Home automation is all technical electronics, building physics, automation, IT and telecommunications used in buildings, more or less “interoperable” and to centralize the control of different systems and subsystems of the home and business (heating, shutters, garage doors, entrance, electrical outlets, etc.. portal). Home automation is to provide technical solutions to meet the needs of comfort (energy management, optimization of lighting and heating), security (alarm) and communication (remote controls, video or audio signals, etc.. ) that can be found in homes, hotels, public places, etc..
[One_half] What is Home Automation?Home automation can:
increase your independence and allow you greater management of your living environment;
help you communicate with your family;
save you time and effort;
increase your personal safety;
reduce your heating and cooling;
increase the energy efficiency of your home;
warn you audible and visual way in an emergency;
allow you to monitor your home while you are away.
The three main components of a home automation system
the control system (such as a computer, a security system or a telephone number);
the device receiving a command (such as a lamp or a heater);
the interface, namely the link between the user and the apparatus. It may include, among other things, a button, a keyboard or a motion detector. For example, a thermostat with a computer chip can be set by an interface through as a command button, which sends a signal to the heater to change the temperature at different times of day and night.
The lamps at the entrance of your home can turn on automatically when you open the door to go out to illuminate your path, a benefit for everyone, but especially for people with limited vision. Motion sensors activate lighting devices are especially useful for people with limited mobility or physical disability because it is not necessary to trigger the switch manually.
You can even manage and adjust the speed at which the light intensity increases when you enter a room with a programmable dimmer with motion detectors. This feature is particularly important for people who are visually impaired or elderly people whose eyes adapt more slowly to changes in lighting. It is also a great safety feature, since it avoids entering a dark room.
Computer systems can be programmed to handle all of your home lighting system by creating different lighting zones in a room or a selection of ambient lighting scenarios which follow in turn.
TV & Home Entertainment
Home automation allows you to manage devices such as the TV, satellite dishes and the stereo from anywhere, simply by using a remote control.
Security
Security companies monitoring homes offer many years of home security systems for a monthly fee. Also available are computerized home security that inform you directly about problems in your home. This type of system must be installed by a professional, but it is really profitable because there is no monitoring fees.
A security system offers many options. It allows you to manage many devices as you want. It can send a signal to the police or a security company if a window was broken. It can even be set to turn off the lights, lock the doors and turn down the thermostat when you go to bed.
If a problem or an unusual event occurs in your home, such as a leaky pipe or a person who opened the door, the security system can send a message to notify you.
Home automation allows you to better manage your environment and increase your level of autonomy. In addition, it can lead to cost savings and increased energy efficiency.
Heating and Air Conditioning
Programmable thermostats have a computer chip can adjust the heating and cooling so that they only work when necessary. This setting reduces the energy consumption and cost. You can program the thermostat to boot the system just before you get out of bed in the morning, he stops when you leave for work and he just restarts before you return home. See the sheet CMHC Collection “Your House” Programmable thermostats for more information.
The installation of programmable thermostats in different rooms of your home allows you to create various areas will be heated or cooled when occupied.
Some technologies even allow you to communicate by phone with your home computer system to check the temperature and change the thermostat using the telephone keypad.
Phones
The phone is not only used to communicate with the outside world. It can be used to communicate with a visitor at the front door and can even be programmed to unlock the door to let him enter. This is particularly useful for people receiving home visits from caregivers or attendants. Be able to communicate with the visitor at the door and identified from any room of the house is an important element for all, but especially for people with visual impairments who may be unable to identify the visitor at the door.
Some phones can be programmed to sound a ringing tone when a visitor presses the button of the doorbell or intercom. If you’re on the phone, you will hear a single tone waiting.
Programmable phones are very valuable because they can record the phone numbers of people you often and call emergency numbers. This is especially important for people with disabilities who have difficulty to dial quickly and accurately. Some of these phones even respond to voice commands. Wireless handsets offer even more possibilities.