# Use VThermo to control smart plug

**URL:** <https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442>\
**Category:** Questions & Help\
**Created:** [October 21, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442 "2023-10-21T14:57:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bjornand](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/bjornand/32/7982_2.png) [@bjornand](https://community.homey.app/u/bjornand)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 2:57pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/1 "2023-10-21T14:57:37Z")

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Hi, I am trying use the VThermo app to control a panel heater using a temperature sensor and smart plug. I have no problems setting it up so that the “thermostat” reads the temperature from the sensor. However, when I try to change what is plugged into the smart plug to heather (I have tried two different ones), I get this error message “device:%20should%20be%20string%20(%23/properties/note/type)”. The “thermostat” does not turn on/off the smart plug when it is defined as a generic smart plug.

Any ideas what is causing this issue?

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**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 3:45pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/2 "2023-10-21T15:45:38Z")

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> [@bjornand](#):
>
> Any ideas what is causing this issue?

Yes, this is a known issue with the mobile app. Search the forum for the relevant thread about it.

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**Author:** ![bjornand](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/bjornand/32/7982_2.png) [@bjornand](https://community.homey.app/u/bjornand)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 4:33pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/3 "2023-10-21T16:33:46Z")

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Thanks for letting me know. I have tried searching for a thread about this, but I could not really find anything. In any case, I tried changing this setting in the web app, but there I don’t see this setting at all… Is there any known workaround?

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**Author:** ![robertklep](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/robertklep/32/160628_2.png) [@robertklep](https://community.homey.app/u/robertklep)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 4:49pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/4 "2023-10-21T16:49:11Z")

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> [@bjornand](#):
>
> I have tried searching for a thread about this, but I could not really find anything.

It’s discussed here:

> [@Error when change device type (Homey Mobile App \< v7.5.0)](https://community.homey.app/t/error-when-change-device-type-homey-mobile-app-v7-5-0/91527):
>
> Ive get this error when trying to change what is connected to a device. Same error on all devices . Restart och Homey and reinstalld homey app but no difference .Any tips to fix this ?

> [@](#):
>
> Is there any known workaround?

Yes: [Error when change device type (Homey Mobile App \< v7.5.0) - #20 by robertklep](https://community.homey.app/t/error-when-change-device-type-homey-mobile-app-v7-5-0/91527/20)

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**Author:** ![bjornand](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/bjornand/32/7982_2.png) [@bjornand](https://community.homey.app/u/bjornand)\
**Post date:** [October 21, 2023, 6:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/5 "2023-10-21T18:21:19Z")

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Excellent, a space in the note field fixed it!

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![bjornand](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/bjornand/32/7982_2.png) [@bjornand](https://community.homey.app/u/bjornand)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2023, 7:22am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/use-vthermo-to-control-smart-plug/92442/6 "2023-10-22T07:22:03Z")

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So with your tip @robertklep, I manage to get both a heater and a temperature sensor in the same room as the virtual thermostat, but I am still not entirely sure how this “thermostat” works… Unlike a regular thermostat/heater, there is no choice of modes (auto, heat, cool, off) and it does not give an option to set a target temperature, it just shows the current temperature.

Must a number of flows be set up to have it work properly?