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Tony Brobston’s Yet Another Smart Vent is an open-source, 3D-printed register that uses an ESP8266 and servo to adjust airflow at an individual vent. It can be controlled through ESPHome and MQTT, but it is not a self-contained thermostat or a complete HVAC zoning system: room sensors, automation, and a plan for managing duct pressure are still required.
What problem does the project address?
In a forced-air home, one central thermostat may serve rooms with very different comfort needs. Unequal duct runs, sunlight, insulation, occupancy, and thermostat location can all contribute to temperature differences. Brobston’s project addresses that mismatch at the register: instead of treating every room as if it needs the same airflow, a motorized vent can open or restrict airflow in a selected room.
The project was covered by Hackaday on August 18, 2022. Its name can suggest that each vent independently monitors room temperature, but the basic design is better understood as an individually controlled airflow device. The control decision comes from sensors and automation elsewhere in the home.
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- Measure or decide. A room sensor or automation rule determines whether a room needs more or less conditioned air. Use a sensor positioned to represent the occupied room, not assume a sensor beside a register gives a representative room reading.
- Send a command. An automation platform can publish a command using MQTT over the local network.
- Move the louvers. The vent’s ESP8266 receives the command and drives a servo that changes the louver position.
- Report state. The firmware can communicate the vent’s reported position or state through the messaging and automation setup.
The project repository describes an ESPHome/MQTT approach and a local-control philosophy. Integration with Home Assistant is possible, but whether a particular setup works smoothly depends on its firmware configuration, broker, network, and automation rules. The repository does not establish a universal set of MQTT topic names, so those should be taken from the configuration used for a specific build rather than guessed.
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- Not only it is easy to program for this controller by using the CP2102-USB interface,but also unnecessary to press the flash and reset buttons before each flash operation.
- NodeMcu is an open source Lua based firmware for the ESP8266, ultra low cost wireless modules, development boards for rapid prototyping, integrated with ESP8266 chips.
- The ESP8266 has powerful on-board processing and storage capabilities, and can be integrated with sensors and other application-specific devices through its GPIOs.
- It is compatible with Arduino IDE,works great with the latest Mongoose IoT/Micropython.
- Modern Internet development tools can use the built-in API to instantly put your idea on the fast track.
Hardware, sizes, and software
Electronics and printed parts
The core design combines an ESP8266-based controller, a servo, and 3D-printed register hardware. Contemporary Hackster coverage identifies the article-era build’s components as a Wemos D1 Mini, DC Power Shield, and Batan B2122 servo. Those details describe that reported build, not a guaranteed bill of materials for every current repository configuration.
The repository lists configuration examples for Batan B2122 with AHT10 and DFRobot DMS-MG90-A with AHT10. The presence of examples does not establish that the combinations are equally tested or mechanically interchangeable; check the relevant files and parts for the revision you intend to build. An AHT10-equipped configuration also should not be taken to mean that a sensor mounted at the vent measures the room accurately.
Register dimensions
Hackaday’s 2022 coverage reported released designs from 2×10 inches through 6×12 inches. The repository README lists STL categories including 2×6, 2×10, 2×12, 3×10, 4×10, 4×12, 4×14, 6×8, 6×10, and 6×12. These are listed categories, not a guarantee that every size has been validated for every printer, duct opening, or register standard. Check the actual files and measure the opening and available clearance before printing.
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Licensing and project status
The repository lists an AGPL-3.0 license. Because the Hackaday report dates to 2022 and repository contents can change, check the current project files, configuration examples, and issue status before committing to a build.
Rank #2
- ESP8266 Breakout Board GPIO 1 into 2 Terminal Screw Board is Fully Compatible with ESP8266 ESP-12E
- GPIO 1 into 2: ESP8266 Breakout Board Can Expand 1 GPIO Pin to 2, Which is Convenient for Users to Reuse Pins for Large-Scale Smart Home Projects
- Double-Layer PCB: ESP8266 Breakout Board is a Double-Layer Board. One Pin is Wired On Both Sides. Therefore, the Circuit is Stable and Highly Reliable
- 2 Type Connections:ESP8266 Breakout Board Designed with Two Connection Methods: Pin Header Connector & Screw Terminal. Just Select Connection According to Your Need
- Convenient to USE: Compared with the Previous Version, Updated Version ESP8266 Breakout Board Has Been Soldered Completely. No Need to Solder Parts,Very Convenient to Use
Plan the build and integration
The repository organizes the work around electronics, printed parts, assembly, firmware, configuration, testing, and home-automation integration. A sensible build is incremental: first confirm that the selected printed mechanism fits and moves, then configure and test the electronics, and only then connect it to the home’s HVAC automation.
- Check fit and printing. Match the STL to the register opening and verify the printer’s usable build volume. Nominal dimensions alone do not prove that a printed part will fit a particular duct or finish.
- Assemble and align. Fit the servo linkage and louvers, then verify that the mechanism reaches its intended open and closed positions without binding.
- Configure firmware. Use the ESPHome configuration for the hardware combination actually being built. For a manual build, the repository documents this Docker command for its DFRobot DMS-MG90-A configuration:
docker run -v .:/config esphome/esphome compile yet-another-smart-vent-dfrobot-dms-mg90-a.yamlThe repository says this command creates the firmware at .esphome/build/yet-another-smart-vent/.pioenvs/yet-another-smart-vent/firmware.bin. The command and path are repository-specific; check the current README and configuration filenames before using them.
- Test the network and movement. Confirm the controller connects, receives the intended commands, and reports state as expected before installing the vent in a hard-to-access location.
- Integrate automation cautiously. Base decisions on representative room sensors and the HVAC operating state. Heating, cooling, fan-only, and off modes may require different rules.
Power also needs to be planned across every vent. The project coverage describes possibilities including individual supplies, centralized 24-volt distribution, and batteries; these approaches differ in wiring, maintenance, and installation complexity. Do not improvise mains wiring or a permanent low-voltage installation—consult a qualified electrician or HVAC professional as appropriate.
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Temperature sensing is not one-size-fits-all
Three measurements have different jobs:
- Room temperature: A sensor located in the occupied space can inform whether that room needs heating or cooling.
- Vent or supply-air temperature: A sensor at the register may be influenced by air emerging from the duct and should not automatically be treated as room temperature.
- HVAC Delta T: The difference between return-air and supply-air temperatures can help assess system operating conditions. The project repository recommends monitoring Delta T as part of the broader control strategy.
Hackaday describes pairing vents with thermometers distributed around the home, while the repository includes AHT10-related configurations. Neither point makes every sensor location suitable for room control. Keep room sensing distinct from equipment-level monitoring, and do not use a vent-position rule as a substitute for understanding the system’s operating limits.
Rank #3
- Built-in Micro-USB, with flash and reset switches, easy to program
- Arduino compatible, works great with the latest Arduino IDE/Mongoose IoT/Micropython
- Data download access to the website: http://www;nodemcu;com
Why closing vents can create an HVAC problem
When multiple registers close, duct resistance rises and airflow paths change. Depending on the equipment and duct design, excessive restriction can contribute to higher static pressure, lower airflow, noise, duct leakage, blower strain, or poor heating and cooling performance. The repository explicitly recommends a static-pressure-regulating damper between the return-air and supply-air plenums to relieve pressure associated with closing vents.
That recommendation is not a measurement of what a particular home needs, and a software limit on how many vents may close is not a substitute for pressure management. A contemporary Hackster report discussed a proposed strategy that would limit vents to roughly 80% closed when more than 75% of the vents were otherwise closed. Treat that as a project-specific proposal, not an HVAC safety standard or an engineer-approved universal setting.
Before expanding beyond a test vent, have an HVAC professional assess whether the duct system and equipment can tolerate the intended control strategy. For a permanent installation, pressure relief and equipment operation matter as much as the ability to move each louver.
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A networked vent depends on more than its motor. Wi-Fi, the MQTT broker, automation host, power supply, and servo can each fail. If communication stops, a vent may remain at its last commanded position unless the selected firmware explicitly implements another behavior.
Rank #4
- NodeMCU GPIO expansion board
- NodeMCU can be connected through by Pin Header & Screw Terminal
- GPIO 1 INTO 2
- Network or broker outage: Verify whether the vent retains its last state and how it reconnects. The repository lists opening a vent when the central control system goes offline as a future feature, so fail-open behavior should not be assumed.
- Power interruption or reboot: Check the physical louver position after power returns and test whether firmware state and actual position agree.
- Manual movement: The repository notes a mismatch issue between ESPHome’s reported servo position and the physical louver position after manual movement. Calibrate end positions and retest after anyone moves the louvers by hand.
- Stall or wear: Check for binding and listen for abnormal operation. Long-term servo gear wear, dust accumulation, printed-part creep, and heat-related warping are engineering considerations, not established durability results for every build.
For each failure mode, define a safe, testable response before relying on automation. Do not assume that a vent will automatically open after a router restart or a power loss.
Is it a zoning system?
Not on its own. The project controls airflow at individual registers; a complete HVAC zoning design generally coordinates zone sensors or thermostats, duct dampers, calls for heating or cooling, fan operation, and pressure management, often through a zone-control panel. The smart vent can be part of a broader control arrangement, but it does not replace the central thermostat or provide guaranteed room-temperature regulation by itself.
It is best considered register-level airflow control or balancing. Homes with ductless systems, radiators, inaccessible registers, unusually shallow openings, or already engineered duct zones may not be good candidates for this approach.
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| Option | Best suited to | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Yet Another Smart Vent | Makers who have printing capability and want customizable, local MQTT-based control. | Requires fabrication, firmware setup, calibration, and a separate HVAC safety strategy. |
| Commercial smart vents | People who prioritize finished hardware, a simpler installation, or vendor support. | Cloud requirements, ecosystem compatibility, support terms, and current availability vary by product and should be checked directly. |
| Conventional HVAC zoning | Whole-house installations where coordinated equipment control and duct design are priorities. | Typically involves more invasive professional design and installation than changing registers. |
| Simpler balancing or sensing | Homes where a remote thermostat sensor, manual register adjustment, or a small number of dampers may address the comfort issue. | May offer less room-by-room automation, but can avoid adding a controller and servo at every register. |
For commercial options, see the manufacturers’ sites for Flair Smart Vents and Pucks and Keen Home Smart Vent. Current pricing, stock, regional availability, cloud requirements, and compatibility are not established here; verify those details with the manufacturers. The project’s open-source approach may appeal to people who value firmware access and customization, while a commercial product may be a better fit for someone who does not want to print, wire, and troubleshoot hardware.
Best Value
- ESP8266 NodeMCU Lua ESP-12E CP2102 Development Board Module with USB C Type-C Interface, has a wider range of applications.
- Adopting the original brand new CP2102 chip with powerful functions, developing a complete set of tools for ESP8266.
- Built in Tensilica L106 ultra low power 32-bit micro MCU, with main frequency support of 80 MHz and 160 MHz
- Supports RTOS.
- Support many kinds of working modes like STAAP/STA+AP etc, support AT remote upgrade and cloud OTA , and upgrade for Smart Config function etc.
For a home whose heating or cooling equipment is controlled by an infrared remote, Hackaday also notes a possible separate Wi-Fi microcontroller approach to operating that equipment. That is an alternative control idea, not a built-in feature of this smart-vent design.
Who should build one?
This project is most compelling for a maker with a forced-air system, accessible registers, a 3D printer suited to the selected parts, and familiarity with wiring, ESPHome, MQTT, and home automation. It is less compelling if the goal is a ready-to-install product, if the register fit is uncertain, or if duct-pressure effects have not been considered.
Start with one vent and validate fit, servo travel, sensor placement, network recovery, and HVAC behavior before expanding. The project is a useful open-source platform for experimenting with airflow control; whether it is appropriate as a permanent system depends on the home’s ductwork, equipment, and safety plan.
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