Getting Started with Hue Motion Sensor Temperature Triggers

Did you want to know if Philips Hue motion sensor temperature can read inside the room? Yes it can! Philips Hue motion sensor has a built-in temperature sensor that can be used to display the temperature in a room.

I first discovered this capability when installing a Hue motion sensor in my baby’s room. As a new parent I was worried about the room getting too hot or cold while my baby girl slept.

To my surprise, the Hue app showed the current temperature from the motion sensor! This little feature has brought me so much peace of mind for monitoring my baby’s comfort.

In this post, I’ll explain in detail how to setup your Hue motion sensors for temperature reading and automation. You’ll learn how it works, accuracy tips, automation ideas, and alternatives.

I promise this guide will give you everything you need to know to leverage this handy but hidden Hue feature.

Let’s dive in.

How Hue Motion Sensor Temperature Measures

The Philips Hue lighting system has become one of the most popular smart home platforms. The wireless LED bulbs and accessories enable sophisticated lighting control and automation.

A key component of the Hue ecosystem is the Hue Motion Sensor. This handy accessory detects motion and temperature within a room.

The Hue Motion Sensor is a small, battery-powered device that can be mounted on a wall or ceiling. It uses passive infrared (PIR) technology to detect movement within its field of view.

This allows it to turn Hue lights on when you enter a room and off when you leave. Convenient for automation!

But the Hue Motion Sensor has an extra trick up its sleeve – it also contains a thermometer for measuring ambient temperature.

This allows the sensor to report the current temperature of the room it is installed in.

The temperature reading capability was added in a firmware update. Existing Hue Motion Sensors simply needed the update to activate temperature monitoring.

Newer models have it built-in from the factory.

Inside the device, there is a small thermometer chip that samples the air temperature. It reports readings back to the Hue bridge via Zigbee wireless communication.

Temperature data is sent along with motion detection back to the bridge.

This ambient temperature measurement can be put to good use!

Here are some of the benefits and use cases:

• Monitor baby nursery or bedroom temperature – ensure it doesn’t get too hot or cold
• Track temperature in reptile tanks or wine cellars – get alerts if it goes out of range
• Know when to run your A/C, heat, or fans more efficiently
• Create temperature-based automation for smart thermostats
• Integrate with IFTTT for temperature notifications and logging
• Combine temperature and motion data for smarter home automation

The temperature readings from the Hue Motion Sensor certainly aren’t professional grade. The accuracy is decent but has some variability.

Expect it to be within 1-2°F of a standalone thermometer.

However, for many home automation uses the convenience of having the temperature integrated with the Hue platform outweighs the need for scientific precision.

It turns the humble Hue Motion Sensor into even more of a Swiss Army knife for the smart home!

How the Hue Motion Sensor Measures Temperature

The ability to monitor ambient temperature is made possible by the hardware design of the Hue Motion Sensor. Let’s take a look under the hood at how it works.

The main components inside the sensor are the passive infrared (PIR) motion detector, light level sensor, and a thermistor temperature sensor.

The PIR detects motion based on infrared energy emitted by people or pets moving within its field of view. The light level sensor does what it sounds like – measures ambient light.

The key ingredient for temperature sensing is the thermistor. A thermistor is a type of resistor that changes resistance based on surrounding temperature.

As the temperature increases, the resistance decreases. By measuring these resistance changes, the ambient temperature can be derived.

The thermistor sensor takes periodic temperature samples. It reports the readings back to the Hue bridge over the Zigbee connection, along with motion and light level data.

By default, a temperature reading is taken once every 90 seconds. Keep in mind the sensor is battery powered, so frequent measurements would quickly drain the 2xAA batteries.

The temperature measurement range is reported to be -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C). Accuracy is tricky to pinpoint exactly. Testing shows temperature accuracy within 1-2°F (1°C) under normal conditions.

Rapid temperature fluctuations can throw off the readings, as the thermistor has some lag in response time. Placement is also important – direct sun or being near a heat source reduces accuracy.

Comparing old and new generations of the Hue Motion Sensor, the temperature accuracy is largely unchanged.

Both utilize the same basic thermistor hardware. Newer models have benefits like a wider field of motion detection, but no enhancements to temperature sensing.

Overall, the integrated temperature monitoring in the Hue Motion Sensor is a handy extra capability.

It provides a rough estimate of ambient temperature sufficient for basic home automation use cases.

However, there are some limitations to be aware of:

• Accuracy within 1-2°F – not precise enough for critical applications
• Laggy response to rapid temp changes – slow sample rate
• Placement affects accuracy – keep away from heat sources
• Battery operated – sampling and wireless impact power
• Limited configuration options – sampling interval not adjustable

While the temperature reading is not going to replace a dedicated thermometer, it’s a convenient addition for Hue owners.

Just be aware of the limitations and calibrate accordingly for your specific use case. We’ll dig more into maximizing accuracy next.

Setting Up the Hue Motion Sensor

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how the Hue Motion Sensor measures temperature, let’s walk through getting it set up and configured.

The initial installation process is quick and straightforward. It pairs with the Hue bridge just like the lighting bulbs.

Simply screw in the provided mounting plate, insert the batteries, and press the button to start pairing mode. In the Philips Hue app, go to Add Accessory and it will find the new motion sensor and connect it.

With the sensor paired to the Hue ecosystem, temperature readings will automatically be enabled. You don’t have to do anything special to activate it.

However, proper placement is key to optimizing the temperature accuracy and reliability. Here are some tips:

• Mount around 5 ft off the ground on a wall or ceiling
• Avoid placing near heat sources like lamps, appliances
• Keep out of direct sunlight which can skew readings
• Central in the room works best for ambient temperature

Experiment with different locations to verify the temperature reading aligns with a known thermometer. Tweak the mounting height and direction to fine tune it.

For software setup, the Hue app itself provides basic temperature monitoring. You can view live readings and history.

Integrating with HomeKit is easy for iOS users too. Just add the Hue bridge and accessories in the Home app. You can then access temperature for automation.

Third party apps expand the options as well. Popular ones like Eve for HomeKit, iConnectHue, IconnectHue Pro, and All 4 Hue allow deeper data access.

These apps can show temperature charts, set thresholds for alerts, create widgets, etc. Some even allow exporting data to services like Excel, Dropbox, and more.

Finally, under Motion Settings you can disable temperature monitoring if desired. Just toggle off the “Read temperature” option. This may help conserve battery life in certain use cases.

With the hardware mounted properly and paired to your software ecosystem of choice, you’re all set! The Hue Motion Sensor will now provide both motion and temperature data for home automation.

Reading the Temperature Data

Once set up, the temperature reading from the Hue Motion Sensor is available in a few ways. Let’s go through the options for accessing the temperature data.

The basic way is directly in the Philips Hue app. Tap on the motion sensor in the list of accessories and you’ll see the current live temperature displayed.

The Hue app also records historical temperature data that can be accessed under the Insights tab. Here you can view daily, weekly, or monthly charts of the highs and lows.

This historical data is useful for identifying patterns or anomalies. You can see how the temperature typically fluctuates throughout the day and across seasons.

The native Hue app provides limited options for configuring alerts or exporting data. This is where third party apps come in handy.

Apps like Eve, iConnectHue, All 4 Hue, Hue Essentials and others open up more advanced monitoring and automation.

These apps allow setting specific temperature thresholds to trigger notifications if exceeded. You can also create temperature charts and widgets for convenient access.

Data export is another key feature offered by several apps. This allows logging temperature history to external services.

For example, the iConnectHue app can export to Dropbox, Excel, JSON endpoints, and more. This enables long term storage and analysis in other tools.

Direct API access is another option for tech savvy users. The Hue system has a REST API that allows pulling sensor data including temperature.

Libraries like phue for Python make working with the API easier. Developers can build custom integrations pulling temperature into their own apps and visualizations.

Home automation hubs like Home Assistant also integrate with the Hue API. These can record granular temperature history in their database for automation rules.

In summary, here are some of the options for accessing temperature data from the Hue Motion Sensor:

• Live and historical temperature in official Hue app
• Real-time monitoring and alerts via third party apps
• Data export to Dropbox, Excel, JSON for external analysis
• Direct Hue REST API integration for developers
• Home automation hubs like Home Assistant

The possibilities are expansive! Hue temperature data can be leveraged in many ways beyond the basic app.

Using Temperature Triggers for Automation

Now that the Hue Motion Sensor can provide temperature data, what can you actually do with it? Quite a lot it turns out!

The temperature reading opens up new possibilities for home automation triggers and rules. Here are some ways to put the data to use.

The basics can be configured right in the Hue app. Under Automation you can create rules based on exceeding temperature thresholds. For example, turn on a fan if the room gets above 78°F.

HomeKit users can also leverage temperature automations using the Home app. Create scenes or triggers based on Hue sensor readings.

But for more advanced capabilities, home automation platforms like Home Assistant are fantastic. Home Assistant can track temperature history, graph trends, and create complex triggers.

Configure notifications if the temperature drops below a minimum at night. Or trigger heating and cooling based on timeseries analysis to optimize energy efficiency.

Home Assistant also makes it easy to write scripts and automations in Python code for limitless customization.

Another simple option is IFTTT. Connect your Hue system to IFTTT and create Applets with temperature data as the trigger.

Send an SMS alert if the freezer temperature rises over a threshold. Or log each temperature reading to a Google Sheet for tracking. IFTTT is great for basic but powerful automations.

Here are some common use cases and ideas for temperature based automation:

• Turn on a fan or AC when a room gets too hot
• Close the blinds if temperature exceeds a maximum
• Turn on bathroom heaters when it drops below comfortable
• Regulate temperature in reptile tanks or wine cellars
• Log nursery temperature patterns for baby sleep analysis
• Alert if freezer or fridge temperature creeps up
• Optimize HVAC by tracking temperature trends over time

The possibilities are endless with a bit of creativity! The Hue Motion Sensor temperature reading opens up a whole new data dimension for home automation and control.

Whether you want simple rules or advanced algorithms, the tools are there to leverage temperature. Next we’ll dive into maximizing accuracy for reliable readings.

Calibrating and Adjusting the Readings

While the temperature reading from the Hue Motion Sensor is convenient, it does have variability in accuracy. To rely on it for automation rules, some calibration is advised.

There are a few key factors that can impact the accuracy of the temperature measurement:

• Mounting location – direct sun or near heat sources reduces precision
• Response lag – rapid temp changes aren’t measured in real time
• Unit differences – certain firmware versions had F vs C mixups
• Battery condition – low batteries may impact readings
• Wireless connectivity – loss of signal prevents updates

To improve accuracy, start by comparing the reading against a known reliable thermometer placed nearby. Make note of any consistent offset.

For example, you may find the Hue reads 2°F higher than the thermometer under normal conditions. This gives you a baseline offset for calibration.

Some Hue apps like Eve for HomeKit have a calibration setting that allows manually adjusting the reported temperature up or down to fix offsets.

Unfortunately, the native Hue app does not provide a calibration or offset adjustment. You have to rely on placement and third party apps.

Try rotating the sensor or moving it closer to eye level if the offset is substantial. Small variations of 1-2°F are expected. Anything more indicates an issue.

Continuing to monitor the readings against a separate thermometer helps validate stability. Periodically check for consistency, especially if relying on automation rules.

If the temperature becomes erratic or unresponsive, low batteries could be the issue. Try replacing batteries first before further troubleshooting.

You may also need to relocate the sensor away from any heat sources that could be causing artificial spikes. Eliminate sources of interference for reliable readings.

With good placement and periodic calibration checks, the Hue Motion Sensor can provide temperature data that is accurate enough for most home automation purposes.

Hue Motion vs Dedicated Temperature Sensors

The temperature reading capability of the Philips Hue Motion Sensor provides convenience and integration with Hue lights.

But how does it stack up against standalone temperature and thermostat sensors?

The Hue Motion Sensor certainly wins on simplicity and cost. For existing Hue users, gaining temperature data is just a firmware update away. No new hardware or apps required.

But dedicated temperature sensors do offer advantages in accuracy, reliability, and features. Let’s compare some key points:

• Accuracy – Dedicated sensors are often ±0.5°F or better, compared to ±2°F for Hue approximately. Lab grade ones can be even more precise.
• Responsiveness – Hue only samples every 2 minutes. Faster reacting sensors can catch rapid temp changes.
• Range – Many sensors support a broader range like -40°F to 185°F. Hue is limited to around -5°F to 140°F.
• Placement – External probes or wire sensors allow better positioning away from the main unit. Hue is limited by the mount location.
• Power – No batteries to replace like the Hue sensor requires. Can take continuous readings.
• Connectivity – Wifi, radio, and serial options. Hue relies on Zigbee through the Hue bridge only.
• Ecosystem – Integrates with all major platforms. Hue locks you into their ecosystem.
• Features – External options offer detailed charts, custom alerts, data logging, etc.

For basic ambient temperature monitoring, the Hue gets the job done. But if you need accuracy, reliability, and flexibility, dedicated sensors are a better choice.

Here are some popular standalone sensor options:

• SmartThings Temperature Sensor – Integrates with SmartThings ecosystem
• Eve Room – Bluetooth sensor with HomeKit support
• Ecobee SmartSensor – For use with Ecobee thermostats
• Monnit Temperature Probes – Industrial grade with logging
• ZyAura – Wifi sensor with cloud dashboard

Evaluate your specific requirements. For casual use, the Hue Motion Sensor adds handy ambient temperature at a low cost.

But critically applications may require a commercial grade, dedicated sensor.

FAQS Hue Motion Sensor Temperature

Does Philips Hue Motion Sensor Detect Temperature?

Yes, the Hue motion sensor contains a built-in thermometer that can detect ambient temperature in addition to motion and light level.

This allows using the sensor for temperature-based automation rules and triggers. The temperature reading must be enabled in the sensor settings.

How Often Does Hue Motion Sensor Update Temperature?

The Hue motion sensor samples temperature every 90 seconds. It will report the new reading to the bridge after each sample. This interval is not configurable but provides frequent enough ambient temperature updates for most home automation uses.

What Is The Temperature Range Of The Hue Outdoor Sensor?

Philips specifies the operating range of the Hue Outdoor sensor as -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C). In practical use, the lower limit is typically around -5°F when batteries are fresh. Exceeding the upper 140°F limit can start yielding erratic readings.

What Can Hue Motion Sensor Do?

The main functions of the Hue motion sensor are motion activation, ambient light level sensing, and temperature reading.

It can automatically turn on Hue lights when motion is detected in a room. Light level monitoring enables dusk/dawn automation. Temperature supports rules based on exceeding set thresholds.

Do Motion Sensors Work In The Cold?

Yes, the passive infrared (PIR) sensor in the Hue motion detector will work in cold temperatures. However, very cold climates (below -4°F) can impact battery performance and lifespan.

The sensor may stop working entirely below -20°F. Cold weather operation is improved in the newer, sealed Outdoor Hue sensor models.

How Often Do You Need To Calibrate A Temperature Sensor?

For most home uses, calibrating annually is recommended. Comparing the Hue motion temperature against a known accurate thermometer can identify any offset that needs adjusting in software.

More critical applications may require calibration every 6 months. Recalibrate anytime the temperature reading seems inaccurate or erratic.

Does Temperature Affect Motion Sensors?

Temperature extremes can impact motion sensors. Low temperatures can reduce battery performance.

High heat can potentially damage electronics over time in some sensors. The Philips Hue motion sensor compensates for temperature drift internally for its PIR element. Keeping within the specified range avoids issues.

What Is The Maximum Temperature For Philips Hue?

The maximum ambient temperature rating for Philips Hue bulbs is generally 104°F (40°C). Exceeding this can shorten lifespan or cause issues.

However, industrial-rated Hue bulbs for workshop lighting are built for 122°F (50°C) operation. The motion sensor thermistor can detect up to 140°F but extended high heat reduces accuracy.

Which Temperature Sensor Is More Accurate?

Dedicated digital temperature probes with external sensors are generally more accurate than the integrated thermistor in the Hue motion sensor.

Accuracy within 0.5°F is common for high-end probes. The Hue is approximately ±2°F accurate when calibrated properly. Accuracy can vary based on model, calibration, and environment.

What Is The Coldest Temperature In Hue?

The lowest temperature the current Philips Hue motion sensors can reliably operate and detect is around -4°F (-20°C).

In practice, the lower limit is around -5°F when batteries are fresh and fully charged. Temperatures below this threshold can cause erratic behavior or non-functionality. The sensor is not rated for extreme cold.

What Is The Difference Between Hue Outdoor And Indoor Motion Sensor?

The Hue Outdoor sensor is IP55 water resistant allowing installation outside under eaves. It operates from -4°F to 140°F.

The temperature range of the indoor sensor is smaller at 32°F to 100°F. Outdoor also has longer battery life and improved motion detection range. Both measure temperature, motion, and light.

Why Are Hue Outdoor Lights So Expensive?

Hue outdoor lights cost more due to their weather-resistant construction. They feature IP65/IP67 waterproof housings built to withstand rain, snow, heat, and sun.

The outdoor fixtures contain additional circuitry to maintain operation in temperature extremes not seen by indoor lights. Longer warranties and improved lifespans also add cost.

Conclusion

The Philips Hue Motion Sensor’s integrated temperature monitoring provides a convenient way to leverage temperature data alongside your smart lighting automation.

With proper placement and calibration, the readings can be accurate enough for many home automation use cases. Just remember the limitations and adjust your expectations accordingly.

For casual ambient temperature info, the Hue motion sensor gets the job done on a budget. Take your Hue system to the next level by enabling temperature-based triggers and rules!

Get an existing article on how to fix your Philips Hue motion sensor when it is not working.