Modern technology offers us solutions to transform our homes into more efficient, safe and comfortable environments. If you are wondering how to make a home smart, in this article we will guide you through the main steps to upgrade an existing home, without making invasive changes, and prioritising energy saving, safety and comfort.
What home automation system is best for you?
To make your home smart, it is essential to choose the home automation system best suited to your needs. There are different brands and systems on the market, each with specific characteristics. You can inform yourself by searching for reviews and comparing the different options available online, or rely on the advice of a trusted electrician or integrator who will be able to guide you in making the best choice.
If you want to make your home smart and don’t know where to turn, talk to one of our home automation experts. He will be able to give you all the advice you need. Fill in our form to be called back.
The advantages of a multi-protocol home automation system
Compatibility between devices is essential for effective smart home management. A multi-protocol system provides flexibility and security by allowing communication between devices of different manufacturers and standards, avoiding protocol or brand constraints. It also allows the integration of additional functions over time, as your needs change.
To find out in detail what the advantages of a home automation solution with a multi-protocol server are, click here.
What skills are needed to install a home automation system?
To install a professional and reliable home automation system, several professionals and skills are needed. These professionals work together to ensure that the system is installed and works properly:
Electrician: For the part of wiring and connecting home automation devices to the electrical system.
System integrator: To coordinate the different installers, configure and programme the system according to the customer’s specific needs.
Security installer: If the system includes alarms or cameras, a security expert may be required.
Plumber: If the home automation system also includes a heating, cooling, VMC or irrigation system, a plumber will be required.
IT technician: For the configuration of the network and integration with the existing computer system, if necessary.
Companies specialising in home automation systems can provide all these integrated skills, but you can also involve professionals you trust, provided they have experience in the home automation sector..
Which aspects are the most important for making a home smart?
1. Energy saving: intelligent management of heating, cooling and consumption
- Install smart thermostats: Divide your home into thermal zones to heat or cool only the rooms actually used.
- Place temperature sensors: Monitor the indoor climate precisely to ensure maximum comfort while optimising consumption.
- Analyse energy loads: Use devices to find out which power lines consume the most and optimise the use of electrical appliances.
- Optimise consumption with photovoltaic systems: Use the energy produced during peak production hours to run household appliances or charge electric vehicles. To learn in detail how to integrate a photovoltaic system into your home automation system, read the article Photovoltaic installation and home automation.
2. Security: a smart intrusion detection system
Protecting your home has never been easier. With smart devices, you can monitor and control the safety of your home wherever you are.
- Install cameras and motion sensors: Receive real-time notifications on your smartphone.
- Integrate sensors on doors and windows: Detect intruders immediately.
- Create deterrent scenarios: In the event of an infraction or attempted infraction, not only sirens are activated, but also lighting, motors and anything else needed to deter intruders with presence simulation scenarios.
- Centralise security management: Control not only lighting, temperature and motorisation, but also the entire security system and surveillance cameras from a single application. To learn more about integrating security into a home automation system, click here.
3. Comfort: centralised management and customised scenarios
A smart home adapts to your daily needs. Creating customised scenarios and centralising functions is the secret to customised comfort.
- Manage everything from a single app: Integrate heating, cooling and ventilation into one intuitive interface, so that you can manage all the functions of your Smart Home remotely with your smartphone. If you want to integrate additional functions such as lighting, blinds or a sprinkler system into your Smart Home, you can also manage these from the same, centralised app.
- Create customised scenarios: Program actions such as ‘I’m leaving the house’ to switch off lights, turn down the heating and activate the alarm, and trigger presence simulation scenarios.
Is it better to have a Basic, Medium or Advanced home automation system?
There are different solutions for making a house smart, depending on the desired level of automation and the number and complexity of the systems you want to manage. Below are three examples of home automation systems. Consider that the solution we suggest, which provides for optimisation of energy consumption, security and a good level of comfort, can be defined as a medium home automation system.
Basic home automation system:
- Control of blinds and some lights
- Smart thermostats or smart radiator valves for temperature control for each room
- Remote management via special app
Medium home automation system:
- Automation of all lighting and electrical systems, roller shutters and sun blinds
- Motion and door/window opening sensors for security
- Advanced heating, cooling and humidity control
- Alarm system with push notifications and integrated sirens
- Overload control fora more efficient energy management
Advanced home automation system:
In addition to what is foreseen in a Medium system:
- Comprehensive lighting management with customised scenarios.
- Advanced energy control with load analysis and optimisation of the use of photovoltaic systems.
- Complete building automation (air conditioning, audio/video, irrigation, smart locks).
- Advanced security system with video surveillance and facial recognition.
- Multi-protocol integration for smooth communication between devices from different manufacturers
- Air quality and room ventilation control (VMC)
- Voice controls
- Touch screens and multifunction keypads
Is it possible to make a home smart without masonry work?
There are wireless home automation solutions, which allow peripheral devices to be connected wireless. They are only suitable for basic installations where it is difficult or impossible to run cables, and if you want to make a house smart without invasive masonry work. If you would like to learn more about the Dovit wireless home automation solution, click here.
Conclusion
Turning a traditional house into a smart home has never been easier. Starting from energy saving and safety to everyday comfort, a smart home offers tangible benefits in terms of both well-being and savings. Investing in a home automation system is a step towards a more sustainable and technologically advanced future. Moreover, on the real estate market, your home is worth more. Are you ready to take the first step?
Learn more about how the Dovit home automation solution can make your home smart!
