With the slider if you deselect the If Message Arrives on Input ... box then that will still set the slider position but won't send a message, so that should stop a loop through the slider. I think the text in the setup is confusing, I will open a new thread about that.
I don't see how the AT_HOME/Eco mode requirement causes a loop, can you explain the route the messages take that causes a loop?
[Edit] See Slider - If msg arrives on input ... misleading for my question about the wording on the slider dialog.
