote.broadlink_device_name
device: Daikin AC
command: power_on

*   Replace `remote.broadlink_device_name` with the actual entity ID of your Broadlink device. Replace `power_on` with a descriptive name for the command you are learning.
*   Click "Call Service". Home Assistant will tell your Broadlink device to start learning.
*   Point your Daikin remote at the Broadlink device and press the corresponding button (e.g., the power button).
*   Home Assistant should confirm that the command has been learned.
*   Repeat this process for all the commands you want to control, such as power off, temperature up, temperature down, fan speed, and mode.

4. Test the Learned Commands:
   • After learning the commands, test them to make sure they work correctly.
   • Use the remote.send_command service in the Developer Tools.
   • Enter the following YAML:

entity_id: remote.broadlink_device_name
device: Daikin AC
command: power_on

*   Replace the placeholders with the correct values.
*   Click "Call Service". Your Daikin AC should respond to the command.

By following these steps, you'll successfully integrate your Broadlink device with Home Assistant and teach it the necessary commands to control your Daikin air conditioner. Remember to be patient and precise when learning the IR commands, as this is crucial for reliable control.

Integrating Daikin with Home Assistant

Now that your Broadlink is set up and knows the Daikin commands, you can integrate your Daikin AC into Home Assistant as a climate entity. This will allow you to control it using the Home Assistant interface and create automations.

1. Create a Climate Template:
   • You'll need to create a climate template in your configuration.yaml file. This template will define how Home Assistant interacts with your Daikin AC via the Broadlink device.
   • Open your configuration.yaml file (usually located in your Home Assistant configuration directory).
   • Add the following code to the file:

climate:
  - platform: template
    name: Daikin AC
    unique_id: daikin_ac
    modes:
      - "off"
      - "cool"
      - "heat"
      - "dry"
      - "fan_only"
    swing_modes:
      - "off"
      - "vertical"
      - "horizontal"
      - "both"
    fan_modes:
      - "auto"
      - "low"
      - "medium"
      - "high"
    temperature_unit: C
    target_temperature_step: 1
    min_temp: 16
    max_temp: 30
    current_temperature_template: "{{ state_attr('sensor.daikin_temperature', 'temperature') }}"
    mode_command_template: >-
      {% set mode = states('climate.daikin_ac') %}
      {% if mode == 'off' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='power_off') }}
      {% elif mode == 'cool' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='cool_mode') }}
      {% elif mode == 'heat' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='heat_mode') }}
      {% elif mode == 'dry' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='dry_mode') }}
      {% elif mode == 'fan_only' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='fan_mode') }}
      {% endif %}
    power_command_template: >-
      {% if is_state('climate.daikin_ac', 'off') %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='power_on') }}
      {% else %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='power_off') }}
      {% endif %}
    temperature_command_template: >-
      {% set target_temperature = temperature|float %}
      {% if target_temperature > state_attr('climate.daikin_ac', 'temperature')|float %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='temp_up') }}
      {% else %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='temp_down') }}
      {% endif %}
    swing_mode_command_template: >-
      {% set swing_mode = states('climate.daikin_ac') %}
      {% if swing_mode == 'off' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='swing_off') }}
      {% elif swing_mode == 'vertical' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='swing_vertical') }}
      {% elif swing_mode == 'horizontal' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='swing_horizontal') }}
      {% elif swing_mode == 'both' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='swing_both') }}
      {% endif %}
    fan_mode_command_template: >-
      {% set fan_mode = states('climate.daikin_ac') %}
      {% if fan_mode == 'auto' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='fan_auto') }}
      {% elif fan_mode == 'low' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='fan_low') }}
      {% elif fan_mode == 'medium' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='fan_medium') }}
      {% elif fan_mode == 'high' %}
        {{ remote.send_command(entity_id='remote.broadlink_device_name', device='Daikin AC', command='fan_high') }}
      {% endif %}

*   **Important**: Replace `remote.broadlink_device_name` with the actual entity ID of your Broadlink device. Also, replace the `command` values (e.g., `power_off`, `cool_mode`, `temp_up`) with the actual commands you learned in the previous step. Adjust the `min_temp`, `max_temp`, and `temperature_unit` to match your Daikin AC's capabilities.

2. Add a Temperature Sensor (Optional):

   • The template above includes a current_temperature_template that references a sensor.daikin_temperature. This is optional, but highly recommended for accurate temperature readings.
   • You can use any temperature sensor that you have integrated with Home Assistant (e.g., a Zigbee temperature sensor, a weather integration, etc.).
   • Replace sensor.daikin_temperature with the actual entity ID of your temperature sensor.

3. Restart Home Assistant:

   • After making changes to your configuration.yaml file, you need to restart Home Assistant for the changes to take effect.
   • Go to "Configuration" -> "Server Controls" and click "Restart".

4. Control Your Daikin AC:

   • Once Home Assistant restarts, you should see a new climate entity called "Daikin AC" in your Home Assistant interface.
   • You can now control your Daikin AC using this entity. You can set the mode (cool, heat, off, etc.), adjust the temperature, set the fan speed, and control the swing mode.

By creating this climate template, you've essentially created a virtual representation of your Daikin AC in Home Assistant. This allows you to interact with it as if it were a native smart device.

Automations and Advanced Configurations

Now that you have your Daikin AC integrated with Home Assistant, the real fun begins! You can create automations to control your AC based on various triggers, such as time of day, temperature, or occupancy. You can also explore advanced configurations to fine-tune your setup.

Creating Automations

Automations allow you to automatically control your Daikin AC based on specific conditions. Here are a few examples:

• Turn on the AC when the temperature reaches a certain level:

automation:
  - alias: Turn on AC when it's hot
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.temperature
        above: 25
    action:
      - service: climate.turn_on
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac
      - service: climate.set_temperature
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac
        temperature: 22

• Turn off the AC when you leave home:

automation:
  - alias: Turn off AC when leaving home
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: person.your_name
        to: not_home
    action:
      - service: climate.turn_off
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac

• Schedule the AC to turn on and off at specific times:

automation:
  - alias: Turn on AC in the morning
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "07:00:00"
    action:
      - service: climate.turn_on
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac
      - service: climate.set_temperature
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac
        temperature: 22
  - alias: Turn off AC at night
    trigger:
      - platform: time
        at: "23:00:00"
    action:
      - service: climate.turn_off
        entity_id: climate.daikin_ac

These are just a few examples. You can create automations based on virtually any trigger and action available in Home Assistant. Get creative and customize your automations to suit your specific needs and preferences.

Advanced Configurations

Here are some advanced configurations you might want to consider:

• Using a custom IR code database: If you're having trouble learning the IR codes from your Daikin remote, you can try using a custom IR code database. There are several online resources that provide IR codes for various devices.
• Creating scenes: Scenes allow you to save and recall specific states of your devices. You can create a scene for "Movie Night" that turns on the TV, dims the lights, and sets the AC to a comfortable temperature.
• Integrating with voice assistants: You can integrate your Home Assistant setup with voice assistants like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control your Daikin AC with voice commands.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful setup, you might encounter some issues during the integration process. Here are some common problems and their solutions:

• Broadlink device not discovered: Make sure your Broadlink device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your Home Assistant instance. Also, ensure that your firewall is not blocking communication between the two devices.
• IR commands not working: Double-check that you have learned the IR commands correctly. Make sure you are pointing the remote directly at the Broadlink device when learning the commands. Also, ensure that there are no obstructions between the Broadlink device and your Daikin AC.
• Climate entity not appearing: Double-check your configuration.yaml file for any errors. Make sure you have correctly defined the climate template and that you have restarted Home Assistant after making changes.
• Temperature sensor not updating: Ensure that your temperature sensor is properly integrated with Home Assistant and that it is reporting accurate readings.

If you're still having trouble, consult the Home Assistant documentation and the Broadlink integration documentation for more detailed troubleshooting information. You can also find helpful tips and solutions in the Home Assistant community forums.

Conclusion

Integrating your Broadlink and Daikin devices with Home Assistant can significantly enhance your smart home experience. By following this guide, you can control your Daikin air conditioner remotely, create automations, and monitor its status, all from a single platform. With a little patience and effort, you can transform your dumb AC into a smart, connected device. So, go ahead, give it a try, and enjoy the convenience and comfort of a smart home! Happy automating, folks! Integrating your Home Assistant, Broadlink, and Daikin devices opens up a world of possibilities for smart home automation. With this comprehensive guide, you're well-equipped to seamlessly integrate your Broadlink and Daikin devices into your Home Assistant setup. Enjoy the enhanced control and automation capabilities that come with this integration! Remember, the key to a successful integration is careful setup, accurate IR code learning, and a bit of patience. Happy automating!