Home Automation

So what is Home Automation? A residence with home automation, sometimes called a 'smart home' or 'wiser home' is basically a house with an integrated system that allows the simplified control of routine tasks.

Examples of Home Automation control:

• Home Automation through manual control: e.g. one button that turns several lights on when you arrive home.
• Home Automation through a schedule: e.g. sprinklers can be scheduled to turn on at a specified day/time.
• Home Automation through logic: e.g. if sunlight shines on windows, THEN the blinds close.

So what is Systems Integration and what does it have to do with Home Automation?

Systems integration is the linking of various technologies to create a home automation system. It makes control much simpler by tying together various control systems such as lighting, heating, air-conditioning, blinds, home entertainment etc so that ‘scenes’ can be created and the home automation system can then operate all or any of the systems simultaneously as needed.

For example:

• Choose ‘Movie’ on remote control - blinds close, lights dim, screen slides down from ceiling, projector starts to play, etc.
• Push ‘Goodnight’ button on keypad next to bed - lights throughout the house dim to off, air conditioning turns off, outside lights to security mode, alarm activates.
• Press ‘Away’ button by front door - all lights throughout house turn off, multi room audio turns off, alarm activates, garage door opens, etc.
• Access Home Automation system via work PC - open the driveway gates, disarm the alarm and unlock the front door to allow that tradesman to enter the property.
• Operate Smart Phone app - turn on the heating, some mood music, and selected lights - you’re on your way home with a special guest!

Home Automation is all about increased comfort, convenience, and security for your family. As well as creating that ‘WOW’ factor when you entertain.

Home automation does not have to be complicated, or hugely expensive.

You may wish to simply introduce some energy saving controls into your home to reduce your household’s running costs, with the additional bonus of reducing the home’s carbon footprint!

Energy management controls, now common in the commercial environment, can also be provided for home automation. Modern technology specifically provides stylish as well as functional energy saving control for domestic settings through a variety of simple, inexpensive stand-alone home automation systems or “add-ons”.

This can be as simple as adding presence detectors in a few locations to ensure lights, heating etc. are not left on in empty rooms. Lux sensors can ensure lighting remains switched off when there is enough natural light. Controllers that can be automated to dim lights will save on power costs as well as extend lamp life.

Home automation can involve your whole home, but it can also be set up to provide the features and benefits you want in just one part, or a few rooms of your home.

As well as the energy saving benefits, simple home automation can also provide additional security elements, for example lights can be set to switch on for a certain time, even when you are out or away from home!

We are accustomed to adjusting the volume, or switching channels on our television via a remote, from the comfort of our chair! So why is it, in so many homes, the family has to continually jump up to adjust the lights or the heating? Home automation allows control via remote or via time-clocks, schedules, etc. to make family life easier, and more convenient.

Obviously the ideal time to plan a home automation system is during the construction process prior to electrical cables being installed, and we are certainly happy to advise at this early stage so that the client can make decisions early enough in the planning stage to ensure all their requirements can be met for their new home.

With new emerging technology however, much of which no longer requires the running of specialist ‘home automation’ cables, it is now possible to install home automation into any house, whether a new build or a character home!

Numerous products are now available providing many of the benefits of the traditional but complex home automation systems, but allowing retro-fit solutions for minimal cost in existing homes, or when an “add-on” solution is required.

Automation Technology in the Workplace

Automation technology is also very relevant in today’s workplace. The aim is to manage complex tasks in a simple way! Automating routine tasks is a convenient way of ensuring the comfort of your workers, yet can also contribute to the company’s bottom line through savings in energy use.

More information on automation technology in the workplace can be found under ‘commercial controls’ or ‘energy efficiency’.