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title: ESPHome 2026.2.0: Faster builds, leaner runtime | daily.dev
description: ESPHome 2026.2.0 delivers major performance gains: ESP32 Arduino builds compile 36% faster with 44% less flash and 50% less static RAM, ESP-IDF compiles are...
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# ESPHome 2026.2.0: Faster builds, leaner runtime

**[ESPHome - Smart Home Made Simple](https://daily.dev/sources/esphome)** · 18 min read · 0 upvotes · 0 comments

## Summary

ESPHome 2026.2.0 delivers major performance gains: ESP32 Arduino builds compile 36% faster with 44% less flash and 50% less static RAM, ESP-IDF compiles are ~22% faster, and CPU usage drops significantly across BLE tracking (~85%), MQTT (~6.5%), and the scheduler (25% smaller). ESP8266 devices recover RAM via flash-based string storage. The release adds three new components (DLMS smart meter, CH423 I/O expander, SY6970 battery management), seven new display models, expanded Zigbee support on nRF52, and security hardening including constant-time authentication and cryptographic random generation. Breaking changes require action for users of bmp581 sensors (rename platform to bmp581_i2c), cover automations using on_open (rename to on_opened), and DSMR firmware version sensors (move to text_sensor). Several patch releases (2026.2.1 through 2026.2.4) followed with bug fixes for socket handling, UART sync, and WiFi power settings.

## Full article

daily.dev links to this article rather than hosting it. Read it at the original source: <https://esphome.io/blog/2026/02/18/esphome-2026-2>

## Questions this post answers

### What do I need to change in my ESPHome config after upgrading to 2026.2.0 if I use the bmp581 sensor?

Update the platform from bmp581 to bmp581_i2c. The BMP581 pressure sensor component was split into bmp581_base and bmp581_i2c to prepare for future SPI support, so existing configurations referencing the old bmp581 platform name will break unless updated.

_daily.dev helps developers track breaking config changes before an ESPHome upgrade bites them._

### Why did my ESPHome cover automation using on_open stop firing correctly after updating to 2026.2.0?

The on_open trigger was renamed to on_opened, with the old name deprecated until version 2026.8.0. Additionally, on_opened and on_closed now only fire on transitions to the fully open or closed state rather than on every state update, so automations relying on repeated firing need adjustment.

_Developers tracking cover automation quirks across ESPHome releases can follow updates like this on daily.dev._

### How much faster are ESP32 builds in ESPHome 2026.2.0 compared to previous versions?

ESP32 Arduino builds compile 36% faster and produce 44% less flash usage and 50% less static RAM, while ESP-IDF compiles are roughly 22% faster. These gains come from selective compilation that only builds the Arduino and ESP-IDF parts a given configuration actually uses, requiring zero configuration changes for most users.

_Anyone comparing embedded build performance across firmware releases can follow updates like this on daily.dev._

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---

Tags: [#iot](https://daily.dev/tags/iot), [#embedded](https://daily.dev/tags/embedded), [#firmware](https://daily.dev/tags/firmware)

[View this post on daily.dev](https://daily.dev/posts/esphome-2026-2-0-faster-builds-leaner-runtime-83hynci5m)

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