Have you ever experienced arriving at your mountain second home and feeling like you’re at the North Pole? Or entering your holiday house by the sea and feeling like stepping into an oven? Or even worse, discovering that there have been unwanted visitors in your absence? If you own a second residence, no matter where it is located, home automation will transform it into a haven of well-being even before your arrival!
Definition of home automation
If you haven’t yet entered the world of home automation, don’t worry! We will give you a brief introduction to this revolutionary technology and explain how it works.
Home automation for your second home
Home automation is the application of advanced technologies to automate and control the systems and appliances in a home. Through the use of sensors, actuators and wireless connections, home automation allows you to intelligently manage lighting, heating or cooling, security and many other aspects of your second home. Therefore, you can set the desired temperature in your home before you even get there.
The basis of home automation is a central server that connects all devices and sensors in your home. This server acts as the brain of the system, enabling communication and control between the various devices. It also allows you to manage all your home automation devices in a centralised manner.
One app for all the functions of your holiday home
Through the use of special applications or software, you can also manage the home automation of your holiday home remotely, using a single app. This you can install on a smartphone, tablet or computer. So you can manage and monitor your home systems even when you are not present, giving you greater flexibility and convenience.
Home automation can also be customised according to your needs and preferences. You can even create pre-set scenarios, such as ‘’Coming Home‘’ or ‘’Leaving Home‘’. This means that with one simple click you can activate a series of linked actions, such as switching lights on/off, adjusting the temperature and opening/closing shutters. Furthermore, you can integrate home automation with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant, allowing you to control and manage your home simply with voice commands.
To summarise, home automation is an innovative technology that turns any home into a Smart Home that will be smarter, more efficient, more comfortable and safer. Now that you have a basic overview of home automation and how it works, we will explore how home automation can transform your holiday house by the sea or in the mountains into a cosy and comfortable oasis.
Remote management of your holiday home
One of the most exciting features of home automation for your second home at the seaside or in the mountains is the ability to manage it remotely. You can control the comfort and practical aspects of your holiday home even when you are away, simply by using your smartphone or computer.
Heating, cooling, security and comfort for your holiday house
One of the main functions you can manage remotely is the heating and cooling of your holiday house. Whether you are planning a weekend at the beach or a skiing holiday, you can set the desired temperature in advance. Before you even arrive, switch on the heating or air conditioning to find the house perfectly air-conditioned to welcome you.
But remote control doesn’t stop at heating and cooling! With home automation, you can manage a wide range of aspects of your second home. Here are some examples:
1. Lighting management
Switch lights on or off remotely to create the perfect atmosphere. This function can be useful both to create soft lighting when you arrive and to simulate your presence even when you are away.
2. Security management with video monitoring
Thanks to the security cameras connected to the home automation system, you can remotely control real-time images of your holiday house. You will feel safer and be able to monitor any suspicious activity. Read more below.
3. Access control
With home automation, you can control and manage access to your second home remotely. For example, you can unlock your security door with an electronic lock to allow a guest access. You also have the possibility of assigning real-time access credentials to family members, friends or a domestic worker, who can enter the house without necessarily having keys (e.g. via a keypad).
4. Automation of blinds and shutters
Open or close blinds and roller shutters automatically to regulate natural light and prepare your holiday home for your arrival.
All these features are accessible via a dedicated application on your smartphone, tablet or PC. One click is all it takes to manage your home remotely and customise the experience according to your preferences.
5. Energy savings
Remote management not only offers comfort and convenience, but can also contribute to greater energy savings. You can programme your heating or cooling devices to switch on and off automatically, so that they only come on when needed. In this way you can eliminate energy waste, increase comfort at your arrival and maximise savings.
Home automation offers an exciting opportunity to transform your second home into a haven of comfort and efficiency. By integrating a home automation system, you open the doors to a world of modern and intelligent possibilities.
Remote security and peace of mind for your second home
If the security of your home is one of your main concerns, with home automation you can rest easy even when you are away: home automation offers you advanced tools for monitoring and protecting your home. Find out in detail how:
Video surveillance systems
Video surveillance systems are a great way to protect your home. By installing security cameras connected to your home automation system, you can monitor what is happening inside and outside your home in real time. This can be done directly from your mobile device or computer and allows you to keep an eye on your home even when you are away. You can check if everything is quiet, check for unwanted guests or simply get an overview of your home at any time.
Alarm systems
In addition, home automation allows you to set customised alarms and notifications to protect your holiday home. You can receive alerts on your smartphone or by e-mail in case of suspicious movements or abnormal activity. If an intruder is detected, the alarm system will activate sound or light signals to deter and alert you immediately. This gives you the opportunity to act quickly and take necessary action, for example by contacting the relevant authorities or requesting the assistance of a trusted neighbour.
Deterrence scenarios
In addition to the scenarios we talked about above, such as the ‘’Arriving Home‘’ or ‘’Leaving Home‘’, we can also create a deterrence scenario: when a motion sensor detects a presence around the house or near a door or window, a scenario is automatically triggered that simulates the presence of people inside the house.
The presence simulation scenario, for example, turns on some lights inside and outside the house, raises a blind or moves a curtain and plays TV or radio noises. Therefore, potential burglars are deterred and the property is less vulnerable.
Deterrence scenarios, or presence simulation scenarios, can also be programmed and activated at certain times during the day. In this way, your second home appears to be inhabited even when you are not there and, thanks to home automation, can protect itself.
Sensors and detectors
In addition to video monitoring and alarms, home automation can also integrate other security devices, such as motion sensors, smoke, gas and water leakage detectors, and door and window sensors. All these components communicate with each other to ensure maximum security for your home.
Conclusion
Home automation provides you with security and peace of mind even when you are far away, allowing you to enjoy your home in the mountains or at the seaside in complete serenity. It doesn’t matter if you are tens or thousands of kilometres away, because thanks to advanced home automation technology you will always be in control of your home. You can protect, monitor and manage your second home remotely even from your smartphone, creating a cosy atmosphere and living environment for the time of your arrival.
