# Automating the Home with Keith Burzinski

- Show: [The Amp Hour](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour)
- Published: 2024-02-05
- Length: 1h 23m
- Episode: 657
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski
- Listen: https://theamphour.com/657-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski/

## Summary

Chris Gammell, a hardware and software developer at Nabu Casa, discusses ESPHome and its role in the Home Assistant ecosystem. He explains how ESPHome simplifies IoT development through YAML configuration, allowing users to create custom sensors and controllers without deep coding knowledge. Gammell shares personal projects, including a complex thermostat system designed to handle skewed readings from a nearby boiler, and a presence sensor using millimeter-wave and PIR technologies. He also highlights Nabu Casa's hardware hubs, such as the Home Assistant Green, and the company's subscription model that supports the open-source community.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski#t=0) Introduction and Local Control Philosophy
- [11:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski#t=702) ESPHome Architecture and YAML Configuration
- [19:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski#t=1146) Custom Hardware Projects: LED Controllers and Thermostats
- [33:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski#t=2002) Building a Presence Sensor: PIR and Millimeter-Wave Challenges
- [1:03:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2024-02-05-automating-the-home-with-keith-burzinski#t=3789) Nabu Casa Cloud, Hardware Hubs, and Community Support

## Topics

- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)
- [Connected products & IoT](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/connected-products-and-iot)
- [PCB design & layout](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pcb-design)
- [Maker community & events](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/maker-community)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- ESPHome (product)
- Home Assistant (product)
- Nabu Casa (company)
- ESP32 (chip)
- ESP8266 (chip)
- Raspberry Pi (product)
- Home Assistant Green (product)
- BME280 (chip)
- Zigbee (other)
- Thread (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ultimate XIAO board guide, Home Assistant Green, and Which PCB Fab House is Best?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2023-10-18-ultimate-xiao-board-guide-home-assistant-green-and-which-pcb-fab-house-is-best) (The Electromaker Show)
- [493: Put the Peeps in the Chili Pot](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-01-24-493-put-the-peeps-in-the-chili-pot) (Embedded.fm)
- [Amazing hacks, singing MCUs, Raspberry Pi AI camera, tiny robot ESP32 devboards, and more!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-electromaker-show/2024-10-03-amazing-hacks-singing-mcus-raspberry-pi-ai-camera-tiny-robot-esp32-devboards-and) (The Electromaker Show)
- [Ep 183: Stowaway Science, Cold Basements, and Warm Beers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-08-26-ep-183-stowaway-science-cold-basements-and-warm-beers) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [498: To Consume Stickers](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-04-04-498-to-consume-stickers) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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