/away-mode

Handle house Away Mode transitions — departure preparation and return restoration.

Invocation

• "we're leaving" / "activate away mode" / "set vantage away mode" → run Departure flow
• "we're home" / "we're back" / "deactivate away mode" → run Return flow

Vantage Away Mode

Vantage controller at 10.0.0.50. Use vantage_probe.py to invoke tasks:

python3 .claude/scripts/vantage_probe.py task 6647   # AWAY  (departure)
python3 .claude/scripts/vantage_probe.py task 6643   # Home  (return)

Note: The physical keypads require a complex 3-press sequence ([7426] AWAY 3 PRESS / [7425] HOME 3 PRESS) that is easy to forget. Always invoke programmatically via tasks 6647/6643 instead.

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Departure Flow

Confirm the following are done (ask user to confirm each or check remotely where possible):

Physical (manual — no remote access)

• Studio garage thermostat set manually (leave at 55°F for absence)
• Studio amplifiers and music gear powered off and stowed
• Fridges and pantry cleared of perishables
• Hot tub cover on (set temp to 85°F for maintenance)

Networked — check/action

• Rheem heat pump water heater — set to vacation mode via Rheem app
• Alexa routines — switch to Away mode:
  • Disable: "kitchen pump on", "Ice Maker On", "pool house hot water pump on"
  • Keep enabled: "hot water pumps off", "Ice Maker Off", "bug zapper on", "bug zapper off"
• EcoWater softener — check salt level (self-alerting, top up if low)
• Ambient Weather — confirm All Batteries OK (check dashboard)

Verify running

• Instar agent is running and scheduled jobs are active
• Morning weather reports configured
• Wine cabinet monitoring active (if ecobee API key configured)

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Return Flow

When user says "we're home" or "we're back":

1. Welcome back message with how long the house was unoccupied
2. Return checklist — restore everything to Home mode:

Networked — restore

• Rheem heat pump water heater — switch from vacation → normal mode (Rheem app)
• Alexa routines — re-enable Home mode:
  • Re-enable: "kitchen pump on", "Ice Maker On"
  • Check if "pool house hot water pump on" should be re-enabled
• Check EcoWater softener salt level
• Check Ambient Weather — All Batteries OK

Physical — check on-site

• Studio garage thermostat — set back to normal operating temperature
• Hot tub — adjust temperature from 85°F if desired
• Studio gear — power up as needed
• Water utility room — visual check, no leaks

Optional

• Check FunkyGibbon for any notes or alerts logged during absence
• Review morning weather reports from the absence period

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Key Device Reference

Device	Location	Away State	Return Action
Studio thermostat	Studio garage	55°F manual	Check + adjust
Hot tub	Rear exterior	85°F, covered	Adjust if needed
Rheem HPWH (kitchen)	Water Mech Room	Vacation mode	→ Normal mode
Rheem HPWH (bedrooms)	East Wing Mech Room	—	Check
EcoWater softener	Water Mech Room	Running, full	Check salt
Kitchen circulation pump	Water Mech Room	Alexa routine off	Re-enable
Pool house hot water pump	Pool area	Alexa routine off	Re-enable
Ice Maker	Kitchen	Alexa routine off	Re-enable
Bug zapper	Exterior	Running unchanged	No action
Mitsubishi heat pump	East Wing Mech Room	Normal operation	No action
Wine AC system	Attic above garage	Ecobee-controlled	No action