Imagine waking up as your blinds slowly open just at the perfect time to start your day. You get up and your house is already set to the right temperature. You walk into the kitchen and your coffee is brewed and ready to drink. Who did all of this? You did! When you configured your smart home with home automation.
What is Home Automation?
Home automation gives you the ability to control and automate your appliances and systems in your home remotely from a mobile device. By connecting your appliances to a remote network, you can control them right from your phone/tablet, or with your voice.
Not sure if you locked the door before you left? Check your phone and assure it’s locked!
What can you automate? Plenty of things! Here are some examples:
- Security systems
- irrigation/sprinkler systems
- Interior and exterior lighting
- Appliances
- Electrical outlets
- Heating and cooling systems
- The locks on your doors
- Smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) Detectors
- And so much more
Automated lighting systems controlled by a mobile device. Change the colour and brightness of all your lights with a couple taps.
A home automation control panel. Have full control of temperature, appliances, lighting, security and more - all in one place.
What Do I Need for Home Automation?
Well firstly you need to be able to control and configure your appliances and systems- you can do so through a mobile application on your phone or tablet and/or through voice control (Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant)
Secondly, you need your appliances and systems to follow the same protocol. Think of a protocol as a language that all your appliances speak, so they are all on the same page. Common protocols include:
- Wifi
- Bluetooth
- Z-Wave
- ZigBee
- Thread
Thirdly, your appliances and systems need the ability to connect to these protocols. In other words – they need to be “smart” (smart blinds, smart locks etc). Please do not try to connect your 1990’s range stove to the network, it wont work.
Tying It All Together
Once you have your smart systems installed, on the same protocol, and connected to an application. They are ready to be put to work!
There are a couple ways to automate your home, here are a few:
Scheduled Automation:
- Have your blinds open when you usually wake up (and open a little later on weekends)
- Turn on outdoor security lights at dusk
Remote Controlled:
Remote automation is when you use an app or your voice to control your systems
- Let your home know you are coming home so it can disarm your security systems and unlock your doors
- Check to make sure you turned your heat off when you are not home
- Tell Alexa to turn on some music
Where Do I Even Start?
There are so many devices, and appliances available it might be difficult to choose what is right for you. First let’s start with answering these questions:
“What sort of lifestyle do I lead?”
“What can my automated home do to help me live this lifestyle to the fullest?”
Do you like entertaining? – Maybe you only want your lights and speakers to be automated to complete a beautiful and perfect atmosphere (RGB lights!)
Are you oftentimes away for travel or work? – You could benefit from an inter-connected security, door locking, and lighting system for that peace of mind
Have trouble waking up and getting started? – Smart blinds, smart coffee maker, and smart thermostats might save you from some drudgery in the mornings
Remember you do not need a fully automated smart home, you could start with one small automated system and you can always get more
In summary, start small, think about your needs and activities. The right system will form in your mind.
Automated sound and lighting system, great for entertaining and setting a beautiful atmospheric mood
The Next Steps
Now that you’ve figured out what sort of home automation you want, it’s time to do your research. Figure out what systems you need to purchase and install, research the different protocols you can use, talk to friends who have home automation, talk to professionals.
Remember, you do not need to do this research alone, there are professionals that have worked with home automation for years. They can help you decide what’s best for the lifestyle you lead, in addition they can install the systems for you.
in conclusion, home automation is designed to make your life more convenient, comfortable, and secure by customizing your house to fit your schedule and needs. At CBS Electrical we can help with the hardest part of home automation, the planning and installations. Talk to us today to get started with your new smart home.
CBS Electrical provides professional licensed electrical services in Victoria and Nanaimo B.C. Home automation installation is just one of our many specialty electrical services. Make sure to check out our other specialty services
- Solar Panel Installation
- In-Floor Heating
- Electric Car Charger
- Air Conditioners
- Data Cabling
- Electronic Gates
- Emergency Lighting & Backup Generators
- Fiber Optic Cabling
- Garage Doors
- Recessed Lighting
- Hot Tubs and Jacuzzis
- Landscape Lighting