Card ignores hvac_mode_template changes

[jrodrigoferreira]

The problem

The thermostat card is ignoring changes in the hvac_mode_template: field unless the entity goes unavailable and available again.

For example, if the current mode is Off and if I force the template like this in the configuration file and reload the YAML:

hvac_mode_template: heat

The card does not react. In order for it to show the "heat" mode (red background, etc) I have to force the entity unavailable and then back available. hvac_action_template updates correctly though, and reacts immediately.

What version of Template Climate has the issue?

1.3.0

What version of Home Assistant are you running?

2025.10.3 / 2025.10.0 / 16.2 / 20251001.4

What type of installation are you running?

Home Assistant OS

Example YAML snippet

Anything in the logs that might be useful for us?

Additional information

No response

[jrodrigoferreira]

Finally I figured it out (I needed to set the actions as well for it to react).

Here is the YAML for my full thermostat, in case it might help someone. It's working beautifully, I gotta say!

climate:
  - platform: climate_template
    name: Elena's Room
    modes:
      - "off"
      - "heat"
    min_temp: 10
    max_temp: 30
    
    # available based on controller's availability
    availability_template: >
      {% if is_state('sensor.z2m_climate_w100_room_elena_temperature', 'unavailable') or is_state('switch.z2m_plug_heater_elena', 'unavailable')  %}
        false
      {% else %}
        true
      {% endif %}

    # get current temp.
    current_temperature_template: "{{ states('sensor.z2m_climate_w100_room_elena_temperature') }}"
    
    # get current humidity.
    current_humidity_template: "{{ states('sensor.z2m_climate_w100_room_elena_humidity') }}"
    
    # get temperature setpoint
    target_temperature_template : "{{ states('input_number.ftherm_setpoint_roomelena') }}"
    
    # hvac mode (Off or Heat)
    hvac_mode_template: "{% if states('input_boolean.ftherm_status_roomelena') == 'on' %} heat {% else %} off {% endif %}"
    
    # action to set hvac On or Off (service can be templated)
    set_hvac_mode:
        - service: >
            {% if hvac_mode == 'off' %} 
              input_boolean.turn_off 
            {% elif hvac_mode == 'heat' %} 
              input_boolean.turn_on 
            {% endif %}
          target:
            entity_id: input_boolean.ftherm_status_roomelena
            
    # action (idle or heating)
    hvac_action_template: "{% if states('input_boolean.ftherm_heateron_roomelena') == 'on' %} heating {% else %} idle {% endif %}"

    # low and high setpoint limits
    target_temperature_high_template : "{{ state_attr('input_number.ftherm_setpoint_roomelena', 'max') }} "
    target_temperature_low_template :  "{{ state_attr('input_number.ftherm_setpoint_roomelena', 'min') }} "
    temp_step: 0.5
   
    # set temperature setpoint
    set_temperature:
      - service: input_number.set_value
        target: 
            entity_id: input_number.ftherm_setpoint_roomelena
        data:
          value: "{{ temperature }}"

input_boolean.ftherm_status_roomelena is the boolean that turns my temperature control automations on or off and input_boolean.ftherm_heateron_roomelena tells me if the heater is on in the room.