diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py b/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
index e6499753..c279c519 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/__init__.py
@@ -19,7 +19,7 @@
 _LOGGER = logging.getLogger(__name__)
 
 DOMAIN = 'smartir'
-VERSION = '1.17.10'
+VERSION = '1.17.11'
 MANIFEST_URL = (
     "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/"
     "smartHomeHub/SmartIR/{}/"
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/climate.py b/custom_components/smartir/climate.py
index 87b9e2dc..6a08f460 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/climate.py
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/climate.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+import aiofiles
 import json
 import logging
 import os.path
@@ -81,14 +82,15 @@ async def async_setup_platform(hass, config, async_add_entities, discovery_info=
                           "place the file manually in the proper directory.")
             return
 
-    with open(device_json_path) as j:
-        try:
+    try:
+        async with aiofiles.open(device_json_path, mode='r') as j:
             _LOGGER.debug(f"loading json file {device_json_path}")
-            device_data = json.load(j)
+            content = await j.read()
+            device_data = json.loads(content)
             _LOGGER.debug(f"{device_json_path} file loaded")
-        except Exception:
-            _LOGGER.error("The device Json file is invalid")
-            return
+    except Exception:
+        _LOGGER.error("The device JSON file is invalid")
+        return
 
     async_add_entities([SmartIRClimate(
         hass, config, device_data
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/fan.py b/custom_components/smartir/fan.py
index df386ace..7a8cb942 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/fan.py
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/fan.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+import aiofiles
 import json
 import logging
 import os.path
@@ -74,12 +75,15 @@ async def async_setup_platform(hass, config, async_add_entities, discovery_info=
                           "place the file manually in the proper directory.")
             return
 
-    with open(device_json_path) as j:
-        try:
-            device_data = json.load(j)
-        except Exception:
-            _LOGGER.error("The device JSON file is invalid")
-            return
+    try:
+        async with aiofiles.open(device_json_path, mode='r') as j:
+            _LOGGER.debug(f"loading json file {device_json_path}")
+            content = await j.read()
+            device_data = json.loads(content)
+            _LOGGER.debug(f"{device_json_path} file loaded")
+    except Exception:
+        _LOGGER.error("The device JSON file is invalid")
+        return
 
     async_add_entities([SmartIRFan(
         hass, config, device_data
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json b/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
index 5e6e17e9..d1356156 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/manifest.json
@@ -6,10 +6,10 @@
   "codeowners": ["@smartHomeHub"],
   "requirements": ["aiofiles>=0.6.0"],
   "homeassistant": "2024.10.0",
-  "version": "1.17.10",
+  "version": "1.17.11",
   "updater": {
-    "version": "1.17.10",
-    "releaseNotes": "-- ClimateEntityFeature enum compatibility",
+    "version": "1.17.11",
+    "releaseNotes": "-- Implements asynchronous device file loading",
     "files": [
       "__init__.py",
       "climate.py",
diff --git a/custom_components/smartir/media_player.py b/custom_components/smartir/media_player.py
index 278a8402..48a71b00 100644
--- a/custom_components/smartir/media_player.py
+++ b/custom_components/smartir/media_player.py
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import asyncio
+import aiofiles
 import json
 import logging
 import os.path
@@ -72,12 +73,15 @@ async def async_setup_platform(hass, config, async_add_entities, discovery_info=
                           "place the file manually in the proper directory.")
             return
 
-    with open(device_json_path) as j:
-        try:
-            device_data = json.load(j)
-        except Exception:
-            _LOGGER.error("The device JSON file is invalid")
-            return
+    try:
+        async with aiofiles.open(device_json_path, mode='r') as j:
+            _LOGGER.debug(f"loading json file {device_json_path}")
+            content = await j.read()
+            device_data = json.loads(content)
+            _LOGGER.debug(f"{device_json_path} file loaded")
+    except Exception:
+        _LOGGER.error("The device JSON file is invalid")
+        return
 
     async_add_entities([SmartIRMediaPlayer(
         hass, config, device_data