EPH Ember

Páid

Alexa integration is now working using the Ember Programmer skill.

LizardKing

Páid wrote: »

Alexa integration is now working using the Ember Programmer skill.

Set this up last night ... its pretty basic ... on / off / set temps.. have not figured out a boost option or command.


I tried create a routine but not sure it will work.


when you say heating off the heating is set to off (and not auto)
when you say heating on it is set to on (all the time)



you need to say heating auto to set back to auto.


For a routine there is no option to set to auto, just on and off.


Hopefully they add a boost option to the command set as otherwise its more hassle (unless I am missing something)


Thanks

Páid

I've only tested on and off so far. I haven't created a routine.

What I would like to do is say "Alexa turn on Zone A for 30 minutes" but it turns Zone A on and it stays on.

Still, it's progress.

Skippy along

Can't find the Ember programme skill anybody point me in the right direction please

mneylon

I hope they fix some of the issues the app has been having the last few days possibly due to IoS 14.
I also wish they'd give us the ability, either via the app or via Alexa (I really don't care how) to set temperatures for different times of the day.

LizardKing

In alexa app go to skills and games and search "ember programmer" it should be first result.

I think there is another app for people using the newer controllers. (Ember Thermostats)

LizardKing

mneylon wrote: »

I hope they fix some of the issues the app has been having the last few days possibly due to IoS 14.
I also wish they'd give us the ability, either via the app or via Alexa (I really don't care how) to set temperatures for different times of the day.

since connecting the app to alexa I'm noticing more issues with the app. keeps giving error RF connection error and have to go out and back in a few times to get into it.


Hopefully they fix these niggles

matrim

LizardKing wrote: »

since connecting the app to alexa I'm noticing more issues with the app. keeps giving error RF connection error and have to go out and back in a few times to get into it.


Hopefully they fix these niggles

I've noticed that a few times recently and haven't hooked up with alexa.

LizardKing

matrim wrote: »

I've noticed that a few times recently and haven't hooked up with alexa.

May not be related to Alexa integration so .. just seemed to notice since I setup - thanks

Skippy along

LizardKing wrote: »

In alexa app go to skills and games and search "ember programmer" it should be first result.

I think there is another app for people using the newer controllers. (Ember Thermostats)

Great! Found it thank you

mneylon

LizardKing wrote: »

since connecting the app to alexa I'm noticing more issues with the app. keeps giving error RF connection error and have to go out and back in a few times to get into it.


Hopefully they fix these niggles

It's been doing that to me for the last few days and I don't have the Alexa skill setup (or if I do I'm not using it!)
With the change in weather it's not the time for the damn thing to start causing issues!

AnneRyan

I'm having lots of RF connection errors today. Have reset it 3 times and it's dropped again. Not sure if it's the ember app or that I've got Vodafone Siro WiFi installed about a month ago. Wasn't using heating until the last few days of course.
Dual 2.4ghz and 5ghz. Is it the app or the wifi
Gonna smash it......
Any advice ?

Páid

AnneRyan wrote: »

I'm having lots of RF connection errors today. Have reset it 3 times and it's dropped again. Not sure if it's the ember app or that I've got Vodafone Siro WiFi installed about a month ago. Wasn't using heating until the last few days of course.
Dual 2.4ghz and 5ghz. Is it the app or the wifi
Gonna smash it......
Any advice ?

Can you position the WiFi module so it's closer to the router? Or halfway between the router and the heating controls?

Bluefoam

I have a two zone plus water EPH system in my house. There is a main control with blue digital display and two temperature controllers, one downstairs and one upstairs...

How do I change these out for nest controllers? Do I just replace the two temp gauges or does the main controller go as well?

I get hot water via solar and also have a combi boiler.

mneylon

Bluefoam wrote: »

I have a two zone plus water EPH system in my house. There is a main control with blue digital display and two temperature controllers, one downstairs and one upstairs...

How do I change these out for nest controllers? Do I just replace the two temp gauges or does the main controller go as well?

I get hot water via solar and also have a combi boiler.

I'd be interested in knowing this as well. I'd *love* to swap out the Ember for something else that I could actually integrate with the rest of the house

AnneRyan

Update, positioned the gateway (box with green light) in line if sight and now back working again. Why did they not say that instead of just NEAR the programmer. Although it was working fine last winter in the other position which suited better.

All fine, FOR NOW !

rmacken

Hi All, probably best sending a support ticket through to EPH, but just wondering if anyone’s Alexa control is experiencing issues - it discovers and finds the thermostat but just keeps going around in a circle saying “waiting for ember”, app works on phone.

Páid

rmacken wrote: »

Hi All, probably best sending a support ticket through to EPH, but just wondering if anyone’s Alexa control is experiencing issues - it discovers and finds the thermostat but just keeps going around in a circle saying “waiting for ember”, app works on phone.

Try disabling the skill and re-enabling it in Alexa app.

rmacken

Páid wrote: »

Try disabling the skill and re-enabling it in Alexa app.

Thanks but no joy unfortunately - I have sent a support ticket, will update here just in case it may help someone else. Thanks again.

Páid

Anyone have EPH Ember working in Home Assistant?

matrim

Páid wrote: »

Anyone have EPH Ember working in Home Assistant?

I wrote the integration and use it to change the temperature at different times of the day.

Páid

I installed Home Assistant core on a RaspBerry Pi 3+ but EPH Ember doesn't appear in the list of integrations and there doesn't appear to be a configuration.yaml file either.

matrim

It's been a while since I set it up but I don't think it appears in the UI configuration. You will probably have to manually add the configuration to your yaml

https://www.home-assistant.io/integrations/ephember/

Páid

I read that link. I cannot find configuration.yaml on the pi.

These are the instructions I followed - https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/installation/raspberry-pi/

matrim

Páid wrote: »

I read that link. I cannot find configuration.yaml on the pi.

These are the instructions I followed - https://www.home-assistant.io/docs/installation/raspberry-pi/

There has been a move away from manually updating YAML in HA over the last 6 months or so. I'm a few versions behind so not sure where you can manually edit it from in the new version.

Based on the link you provided I'd expect to see it in

/home/homeassistant/.homeassistant

NabyLadistheman

I’m currently using this system on a 4 zone. I’ve found it great since I had it installed last year. I currently don’t have any thermostats installed. Would ye recommend getting these installed on the water tank and in each zone?

THE ALM

Páid wrote: »

I installed Home Assistant core on a RaspBerry Pi 3+ but EPH Ember doesn't appear in the list of integrations and there doesn't appear to be a configuration.yaml file either.

Install the 'file editor' addon under supervisor. When you install and launch this you can open the file editor window where you can browse the file system and you will find the configuration.yaml listed.

Páid

Got it working, thanks for your help.

Rock Paper Scissors

Guys is it a big /expensive job to get extra zones added to this system?


I currently only have 2 zones, hot water and radiators, but would like an additional zone added.

Alfasudcrazy

I just got the gateway unit today in the post and after some initial difficulties managed to get it paired and set up correctly and initially the app was showing my water and central heating temperatures (my two zones) but now both readings are just blank. I repaired the unit with the gateway and the app and powered off and on etc but still showing no readings. ??

The temperature units themselves on the wall are showing the temperatures. ??

TeaServer

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I just got the gateway unit today in the post and after some initial difficulties managed to get it paired and set up correctly and initially the app was showing my water and central heating temperatures (my two zones) but now both readings are just blank. I repaired the unit with the gateway and the app and powered off and on etc but still showing no readings. ??

The temperature units themselves on the wall are showing the temperatures. ??

Is the controller attached to the boiler showing the temperature for each of the thermostats? I had an issue after pairing the gateway that the thermostats had to be repaired to the controller too. Try that.

/T

Samuel T. Cogley

Rock Paper Scissors wrote: »

Guys is it a big /expensive job to get extra zones added to this system?


I currently only have 2 zones, hot water and radiators, but would like an additional zone added.

You probably got your answer already but it's new pipework, valves, possibly new controls. It's not massive money but it's a disruptive job.

spaceHopper

Alfasudcrazy wrote: »

I just got the gateway unit today in the post and after some initial difficulties managed to get it paired and set up correctly and initially the app was showing my water and central heating temperatures (my two zones) but now both readings are just blank. I repaired the unit with the gateway and the app and powered off and on etc but still showing no readings. ??

The temperature units themselves on the wall are showing the temperatures. ??

I find they are very sensitive to the quality of battery you use. Cheap batteries will work for a while but then the RF link to the boiler goes down. Replace them with Duracell and it's back working.

Make sure you can see the temperature of the zones on the boiler controller and try boost on the controller. If both of them aren't working change the batteries and see if they are paired properly.

Samuel T. Cogley

Mine has stopped working with Alexa, I deleted it all, reinstalled the skill, reset the hub and no dice - can't find the devices. Any advice (other than get something that works :pac: )?

Skippy along

Samuel T. Cogley wrote: »

Mine has stopped working with Alexa, I deleted it all, reinstalled the skill, reset the hub and no dice - can't find the devices. Any advice (other than get something that works :pac: )?

Same story here.. You'd think they'd be able to get it right.. Got a Air Fryer last week that works with Alexa & Google... So can't be that hard

Samuel T. Cogley

Looks like some sort of 'update' then. Thanks Skippy.

newbie2

Just to give my tuppence to this thread.

I got the EPH gateway over xmas because I had the EPH system already installed in the house. There was an update on January 4th for the Ember app. I have it working with Alexa, but cant figure out how to get the 'boost 'function working with Alexa? For the most part, it works fine for me so far.

Skippy along

newbie2 wrote: »

Just to give my tuppence to this thread.

I got the EPH gateway over xmas because I had the EPH system already installed in the house. There was an update on January 4th for the Ember app. I have it working with Alexa, but cant figure out how to get the 'boost 'function working with Alexa? For the most part, it works fine for me so far.

As far I'm aware of Alexa will only turn on and off the different zones you have set up. Pretty poor really.

Samuel T. Cogley

It was setting the temp but that was before Ember broke it last year, must try setting it up again.

mneylon

newbie2 wrote: »

Just to give my tuppence to this thread.

I got the EPH gateway over xmas because I had the EPH system already installed in the house. There was an update on January 4th for the Ember app. I have it working with Alexa, but cant figure out how to get the 'boost 'function working with Alexa? For the most part, it works fine for me so far.

Dumb question, but what's the skill called? I see two and neither come with much in the way of explanation of features

Skippy along

mneylon wrote: »

Dumb question, but what's the skill called? I see two and neither come with much in the way of explanation of features

I installed both basic on/off functions for each zone

newbie2

mneylon wrote: »

Dumb question, but what's the skill called? I see two and neither come with much in the way of explanation of features

Ember programmer is the one I think I used. Also Have the thermostats one but im Not sure that's what I want.

Skippy along

Got email from them last week mentioned a "MAJOR UPDATE" to the app so i updated and haven't noticed any improvements nothing nada zilch!!!

rameire

Since the update I have had a huge amount of Network errors. Update errors when changing temps. Sign in errors.
On Android.

newbie2

Had my first problem with the 'cloud service' today. 12 days in. Mmmmmm. Luckily the lockdown means I don't need to use it from outside the house. So it doesn't bother me too much. Yet

NabyLadistheman

Anybody else find the app temperamental lately? When trying to change the times on Auto it just spins and does not update

Páid

It keeps resetting the temperature for one of my zones. I'm thinking I'm going to have to reinstall from scratch in order to fix it.

Skippy along

Having issues now for a while setting boost on the app it's hit and miss have to be check at the gas boiler to get see if it's its on

seanvox

I've noticed that "EMBER Thermostats" is now showing up in the "Works with Google" section of the Google Home app. I've tried to add them to my Home but no joy. Has anyone been able to get this working?

nathan184

sean I've just set up my Ember app in our new home and ran into this problem. Google home says something like no Ember devices detected after I enter my credentials for Ember.

If they add google home I could actually schedule different temperatures for different times of day like any other "smart" heating system.