diff --git a/homeassistant/__init__.py b/homeassistant/__init__.py
index b38eaddcd30..44793a938a6 100644
--- a/homeassistant/__init__.py
+++ b/homeassistant/__init__.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ TIMER_INTERVAL = 10 # seconds
 # every minute.
 assert 60 % TIMER_INTERVAL == 0, "60 % TIMER_INTERVAL should be 0!"
 
-State = namedtuple("State", ['state', 'last_changed', 'attributes'])
+DATE_STR_FORMAT = "%H:%M:%S %d-%m-%Y"
 
 def start_home_assistant(eventbus):
     """ Start home assistant. """
@@ -41,6 +41,14 @@ def start_home_assistant(eventbus):
         except KeyboardInterrupt:
             break
 
+def datetime_to_str(dattim):
+    """ Converts datetime to a string format. """
+    return dattim.strftime(DATE_STR_FORMAT)
+
+def str_to_datetime(dt_str):
+    """ Converts a string to a datetime object. """
+    return datetime.strptime(dt_str, DATE_STR_FORMAT)
+
 def ensure_list(parameter):
     """ Wraps parameter in a list if it is not one and returns it. """
     return parameter if isinstance(parameter, list) else [parameter]
@@ -52,6 +60,18 @@ def matcher(subject, pattern):
     """
     return '*' in pattern or subject in pattern
 
+def create_state(state, attributes=None, last_changed=None):
+    """ Creates a new state and initializes defaults where necessary. """
+    attributes = attributes or {}
+    last_changed = last_changed or datetime.now()
+
+    # We do not want microseconds, as they get lost when we do datetime_to_str
+    last_changed = last_changed.replace(microsecond=0)
+
+    return {'state': state,
+            'attributes': attributes,
+            'last_changed': last_changed}
+
 def track_state_change(eventbus, category, from_state, to_state, action):
     """ Helper method to track specific state changes. """
     from_state = ensure_list(from_state)
@@ -60,8 +80,8 @@ def track_state_change(eventbus, category, from_state, to_state, action):
     def listener(event):
         """ State change listener that listens for specific state changes. """
         if category == event.data['category'] and \
-                matcher(event.data['old_state'].state, from_state) and \
-                matcher(event.data['new_state'].state, to_state):
+                matcher(event.data['old_state']['state'], from_state) and \
+                matcher(event.data['new_state']['state'], to_state):
 
             action(event.data['category'],
                    event.data['old_state'],
@@ -81,21 +101,23 @@ def track_time_change(eventbus, action,
 
     def listener(event):
         """ Listens for matching time_changed events. """
-        if  (point_in_time and event.data['now'] > point_in_time) or \
+        now = str_to_datetime(event.data['now'])
+
+        if  (point_in_time and now > point_in_time) or \
                 (not point_in_time and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].year, year) and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].month, month) and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].day, day) and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].hour, hour) and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].minute, minute) and \
-                matcher(event.data['now'].second, second)):
+                matcher(now.year, year) and \
+                matcher(now.month, month) and \
+                matcher(now.day, day) and \
+                matcher(now.hour, hour) and \
+                matcher(now.minute, minute) and \
+                matcher(now.second, second)):
 
             # point_in_time are exact points in time
             # so we always remove it after fire
             if listen_once or point_in_time:
                 event.eventbus.remove_listener(EVENT_TIME_CHANGED, listener)
 
-            action(event.data['now'])
+            action(now)
 
     eventbus.listen(EVENT_TIME_CHANGED, listener)
 
@@ -194,18 +216,16 @@ class StateMachine(object):
 
         # Add category if it does not exist
         if category not in self.states:
-            self.states[category] = State(new_state, datetime.now(),
-                                                                attributes)
+            self.states[category] = create_state(new_state, attributes)
 
         # Change state and fire listeners
         else:
             old_state = self.states[category]
 
-            if old_state.state != new_state or \
-                old_state.attributes != attributes:
+            if old_state['state'] != new_state or \
+                old_state['attributes'] != attributes:
 
-                self.states[category] = State(new_state, datetime.now(),
-                                                                attributes)
+                self.states[category] = create_state(new_state, attributes)
 
                 self.eventbus.fire(EVENT_STATE_CHANGED,
                     {'category':category,
@@ -219,16 +239,17 @@ class StateMachine(object):
 
         state = self.states.get(category, None)
 
-        return state and state.state == state
+        return state and state['state'] == state
 
     def get_state(self, category):
-        """ Returns a tuple (state,last_changed) describing
+        """ Returns a dict (state,last_changed, attributes) describing
             the state of the specified category. """
         if category not in self.states:
             raise CategoryDoesNotExistException(
                     "Category {} does not exist.".format(category))
 
-        return self.states[category]
+        # Make a copy so people won't accidently mutate the state
+        return dict(self.states[category])
 
 
 class Timer(threading.Thread):
@@ -269,7 +290,8 @@ class Timer(threading.Thread):
 
             last_fired_on_second = now.second
 
-            self.eventbus.fire(EVENT_TIME_CHANGED, {'now':now})
+            self.eventbus.fire(EVENT_TIME_CHANGED,
+                                    {'now': datetime_to_str(now)})
 
 class HomeAssistantException(Exception):
     """ General Home Assistant exception occured. """
diff --git a/homeassistant/actors.py b/homeassistant/actors.py
index b9e06a3ede8..d4a1f11b250 100644
--- a/homeassistant/actors.py
+++ b/homeassistant/actors.py
@@ -173,8 +173,8 @@ class LightTrigger(object):
         """ Returns the datetime object representing the next sun setting. """
         state = self.statemachine.get_state(STATE_CATEGORY_SUN)
 
-        return util.str_to_datetime(
-                            state.attributes[STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_SETTING])
+        return ha.str_to_datetime(
+                        state['attributes'][STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_SETTING])
 
     def _time_for_light_before_sun_set(self):
         """ Helper method to calculate the point in time we have to start
diff --git a/homeassistant/httpinterface.py b/homeassistant/httpinterface.py
index d9284068831..2e65ef37058 100644
--- a/homeassistant/httpinterface.py
+++ b/homeassistant/httpinterface.py
@@ -32,8 +32,7 @@ import logging
 from BaseHTTPServer import BaseHTTPRequestHandler, HTTPServer
 from urlparse import urlparse, parse_qs
 
-import homeassistant
-import homeassistant.util as util
+import homeassistant as ha
 
 SERVER_PORT = 8123
 
@@ -66,8 +65,7 @@ class HTTPInterface(threading.Thread):
         self.server.statemachine = statemachine
         self.server.api_password = api_password
 
-        eventbus.listen_once(homeassistant.EVENT_START,
-                                                    lambda event: self.start())
+        eventbus.listen_once(ha.EVENT_START, lambda event: self.start())
 
     def run(self):
         """ Start the HTTP interface. """
@@ -122,15 +120,15 @@ class RequestHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
                     state = self.server.statemachine.get_state(category)
 
                     attributes = "<br>".join(
-                        ["{}: {}".format(attr, state.attributes[attr])
-                         for attr in state.attributes])
+                        ["{}: {}".format(attr, state['attributes'][attr])
+                         for attr in state['attributes']])
 
                     write(("<tr>"
                            "<td>{}</td><td>{}</td><td>{}</td><td>{}</td>"
                            "</tr>").
                         format(category,
-                               state.state,
-                               util.datetime_to_str(state.last_changed),
+                               state['state'],
+                               ha.datetime_to_str(state['last_changed']),
                                attributes))
 
                 write("</table>")
@@ -211,14 +209,16 @@ class RequestHandler(BaseHTTPRequestHandler):
 
                     state = self.server.statemachine.get_state(category)
 
-                    self._response(use_json,
-                        "State of {}".format(category),
-                        json_data={'category': category,
-                                   'state': state.state,
-                                   'last_changed':
-                                      util.datetime_to_str(state.last_changed),
-                                   'attributes': state.attributes
-                                   })
+                    state['category'] = category
+
+                    state['last_changed'] = ha.datetime_to_str(
+                                                    state['last_changed'])
+
+
+                    print state
+
+                    self._response(use_json, "State of {}".format(category),
+                                   json_data=state)
 
 
                 except KeyError:
diff --git a/homeassistant/observers.py b/homeassistant/observers.py
index c1468633cd8..0c030ad43fe 100644
--- a/homeassistant/observers.py
+++ b/homeassistant/observers.py
@@ -18,7 +18,6 @@ import json
 import requests
 
 import homeassistant as ha
-import homeassistant.util as util
 
 STATE_CATEGORY_SUN = "weather.sun"
 STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_RISING = "next_rising"
@@ -77,8 +76,8 @@ def track_sun(eventbus, statemachine, latitude, longitude):
                         format(new_state, next_change.strftime("%H:%M")))
 
         state_attributes = {
-          STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_RISING: util.datetime_to_str(next_rising),
-          STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_SETTING: util.datetime_to_str(next_setting)
+          STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_RISING: ha.datetime_to_str(next_rising),
+          STATE_ATTRIBUTE_NEXT_SUN_SETTING: ha.datetime_to_str(next_setting)
         }
 
         statemachine.set_state(STATE_CATEGORY_SUN, new_state, state_attributes)
@@ -203,7 +202,7 @@ class DeviceTracker(object):
                     DEVICE_STATE_NOT_HOME)
 
         # Get the currently used statuses
-        states_of_devices = [self.statemachine.get_state(category).state
+        states_of_devices = [self.statemachine.get_state(category)['state']
                              for category in self.device_state_categories()]
 
         # Update the all devices category
diff --git a/homeassistant/remote.py b/homeassistant/remote.py
index 9e2c7a5381f..93ab356d131 100644
--- a/homeassistant/remote.py
+++ b/homeassistant/remote.py
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@ homeassistant.remote
 
 A module containing drop in replacements for core parts that will interface
 with a remote instance of home assistant.
+
+If a connection error occurs while communicating with the API a
+HomeAssistantException will be raised.
 """
 
 import threading
@@ -12,9 +15,8 @@ import json
 
 import requests
 
-import homeassistant
+import homeassistant as ha
 import homeassistant.httpinterface as httpinterface
-import homeassistant.util as util
 
 def _setup_call_api(host, port, base_path, api_password):
     """ Helper method to setup a call api method. """
@@ -33,13 +35,13 @@ def _setup_call_api(host, port, base_path, api_password):
     return _call_api
 
 
-class EventBus(homeassistant.EventBus):
+class EventBus(ha.EventBus):
     """ Drop-in replacement for a normal eventbus that will forward events to
     a remote eventbus.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, host, api_password, port=None):
-        homeassistant.EventBus.__init__(self)
+        ha.EventBus.__init__(self)
 
         self._call_api = _setup_call_api(host, port, "event/", api_password)
 
@@ -55,7 +57,15 @@ class EventBus(homeassistant.EventBus):
                 'event_data': json.dumps(event_data)}
 
         try:
-            self._call_api("fire", data)
+            req = self._call_api("fire", data)
+
+            if req.status_code != 200:
+                error = "Error firing event: {} - {}".format(
+                            req.status_code, req.text)
+
+                self.logger.error("EventBus:{}".format(error))
+                raise ha.HomeAssistantException(error)
+
 
         except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
             self.logger.exception("EventBus:Error connecting to server")
@@ -73,13 +83,13 @@ class EventBus(homeassistant.EventBus):
 
         raise NotImplementedError
 
-class StateMachine(homeassistant.StateMachine):
+class StateMachine(ha.StateMachine):
     """ Drop-in replacement for a normal statemachine that communicates with a
     remote statemachine.
     """
 
     def __init__(self, host, api_password, port=None):
-        homeassistant.StateMachine.__init__(self, None)
+        ha.StateMachine.__init__(self, None)
 
         self._call_api = _setup_call_api(host, port, "state/", api_password)
 
@@ -103,6 +113,10 @@ class StateMachine(homeassistant.StateMachine):
             self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Got unexpected result")
             return []
 
+        except KeyError: # If 'categories' key not in parsed json
+            self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Got unexpected result (2)")
+            return []
+
     def set_state(self, category, new_state, attributes=None):
         """ Set the state of a category, add category if it does not exist.
 
@@ -117,17 +131,24 @@ class StateMachine(homeassistant.StateMachine):
                 'attributes': json.dumps(attributes)}
 
         try:
-            self._call_api('change', data)
+            req = self._call_api('change', data)
+
+            if req.status_code != 200:
+                error = "Error changing state: {} - {}".format(
+                            req.status_code, req.text)
+
+                self.logger.error("StateMachine:{}".format(error))
+                raise ha.HomeAssistantException(error)
 
         except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
-            # Raise a Home Assistant error??
             self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Error connecting to server")
+            raise ha.HomeAssistantException("Error connecting to server")
 
         finally:
             self.lock.release()
 
     def get_state(self, category):
-        """ Returns a tuple (state,last_changed) describing
+        """ Returns a dict (state,last_changed, attributes) describing
             the state of the specified category. """
 
         try:
@@ -135,13 +156,20 @@ class StateMachine(homeassistant.StateMachine):
 
             data = req.json()
 
-            return homeassistant.State(data['state'],
-                            util.str_to_datetime(data['last_changed']),
-                            data['attributes'])
+            return ha.create_state(data['state'],
+                            data['attributes'],
+                            ha.str_to_datetime(data['last_changed']))
 
         except requests.exceptions.ConnectionError:
             self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Error connecting to server")
+            raise ha.HomeAssistantException("Error connecting to server")
 
         except ValueError: # If req.json() can't parse the json
             self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Got unexpected result")
-            return []
+            raise ha.HomeAssistantException(
+                            "Got unexpected result: {}".format(req.text))
+
+        except KeyError: # If not all expected keys are in the returned JSON
+            self.logger.exception("StateMachine:Got unexpected result (2)")
+            raise ha.HomeAssistantException(
+                            "Got unexpected result (2): {}".format(req.text))
diff --git a/homeassistant/test.py b/homeassistant/test.py
index f58f64be21c..80164bc897f 100644
--- a/homeassistant/test.py
+++ b/homeassistant/test.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import requests
 import homeassistant as ha
 import homeassistant.remote as remote
 import homeassistant.httpinterface as httpinterface
-import homeassistant.util as util
+
 
 
 API_PASSWORD = "test1234"
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
                   "new_state":"debug_state_change",
                   "api_password":API_PASSWORD})
 
-        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test").state,
+        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test")['state'],
                          "debug_state_change")
 
 
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
         data = req.json()
 
         state = self.statemachine.get_state("test")
-        trunc_last_changed = state.last_changed.replace(microsecond=0)
+
 
         self.assertEqual(data['category'], "test")
-        self.assertEqual(data['state'], state.state)
-        self.assertEqual(util.str_to_datetime(data['last_changed']),
-                                                        trunc_last_changed)
-        self.assertEqual(data['attributes'], state.attributes)
+        self.assertEqual(data['state'], state['state'])
+        self.assertEqual(ha.str_to_datetime(data['last_changed']),
+                                                        state['last_changed'])
+        self.assertEqual(data['attributes'], state['attributes'])
 
 
     def test_api_state_change(self):
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
                   "new_state":"debug_state_change2",
                   "api_password":API_PASSWORD})
 
-        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test").state,
+        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test")['state'],
                          "debug_state_change2")
 
 
@@ -138,11 +138,10 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
         remote_state = self.remote_sm.get_state("test")
 
         state = self.statemachine.get_state("test")
-        trunc_last_changed = state.last_changed.replace(microsecond=0)
 
-        self.assertEqual(remote_state.state, state.state)
-        self.assertEqual(remote_state.last_changed, trunc_last_changed)
-        self.assertEqual(remote_state.attributes, state.attributes)
+        self.assertEqual(remote_state['state'], state['state'])
+        self.assertEqual(remote_state['last_changed'], state['last_changed'])
+        self.assertEqual(remote_state['attributes'], state['attributes'])
 
 
     def test_remote_sm_state_change(self):
@@ -152,8 +151,8 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
 
         state = self.statemachine.get_state("test")
 
-        self.assertEqual(state.state, "set_remotely")
-        self.assertEqual(state.attributes['test'], 1)
+        self.assertEqual(state['state'], "set_remotely")
+        self.assertEqual(state['attributes']['test'], 1)
 
 
     def test_api_multiple_state_change(self):
@@ -167,9 +166,9 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
                   "new_state": ["test_state_1", "test_state_2"],
                   "api_password":API_PASSWORD})
 
-        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test").state,
+        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test")['state'],
                          "test_state_1")
-        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test2").state,
+        self.assertEqual(self.statemachine.get_state("test2")['state'],
                          "test_state_2")
 
     # pylint: disable=invalid-name
@@ -185,7 +184,7 @@ class TestHTTPInterface(unittest.TestCase):
                       "api_password":API_PASSWORD})
 
         cur_state = (self.statemachine.
-                        get_state("test_category_that_does_not_exist").state)
+                        get_state("test_category_that_does_not_exist")['state'])
 
         self.assertEqual(req.status_code, 200)
         self.assertEqual(cur_state, new_state)
diff --git a/homeassistant/util.py b/homeassistant/util.py
index ba11542b682..51e9ebcef9a 100644
--- a/homeassistant/util.py
+++ b/homeassistant/util.py
@@ -1,18 +1,8 @@
 """ Helper methods for various modules. """
 
-from datetime import datetime
 import re
 
-DATE_STR_FORMAT = "%H:%M:%S %d-%m-%Y"
-
 def sanitize_filename(filename):
     """ Sanitizes a filename by removing .. / and \\. """
     return re.sub(r"(~|(\.\.)|/|\+)", "", filename)
 
-def datetime_to_str(dattim):
-    """ Converts datetime to a string format. """
-    return dattim.strftime(DATE_STR_FORMAT)
-
-def str_to_datetime(dt_str):
-    """ Converts a string to a datetime object. """
-    return datetime.strptime(dt_str, DATE_STR_FORMAT)