IR fireplace how to integrate?

[HA_fanatic (Bob)]

Noob here, how do I integrate an IR remote from my fireplace to be able to control it with voice (Alexa or Google Home) or in Smartthings?

[Ryan780]

There are many, MANY posts on here about integrating fireplaces but nobody says it better than @JDRoberts:

Getting ZWave to produce a Zero Volt Momentary Switch connection

First things first: you need to check with your Township to see if it would be legal to add home automation to your gas fireplace. And it probably will not be. You should first read some of the other threads in the forum about fireplace controls. In most places in the US, it is against safety code to have any kind of remote control that can be operated out of sight, usually defined as more than about 20 feet. And once you add smartthings control, or for that matter Alexa Control, to the ignition device, you have violated that. You may know that you never intend to be at your office 20 miles away and turn on the gas fireplace, but just the fact that you can is in itself a violation. And that can then void your homeowners insurance. Search th…

Smart home, need help planning fireplace automation

In addition to the important issues that @Ryan780 brings up, in most places in the US it is illegal to add a gas fireplace Control of any kind, including a phone app, that would allow you to turn on the fireplace unit from more than about 20 feet away. So that includes any use of SmartThings. You might know you never intend to turn on the fireplace while you are 10 miles away at the office, but just the fact that you could is a violation. (Which can also void your homeowners insurance.) So the first thing you need to do is check with your local township to make sure it’s legal to add your fireplace Switch to an automated system. It may depend on the exact model. Some of the High end fireplace units count as inwall furnaces. These typically have their own thermostats and cost five to ten …

And I will add my stock response…IT’S FIRE!!! WTF ARE YOU THINKING???

In short, don’t do it…you’ll most likely void your home owner’s insurance and could be held responsible if it causes damage to anyone else’s home. Take a quick read through the forum about lights turning on unexpectedly. Would you want that to happen with your fireplace? I think not. The only thing worse is the idea of automating a garbage disposal. That still wins the cake.

[HA_fanatic (Bob)]

@Ryan780

IT’S FIRE!!! WTF ARE YOU THINKING???

Thanks for the response, is just a light show, nothing more. The only thing that kills is my electric bill.

[Bry (Bryan)]

@Ryan780

And I will add my stock response…IT’S FIRE!!! WTF ARE YOU THINKING???

@HA_fanatic

Thanks for the response, is just a light show, nothing more. The only thing that kills is my electric bill.

Good thing you don’t have a gas furnace and a programmable thermostat, lol!!!

[JDRoberts]

@HA_fanatic

Noob here, how do I integrate an IR remote from my fireplace to be able to control it with voice (Alexa or Google Home) or in Smartthings?

If it already has an IR remote and, as @Ryan780 Said, it’s not a gas fire, it’s just a light show, usually the easiest way is to integrate it with a Harmony home hub. That in itself will give you Google home or Amazon echo integration. Then there’s an official SmartThings/harmony integration which works well and give you all the other automation options.

I use this at my house for electric candles, for example.

You can check the Harmony database to see if your device is already listed there, but if it has an IR remote you could probably use it even if it isn’t in the database, it’s just more work to set it up.

Device Compatibility

There are some other methods as well, see the FAQ (this is a clickable link)

FAQ: How to Use SmartThings with an IOT Device that has an IR Remote

A How To article has been added to the community – created wiki listing several different methods for integrating an IOT device that has an IR remote with SmartThings. These vary in cost and complexity. There are options for both the US and UK hubs. The list includes Switchbot, the Remotec 310, Broadlink Pro, Global Cache, and others. http://thingsthataresmart.wiki/index.php?title=How_to_Use_SmartThings_with_a_Device_with_an_IR_Remote

[HA_fanatic (Bob)]

@JDRoberts

usually the easiest way is to integrate it with a Harmony

Thanks @JDRoberts , SmartThings community beats Logitech community. Before I asked here, I tried to teach the Harmony remote but didn’t work. Then I looked in the Logitech community and various people said it cannot be done. The posts here motivated me to try again and it worked. Now I can turn my fireplace with voice and SmartThings. Big WAF gain for such a simple task. Thanks everyone.