The power socket with timer switch: a forerunner and most simple feature of home automation in one. Manually-operated adapters have been around for decades. Setting them so that the living room lamp comes on for a couple of hours in the evening makes it look like there is someone at home, even if the owners are away on holiday.
Modern home automation does that too, but it can do even more. Much more. The systems can provide numerous clever features in the most varied of areas. Scope and operation is dictated by the user’s requirements: Either the system works automatically and almost autonomously. Or the user controls the features individually and adapts them as necessary.
Home automation — it can do a lot!
The control centre is at the heart of the home automation system. The user interface can be activated via your computer and settings selected with a click of the mouse. Alternatively, it can be operated via an app for smartphones and tablet PC. Like with the app, the PC portal can also be activated remotely via the Internet.
For this purpose, some manufacturers provide encrypted connections via a chargeable portal. If you are a bit more experienced when it comes to setting up an Internet connection, you can do the encryption yourself without incurring extra costs.
Common areas in which home automation can be used:
- Heating and power supply
- Security/access control
- Light
- Shading systems
- Home electronics
- Monitoring the weather
Features from different areas can be combined in this way. For example, a thermostat (heating) can detect via a sensor that a window is open (access control) and lower the room temperature. The window can be opened automatically (access control) and closed if it starts to rain (monitoring the weather).
Reduce the cost of heating and electricity
An important function of home automation is to monitor and regulate energy consumption. This prevents energy from being wasted and allows heating phases in different rooms to be adjusted to an optimal level.
Similarly, power consumption can be effectively controlled via automatic switch on and off times. Motion detectors only switch lamps on in entrance areas when someone approaches.
Monitoring consumption is another very useful feature. Many control centres accurately reflect energy, heating and water used and provide reference values and breakdown of costs.
Clever combinations for increased security
The options for home automation when it comes to security are even more sophisticated. A window-door-contact system can combine smoke, motion and water detectors as well as automatic emergency lighting of escape routes. Not only is an acoustic signal triggered in the event of an emergency, but also an emergency call or notification. In addition, you can integrate surveillance cameras from which you can retrieve images via the Internet from your office, for example.
Image source: fotolia-86290426-Artur Marciniec
