What is Home Automation and How Does It Work?
IBM describes Automation as “…the application of technology, programs, robotics or processes to achieve outcomes with minimal human input.” So, that, in your home.
Think about when you come home from work. In July (making assumptions about which hemisphere you’re in) the sun fills your hallway with light and the climate is warm, so you kick off your shoes, hang up your jacket and stroll in. Now imagine that it’s February; it’s cold and it’s dark. Hopefully, someone left the carriage lamp on by the front door so you can safely navigate the steps. You get in the front door and it’s dark as pitch so you turn on the lights, but that means your privacy is affected so you close your curtains or blinds. You know the tiled floor underfoot will be chilly causing a small resentment about the removal of your outdoor shoes. The thermostat is in the middle of your hall, and it could be up to an hour before you start feeling the benefit of cranking that up.…or you could just walk into your comfortable warm home.
The heating was known to be on due to your scheduling and its mapping of the temperature not just inside but outside your house. The sensor that caught you approaching bought on the driveway path lights making your approach safe, and triggered your hall lights to dim up to a nice ambience of 60% and the blinds wound themselves down in accordance. The house knows that when you get home on a Friday you like to hear Nuit d’étoiles L4 by Claude Debussy so that strikes up, and your robot butler brings you a delicious beverage.
Ok, we’re not quite there with robotic house staff. But the rest of it is easy. And that’s just walking through your front door.
Choosing the Right Home Automation System
When planning to incorporate a smart home automation system it is worth starting at the end. What are you trying to achieve? What are your requirements?
If you’re just after a little bit of mood-setting, controlling via Alexa and turning off lights that your teenage children are forever leaving on, you might consider RF Lightwave. RF Lightwave are a great retrofit solution as their USP is that one just replaces switches and accessories that are already in place without the need for altering the hard wiring (or plumbing, they also do heating controls).
If you’re planning a new build or full renovation, the kind of project with an architect involved, you might consider RAKO or Lutron. These are seamlessly integrated with all building management and home entertainment systems you might install and are infinitely programmable to fine-tune your environment.
Understanding the Installation Process
The installation scale is in tandem with the amount of home automation being integrated. As mentioned above, if adding RF Lightwave to your home, swapping out a few switches and sockets, or adding a hub onto your home wifi network you’re away. It might be that a couple of the switch positions have to be made a little larger depending on the switch being installed, but a skilled electrician could do that without requiring any further making good. If integrating the likes of Lutron or RAKO, there might be some worthwhile alterations to your fixed wiring to fully benefit from the integration, which could entail some follow-up redecoration. As mentioned above, well worth knowing what the end is supposed to look like whilst still at the beginning. The sooner Pretty Wired are involved with your home automation installation, the smoother it will run.
Integrating Smart Devices for Maximum Efficiency
Efficiency means different things to different folks. If you are in the energy efficiency camp, your automated smart home can monitor your energy usage and act accordingly; not just your heating, but your lights and your appliances too. If however, efficiency is how much your time is worth, automation can help there too, by cutting down how much time is spent wandering around, opening and closing curtains and blinds, turning on and off or dimming lights, balancing your Thermostatic Radiator Valves, when your home could just ‘be’.
The Importance of Professional Installation
First things first, the cost of your smart home automation should be limited to the materials and the labour time; it will generally mean altering electrotechnical systems of up to 1000 volts AC and/or 1500 volts DC, to work on which one must be trained, qualified, experienced and competent. To comply with building regulations the works should be fully certified. Furthermore, it should simply work, which an ad hoc installer may not be able to guarantee.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting After Installation
Some maintenance is straightforward and is as simple as changing the odd light bulb, which some homeowners are happy to do, or employing the services of an indentured handyperson for such small tasks. With all possible planning performed, the finished home does not exist until it exists, where it must be lived in. It might be that some elements of the automation, such as light levels, temperature or timings need a little nudge. Pretty Wired will provide such aftercare, which can usually be performed remotely, without requiring attendance.
Speak to a Smart Home Installer Today!
To find out more or to schedule a consultation today, contact Pretty Wired on 020 4542 1890, email us at info@prettywired.co.uk or send us a message here.
