Automation is a word with multiple meanings. Home automation makes no exception, as each of us will perceive it in his own, particular way. For example, if I never had motorized blinds before, I’d be thrilled to be able to move them up and down with the remote control buttons. Gadget addicted people may find this not enough and they would like their blinds to act at the impulse of a thought. This may not yet be possible, but let’s take a glimpse into the modern technology and its limits when it comes to home automation:

Sensors

Sensors are an important part of a fully automated system which you can set and forget, because they capture information from the environment, then send it to the motor, which then operates the parts that need to move, in order to achieve what’s required. Speaking of window treatments, we can think of the following types of sensors:

• Daylight sensors: they would permanently measure the light intensity, and when it reaches certain levels, they would send a command to the “brain” of the system, which would make the blinds open or close, depending on the threshold that’s being reached by the light amount entering the room
• Wind sensors: the scientific term for these sensors is anemometers. In case your house is in an area that’s exposed to storms, having this type of automation would allow you to get a better protection for your windows, as the storm shutters could be commanded by a system based on such wind sensors. Even if you’re at home, if you have too many windows, you may simply not have enough time to prepare all of them in time before the wind strikes.
• Sun sensors: they could help you never get your conservatory heated like hell again during summer afternoons, when you’re not at home, but you forgot to close the blinds.
• Timing sensors: if you need to let light to enter a room only between certain hours, you can easily have this controlled automatically with timers that would operate the blinds system only at defined intervals of time. This option can be useful in homes with children, in order to prevent the naughty kids to raise the blinds at night.

Motors

Motors are the ones that actually do all the work, after they get instructions from the sensors, via the brain of the system. In case of window blinds, tubular motors are one of the most popular choices, because they can be very well incorporated inside the headrail of the blind. Somfy is a brand that many well-known window treatments manufacturers use for their electric blinds models. Actually, Somfy does more than simply providing the motors: it offers integrated automation systems for homes. Being very concerned in maintaining a high standard, they use only high-quality materials for their products. They are so certain of their products durability that they can afford to offer 5 year warranty on all sensors, motors and controls.

Remote Controls

A home automation system can do without a remote control, but that wouldn’t be so spectacular. Such systems come with wiring which has to be hidden inside the walls, thus creating a lot of troubles and additional work. Besides, it’s more convenient to sit on your sofa and touch a button on the remote than stand up and go operate a switch on the wall. However, there are situations when buttons on a wall are better such as in hospitals, where ill people might lose the remote.

Speaking of remotes, the most frequent case is that they are supplied as a kit with the motor, so you don’t have to worry too much about operational details.

Tags: anemometers, battery operated, conservatory blinds, daylight sensors, electric window treatments, motorized blinds, remote controls, Somfy motors, time sensors, wind sensors

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