# \[APP\]\[Pro\] Flow Utilities **URL:** \ **Category:** Apps\ **Tags:** tools, homey-pro\ **Created:** [October 12, 2021, 10:05am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027 "2021-10-12T10:05:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Kaoh](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/kaoh/32/9283_2.png) [@Kaoh](https://community.homey.app/u/Kaoh)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 9:14am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/203 "2024-05-20T09:14:36Z")
thanks allows me to control some flows better ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 9:16am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/204 "2024-05-21T09:16:11Z")
## App update: (Live: [1.7.2](https://homey.app/a/com.flow.utilities)) > - **New** Add Boolean & Number flow tag action cards > - **FIX** Flow card typos > - **CHORE** Update readme files ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/205 "2024-10-08T20:15:28Z")
## App update: (Test: [1.8.0](https://homey.app/a/com.flow.utilities/test)) > - **New** Add currency conversion flow tag action cards (Advanced flows) > - **New** Add dashboard widget for display of variable values > - **Opt** Extend number flow tag action card with optional decimals ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2024, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/206 "2024-10-08T20:21:28Z")
Since Homey now released dashboard to public beta, I have added a small widget to Flow Utilities to show the values of the current state from Flow Utils variables. You can add per variable a widget, select in the settings which value you would like to see on your dashboard and done. Tip; make use of the widget titel to show variable name or what ever you prefer. A special thanks to @martijnpoppen for helping out width the widget. ![IMG_1276](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/3/137a2e7e600a7c63a54de89449675962476e74a8.jpeg) ![IMG_1277](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/6/f6923a3f749a4bf9ec5287e8aebd033b811031a3.jpeg) This is now available as test in the latest test version of the app. ---
**Author:** ![martijnpoppen](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/martijnpoppen/32/84849_2.png) [@martijnpoppen](https://community.homey.app/u/martijnpoppen)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2024, 8:02am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/207 "2024-10-09T08:02:40Z")
Really nice work @RobbertV ! ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2024, 10:56am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/208 "2024-10-22T10:56:59Z")
Version 1.8.0 is now live. ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Spadrille](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/patrick_spadrille/32/120160_2.png) [@Patrick\_Spadrille](https://community.homey.app/u/Patrick_Spadrille)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 10:48am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/209 "2024-11-30T10:48:10Z")
Hello. I’m brand new to Homey and i tried to do some calculations. This app seems perfect for this but i have some problem understanding it. I use the card “Calculate…” but i don’t really understand what i’m supposed to do with the variable fields. If i type a text and press ENTER, the field stay empty. If i click on the search field inside the variable field of the card, i was thinking that i would have a list of my variables but nothing happens. What am i missing? ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 11:00am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/210 "2024-11-30T11:00:49Z")
Hi Patrick, Welcome to the Homey community and good to hear that you are using the Flow Utilities app. See the first tip in the 1 post of this topic this will explain on the variable what you need to configure to use it in your flows. > [@\[APP\]\[Pro\] Flow Utilities](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027): > > Flow Utilities - Get more out of data for in flows Useful links [To-Do List](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/4)[Frequently Asked Questions](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/3)[Changelog](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/2) Always wanted to know how long your device is running or how much energy it used? With this app you can compare these (or basically any kind of number) data in Homey. Current features: Start/Stop duration (Calculate time in between) Start/Stop comparison with value - (Calculate difference of numbers) Convert number to currency Calculation with 2 numbers ([+] [-] [/] [\*]) C… ---
**Author:** ![Patrick\_Spadrille](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/patrick_spadrille/32/120160_2.png) [@Patrick\_Spadrille](https://community.homey.app/u/Patrick_Spadrille)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2024, 12:40pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/211 "2024-11-30T12:40:11Z")
OK, i see. Thank you for the quick reply. I will make some tests with this app. Have a great day 😃 ---
**Author:** ![SunBeech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/sunbeech/32/111391_2.png) [@SunBeech](https://community.homey.app/u/SunBeech)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/212 "2025-01-05T14:41:57Z")
Hello @RobbertV, I like using your app for reporting on energy usage. I have a question though regarding the ‘difference calculation’ that Flow Utitities performs. In my case I am comparing energy usage (kWh). The reported difference is always in max. two digits, while the source value is in three digits. How can I let Flow Utilities calculate/display the difference in three digits? ![Flow Utilities Compare](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/9/5/95f0b7046cd4b72405452adde766ceb6f7c4f8da.png) ![Flow Utilities Compare 2 Digits](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/2/d2c4ed35df7a32397d3bee207b822795b75784af.png) ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2025, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/213 "2025-01-05T20:46:26Z")
Hi @SunBeech, thanks for using Flow Utilities and good to hear you like it. For the outcome of the comparison outcome we deliberately set it to 2 decimals. Since this is for most use cases the standard in writing notation. By removing this limit it will bring unwanted behavior with other users already using this currently. Maybe make it optional setting could help, but also gives possible confusions. So for now this is not supported. I will have a think on how to adjust. ---
**Author:** ![Jelmer\_Knuivers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jelmer_knuivers/32/136751_2.png) [@Jelmer\_Knuivers](https://community.homey.app/u/Jelmer_Knuivers)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 11:08am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/214 "2025-01-19T11:08:00Z")
Hi, question, what do you guys use to trigger the flows for the washing machine and dryer? In other words, how do you define the duration of one cycle? I have been trying to define a trigger based on power usage (above or below a certain amount of Watts), but that doesn’t seem to work properly. ---
**Author:** ![SunBeech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/sunbeech/32/111391_2.png) [@SunBeech](https://community.homey.app/u/SunBeech)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 11:27am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/215 "2025-01-19T11:27:23Z")
I use power consumption. If the consumption gets above a threshold for a certain amount of time, I consider that the start of a cycle. And when it gets below a threshold for a certain amount of time I consider that the end of a cycle. It took me a lot of observing/monitoring washing/drying cycles to get it right. For my washing machine these are the start/stop triggers. The value checked is the consumption in W. I use the [Device Capabilities](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/nl.qluster-it.DeviceCapabilities/Device-Capabilities/) app to test for the condition over time: ![Washingmachine Start](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/2/4/24a600af2cf0d48e9eb791b39ca68617bc788285.png) ![Washingmachine Stop](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/a/9/a949598e8cd25d473414894f4bdc70699bf9b607.png) ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 11:48am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/216 "2025-01-19T11:48:50Z")
Setting a minimum and maximum wattage is also what I use. I did some testing with different washing programs in the beginning to determine the minimum (default power usage when on, but no program running) and the maximum (wattage used on start of program). Since my washer also has some idle time I added the app [CountDown | Homey](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/nl.bevlogenheid.countdown/CountDown/) to see if it’s really idling or ready. This is also something you need to tweak first few sessions. ### Washer See here my flow (sorry it’s in 🇳🇱): ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/f/a/fa251f3c34c195eacd56fc3fd109917c5672d5f3.jpeg) ### Dryer My dryer is bit easier: ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/1/d/1db248b8b5920d40b6420aa791583757d803d371.png) ---
**Author:** ![Mike1233](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/mike1233/32/20991_2.png) [@Mike1233](https://community.homey.app/u/Mike1233)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2025, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/217 "2025-01-19T17:46:16Z")
@Jelmer_Knuivers There is an old topic that has worked for me. [https://community.homey.app/t/get-a-notification-when-the-washingmachine-is-ready/9372](https://community.homey.app/t/get-a-notification-when-the-washingmachine-is-ready/9372) ---
**Author:** ![Jelmer\_Knuivers](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jelmer_knuivers/32/136751_2.png) [@Jelmer\_Knuivers](https://community.homey.app/u/Jelmer_Knuivers)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 10:04am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/218 "2025-01-29T10:04:38Z")
Thank you all for replying! Really helpful. I ended up using the [Device Capabilities](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/nl.qluster-it.DeviceCapabilities/Device-Capabilities/) app as SunBeech suggested. It took me a while to determine the appropriate thresholds for my devices, because they all have periods within a cycle in which they have very limited power usage. So, for those seeking a reference for those thresholds, I now have the same thresholds to start and end a cycle of: 1.5 W for my washing machine, 2 W for my dryer and also 2 W for my dishwasher. This already gives correct results most of the time, although I might still build in a mechanism to check if a cycle has ended before resetting the beginning of a cycle. Lastly, I saw everyone using notifications, which is great, but because I would like to make sense of why a cycle uses more energy than the other, I also append the results to [Google Sheets](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/com.google.sheets/Google-Sheets/). Works great! ---
**Author:** ![SunBeech](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/sunbeech/32/111391_2.png) [@SunBeech](https://community.homey.app/u/SunBeech)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2025, 12:04pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/219 "2025-01-29T12:04:22Z")
As an alternative for recording session results, or - more general - any flow action/result, you may want to consider a logging app, like the [Simple (Sys) Log](https://homey.app/nl-nl/app/nl.nielsdeklerk.log/Simple-(Sys)-Log/) app. I use that in almost every flow to record events and results during the execution of flows. E.g. for the results of a washing machine cycle (in addition to a time line notification): ![IMG_1667](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/7/3/73aab9c2c1e70a99aff89312e7ca13280912d705.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2025, 12:06pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/220 "2025-05-20T12:06:55Z")
## 🚨 App update: (Test: [2.0.0](https://homey.app/a/com.flow.utilities/test)) > - **BREAK** Remove zone action & trigger cards **Important;** From version 2.0.0 the support of the Zone action and trigger cards will be removed from the app and no longer available. This functionality was longer unavailable to add to new flows, but was still functional on existing flows. With this update that support will drop and could break flows. Plan for release is 1st of July 2025 (+/- 1,5 month). ---
**Author:** ![DvdW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dvdw/32/118116_2.png) [@DvdW](https://community.homey.app/u/DvdW)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/221 "2025-09-25T12:55:11Z")
I cannot ad an variabele to this specific function. Is this a bug or something? ![image](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/d/e/de0ef9705279a46ee320a476a327e29b700b09e1.png) Thanks in advance! ---
**Author:** ![RobbertV](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robbertv/32/37250_2.png) [@RobbertV](https://community.homey.app/u/RobbertV)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2025, 2:01pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027/222 "2025-09-25T14:01:16Z")
Did you create the variable first in the app configuration? [Previous page](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027.md?page=10) [Next page](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-flow-utilities/53027.md?page=12)