Retrofitting a smart home: 5 options and their combinations

smart home is controlled via system

In many places, the term smart home is still used in a futuristic or at least luxurious context, where a state-of-the-art home is designed with central control in mind. But with the development of smart home systems, these are has also become much more accessible for users. This makes it easier to upgrade to a smart home without having to carry out extensive modernization of the apartment.

In addition, a system does not mean converting all devices. The advantages of a smart home can also be limited to a selection of possible options, such as light switches or underfloor heating. In this guide, we will introduce you to the relevant options and show you the possibilities that arise from retrofitting to a smart home.

1. Retrofitting to a smart home helps save energy

tablet with a smart home app

Adapted devices such as the underfloor heating or the ceiling fan can be controlled using an app.

Convenience is perhaps the most obvious reason for a smart home system, but by no means the only one. Through the precise control over various functions You can use an app on a smartphone or tablet Increase efficiency of operations.

A high-quality smart home system can, among other things, reduce energy consumption by aligning values ​​within the house. This can be done, for example, with heating automatically turn down the temperaturewhen it detects that the windows are open. This means you can’t forget the process and no heat is released outside when you ventilate.

You don’t even have to upgrade many devices to a smart home; compatible radiator thermostats and wireless sensors on the windows are enough. Of course a smart home offers even more advantagesbut you should also find out about some disadvantages:

Advantages

  • Simplifying processes through automation and clear display.
  • Increased energy efficiency due to the adaptation of devices to one another and an overview of consumption saves gas, for example with gas boilers or heating, and electricity, for example with electric heating.
  • Improved security by controlling burglary protection or turning on the light switches while on vacation, remotely switching off forgotten devices or sending alerts to your cell phone.
  • Increasingly simpler technical implementation.

Disadvantages

  • A lack of a standard can cause compatibility problems.
  • data protection Although it has been greatly improved, there is usually still a residual risk to the data collected.

2. Product packages provide individual customization options

luxurious house with smart home

Since the necessary control devices are widely used and there are inexpensive entry-level packages for individual elements, the costs are now manageable and smart homes are no longer limited to luxury houses.

If you’re upgrading to a smart home, you can choose between one General adjustment or different Packages, which are limited to certain functions. This makes it possible gradually adapting an apartmentrather than overhauling everything at once.

  1. Roller shutter control: Roller shutters and blinds can be installed via one Actor can be controlled, which, for example, opens the blinds at a set time in the morning. Not only one can do this gentler waking up Thanks to the roller shutter control, you can also use it when you are away simulate an inhabited hometo prevent break-ins.
  2. Light control: The same applies to the control of light switches and lights in general. The lighting can be dimmed or increased according to preferred time or respond to voice commands.
  3. Temperature control: The function of the heater can linked to various conditions become. For example, underfloor heating can only be activated in the morning or respond automatically to certain temperatures. The air conditioning or ceiling fan can also be started if a certain temperature is reached.
  4. Alarm system: A Presence detector can also be used for other applications, but in terms of security it offers security in combination with a Alarm siren effective burglary protection. It can also inform you about movements via your smartphone so that you can react individually.
  5. Individual devices: Even devices that are not dependent on other states can be controlled via actuator or Switch socket Retrofit into a smart home. This allows, for example, a washing machine to be started remotely or a garage door to be opened at the entrance.

3. Multiple packages can be combined into scenarios

Accessibility

The possible voice control of the smart home allows physically disabled users more independence by carrying out operations such as opening roller shutters using voice commands.

As long as the individual packages are compatible with each other, one is allowed gradual retrofitting an always greater potential for combinations. If the elements are connected to each other via software, you can set scenarios on the control tailored to your preferences are.

For example, a simple scenario can be set when it is very hot, where the blinds are automatically darkened and the fan is activated when a set temperature is exceeded.

But also more complex scenarios are possible where the the atmosphere is in the foreground. For a cozy game evening, you can, for example, set a dimmed light, increase the temperature and play quiet music. The more packages you link together, the more complex the scenarios you can prepare.

Danger: If you buy individual packages from different manufacturers, find out beforehand about the compatibility between the devices. Since the transmission paths can differ, a system should consistently use Bluetooth, WLAN or the power line.

Image credits: stock.adobe.com/amedeoemaja, stock.adobe.com/Andrey Popov, stock.adobe.com/FrankBoston (sorted chronologically or according to the order of the images used in the buying guide)

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