Adding a Zigbee Infrared Blaster to Home Assistant using nothing but ZHA
In this tutorial, I’ll guide you through adding your Moes/Tuya Zigbee IR blaster to Home Assistant using only the built-in ZHA component — no need for Zigbee2MQTT or extra add-ons. While the process can be a bit tricky, it’s definitely worth it. This is the first detailed video (as far as I know) that covers everything from initial setup to creating an automation that pre-configures an amplifier before you even walk through the door!
Why this device, and why now?
Why now? It’s simple — I’m not chasing trends or the latest gadgets. My journey with Home Assistant has been about continuously enhancing my smart home setup. Recently, I faced a challenge: how to be more eco-friendly and cut down on unnecessary energy consumption. That’s when I added a Zigbee smart power outlet. Now, every time I leave home and my phone exits a set range, the outlet automatically switches off, ensuring that my PC, TV, and amplifier don’t waste even a single watt of power.
But there was a catch — my amplifier kept forgetting my settings, always reverting to default. Adjusting the volume, bass, and treble every time became a hassle. That’s what led me to explore the world of IR blasters. Prioritizing privacy, I refused to use anything WiFi-based or reliant on mobile apps, which…
