What is Home Automation System and How it Works

What is Home Automation System, its Functions, and How it Works

Home Automation System: Why and How to Install it in Your Home?

A home automation system brings together different techniques to control, program, and automate a home. In recent years, home automation has invaded more and more homes. But what does a home automation system really consist of, what is its role and functions, and how do you install it in your home? This is what we will explain in detail in this article!

 

What is a home automation system?

Home automation can be defined as the set of techniques that centralize the control of different devices in the house or in a building. More precisely, home automation thus brings together the different techniques for controlling, programming, and automating a home. It brings together the fields of electronics, IT, telecommunications, and automation.

For example, thanks to home automation, you can program most of the appliances and electrical devices in your home, whether they are lighting, heating, audiovisual equipment, and appliances, or even window opening.

In other words, a home automation system is the set of information and telecommunications electronics technologies used in homes that aim to provide security, comfort, energy management, and communication functions.

What are the 5 functions of home automation?

Home Automation ensures multiple automatic functions and is reasoned in your home. These functions combine control, comfort, security, energy-saving, and communication. These are thus integrated and managed by a single intelligent technology that adapts to your needs.

Precisely, to best meet our needs, home automation must be able to manage 5 essential and essential functions: lighting, temperature, security, energy, and remote control.

 

1. Lighting

Lighting control is one of the key elements of home automation. Home automation lighting effectively improves the comfort of residents because it allows you to create pre-programmed lighting atmospheres but also to reduce your electricity bill since your energy consumption will automatically be reduced. The light in unoccupied rooms will be effectively switched off by the system.

In other words, you can centralize all your lights on the remote control or on a control box. No need to go back and forth to switches to turn a light on or off. Home automation lighting allows you to save energy. The investment in a home automation system will quickly pay for itself by the savings made on your electricity bills.

 

2. Temperature

The second area where home automation can greatly simplify your life is temperature. Indeed, thanks to home automation, you can enjoy smarter heating, much more advanced than a simple thermostat. The heating home automation system makes it possible to program the start-up and the temperature of the electric radiators according to pre-established scenarios and by device thanks to the central control.

Currently, some radiators are equipped with sensors that detect the presence and opening of windows. Some installations are even equipped with regulators smart enough to define by learning the best conditions that will ensure optimal comfort.

You are probably wondering what are the advantages of home automation heating. Know that it will already allow you to improve the thermal comfort of your home by allowing you to regulate the operation of your heating. Plus, you can be sure you’re saving money on your energy bill. Thanks to home automation, you can interact with central heating, auxiliary heating, the heat pump, and your other heating equipment.

 

3. Security

Another popular home automation application is smart home security. Indeed, many hesitate to go on vacation without worrying about the safety of their accommodation. But with home automation, you can leave with complete peace of mind. Why? Because home automation allows you to simulate a presence at your home to avoid intrusions. Thus, the lighting and the opening and closing of the shutters will be managed as if you are at home, while you are sunbathing at the beach!

For example, if ever an individual breaks into your home, or if a danger is detected, then a home automation alarm will be triggered automatically. The system will also send a silent signal to the security company to alert them of the home invasion or danger. In addition, home automation can also initiate emergency measures if necessary. For example, if a flood is detected then the water supply will be automatically cut off.

Home automation thus allows you to make your home as secure as possible thanks to various systems, in particular alarms and automation. Concretely, the home automation system will improve the security of your home by integrating different systems such as sensors, alarms, video door entry units, and connected locks.

 

4. Energy

As we pointed out to you previously, home automation solutions allow you to better manage your energy consumption, which will allow you to achieve significant energy savings. By opting for a home automation system, you will reduce your electricity consumption in heating and air conditioning ( heat pump ), lighting, and for the operation of most of your electrical devices.

You thus avoid a lot of wasted energy thanks to programming and automation. Thanks to home automation, you can control your consumption of electricity, water, and gas. More precisely, home automation would make it possible to save on average between 10 and 40% on the energy bill.

 

5. Remote Control

Control your house remotely? Is this science fiction? Well no. This is already available nowadays and you can even take advantage of it right now. The evolution of technology has effectively increased the potential of home automation by now allowing you to control your home even when you are not inside. Whether you are at work, on vacation or on a stroll outside, you can control your home from anywhere just by connecting to a PC, tablet or smartphone.

You will be able to close all the shutters of your house with the press of a single button or an application. The control unit, in other words, the box that connects all the elements of the house, serves as a receiver and constitutes the nerve center of home automation. It is via this central that you can perform actions automatically, and remotely.

 

What are the elements that make up a home automation system?

You should know that the home automation system consists of a wired or wireless network, the home automation box, sensors, actuators, not to mention, elements of the house to be automated. If you have a connected homework project, here is the equipment you need to buy.

 

Wired or Wireless Network

We must indeed make the difference between wired home automation and wireless home automation. The wired home automation implies a convergence of all electrical departures to the central switchboard. This central panel has several elements such as a power circuit that connects different loads to the control circuit. This technology is both stable and secure and although the distance between devices is great, it will not be a problem. In addition, wired home automation does not emit any waves and does not require changing the battery.

Wireless home automation integrates different technologies and protocols such as infrared, WiFi, or radio waves. This wireless home automation system is a scalable installation that makes it easy to equip a smart home without doing heavy work. Wireless can also be adapted to your current installation and offers simplification of cables and allows secure data transmission. Wireless home automation provides communication comfort and its price is relatively affordable depending on the brand and the product you choose.

One of the best home automation solutions of the moment is based on the Z-Wave Plus WiFi radio protocol.

 

The Home Automation Box: Transmitter Module

Home automation works like a circuit made up of several essential components. A central computer is linked to the transmitter, detector, and receiver modules. The transmitter module receives and transmits the commands from the central computer to the receiver module. Depending on the home automation system you have chosen, the home automation box can also act as a controller.

 

Sensors: Detector Modules

Sensors are various recognition devices. These sensors detect information and send it to the pilot who, in turn, will trigger the reactions of the actuators. These sensors can be cameras, microphones, or even various measurement tools. They can thus be logical, physical or chemical analog, digital, digital, or, finally, biometric.

The detector module contributes to the security of the house. This module detects unusual events, for example, intrusions, incidents in the house, and transmits this information to the central computer.

 

Actuators: Receiver Modules

Actuators are the devices that receive commands from the pilot device. They can thus turn on or off the devices concerned and are the apparent manifestation of home automation. Receiver modules plug into an electrical outlet. They receive plugs from household appliances and perform tasks.

 

The elements of the house to be automated

Home automation systems can be grouped into four categories: openings, security, entertainment, and energy saving. The openings bring together the roller shutters, the gates, and the garage door. Security includes fire alarms and extinguishing in particular. Entertainment is the devices to be operated by voice commands such as television, consoles, etc. Finally, energy saving regulates heating and lighting issues.

 

What are the main electronics brands specializing in home automation?

There are many brands of electronics offering connected home automation solution equipment. We have selected the best that offer quality products. Among the most popular brands are Apple, Castorama, CPL, Delta Dore, Google and Google Home, KNX, Lenovo, Leroy Merlin, Logitech, Microsoft, Philips, and Philips hue, RTS, Samsung, Sony, Technologie, Toshiba, Vmc, Rexel and Zigbee.

 

What is the cost of a Home Automation System?

The price of a home automation system varies from 5,000 euros to 20,000 euros depending on the home automation system of your choice. Note that the installation of a home automation alarm is also around 5,000 euros. The cost of installing a demonized electric roller shutter also varies from 230 euros to 270 euros. Also count around 500 euros for 10 switches in a home automation lighting network, and around 400 euros, the price of automated gates.

The automated garage door also varies by structure. The assembly of a steel door varies between 300 and 4,000 euros, an aluminum model is estimated between 300 to 4,500 euros, PVC doors are accessible from 250 euros, and a domotized wooden garage door costs 700 to 3,000 euros.

The installation of lights with a presence detector could cost you around 60 euros and, finally, know that the annual maintenance of a home automation network varies between 100 to 500 euros.

 

Also Read: Best Sports Watches