A Complete Guide To Home Automation

Home automation refers to home building automation called a smart home or smart house. The home automation system will monitor and control home attributes such as lighting, climate, entertainment systems, and equipment. It may also cover home security, like access control and alarm systems. Home devices are an integral part of the Internet of Things because they are linked to the 
Internet ("IoT"). Regulated devices are typically connected to a central hub or "gateway" in home automation systems. The control system's user interface uses a wall-mounted terminal, a tablet or desktop computer, a mobile phone application, or a Web interface. These interfaces can also be accessed off-site via the Internet.

We try to answer the most frequently asked questions about home automation from Indian users.

About Home Automation

What Is The Best Home Automation System?

Best overall home automation system: Amazon Echo Plus-smart speaker with Alexa. The Amazon Echo (second generation) smart speaker with Alexa is a voice-controlled speaker connecting to smart devices in your home and creating a fully automated home. With its voice command function, it can read the news, play music and answer questions. It is also equipped with seven microphones and beamforming technology so that the device can detect your voice even when there is noise or music.

The Echo Plus uses Alexa to answer questions and read audiobooks, news stories, and sports schedules; it can play music from Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, and other services, through voice commands. So, however, you want to fill your home with music, you can do it hands-free.

What Can I Automate At Home?

These are some of the most extensively used and beneficial home automation devices.

  1.  Automatic lights. When someone enters the room, you can use the sensor to turn on the light. This is especially useful in corridors and stairs where light switches may be inconvenient.
  2.  Automatic door lock. When you arrive at home, the sensor can detect your smartphone and automatically unlock the front door or open the garage for you.
  3. Smart security cameras. Smart security cameras can automatically detect movement outside the house, notify you on your smartphone, and send you real-time images to assess the situation yourself. 
  4. Automatic blinds. The sensor can detect the room's temperature and brightness and automatically close or open the blinds to optimize the temperature and reduce your heating and cooling needs. 
  5. Automatic heating and cooling. You can program heating and cooling to automatically turn on at a specific time or temperature and automatically turn off if the sensor detects that no one is using the room.

How Does Home Automation Work?

Home automation is a system of hardware, communication, and electronic interfaces that can integrate daily equipment through the Internet. Each device has sensors and is connected via Wi-Fi, so whether you are at home or in a remote place, you can manage them via your smartphone or tablet.

The three main elements of a home automation system: sensors, controllers, and actuators.

Sensors. The sensor can monitor changes in sunlight, temperature, or motion detection. The home automation system can then adjust these settings (and more) to your liking. 

Controllers. The controller refers to a device (personal computer, tablet, or smartphone) used to send and receive messages about the status of automatic functions in the home. 

Actuators. The actuator can be a light switch, a motor, or an electric valve that controls the home automation system's actual mechanism or function. They are programmed to be activated by remote commands from the controller.

 

 

 

In India, How Much Does Home Automation Cost?

ABB Ltd sells presence sensors priced between Rs 3,500 and Rs 7,000, while timers and switching units are cheaper at Rs 2,500. ABB i-bus EIB brightness sensors that control lighting according to the ambient light in the room cost Rs 3,000. Schneider Electric has solutions that control lighting from a mobile device.

How Can I Make My House A Smart House?

Here are five things you can do to make your house smarter:

  1. Voice control. The first place on the list is the reason for talking to myself. There are many systems to choose from. The biggest names in the game are Lenovo Smart Assistant, Google Home, and Amazon Echo. They are determined to let you use voice commands to control home appliances, which will make your life easier. 
  2. Smart air conditioner. Recapture the days when your A/C had to be opened constantly, wasting all your energy (and your money)? Is that still you? Now it's time to switch to smart A/C. You can program it with your smartphone to change the temperature during the day.
  3. Control your security system. The security system is not new, but it can be controlled anywhere, which is very convenient! Using an automated system, you can restrict access to specific areas of your home. Also, even if you are not at home, you will be notified if there is a home problem.
  4.  Smart lighting. The effect of these powerful LED bulbs is far beyond your imagination. There are some basic functions; brightness control, change the color of the bulb, turn the bulb on and off, and illuminate the room with your sound. Modern technology has gone further in lighting. 
  5. Smart plug. The smart plug is effortless and is the most basic smart home product. It is not complicated, but very useful. The smart plug controlled by the app allows you to turn on and off all devices plugged into a basic wall outlet.

In the end, a "smart home" is a good idea, but it is essential to bring all the conveniences. The Internet is vulnerable to security threats, and online attackers are having a good day! If your equipment is not adequately protected, it may threaten the safety of your home.

 

What Do I Need To Make My House A Smart Home?

You will Require:

  1. A TP-Link smart plug.
  2. An Amazon Echo product.
  3. A plug-in fan with an actual power switch that can be left in the "on" position.
  4. An Android smartphone or Apple for setting up Alexa to talk to the smart plug.

 

How Do I Start Home Automation?

  1. Step 1: Determine Your Tech Level.

    Be familiar with the working principle of home automation, and then realize that some smart devices require a higher technology level than others.

    Step 2:Figure out how much money you want to spend.

    Smart devices can be found at all price points, from affordable to quite expensive, so before making any further purchases, please make sure you are satisfied with the consumption.

    Step 3: Match Your Home Automation 

    Device to Your Unique Needs. Remember, everyone is different, so the smart gadget your neighbor swears by might not be helpful to you. When selecting a smart device, consider your lifestyle. When choosing a smart device, consider your lifestyle. For example, if you are a full-time parent, you may need a smart doorbell's extra security.

    Step 4: Research Products Thoroughly before Buying.

    Once you know what home automation tools are the best fit for your tech level, budget, and lifestyle, do your research. Before purchasing a smart device, read customer opinions, buyer guides, and independent reviews.

How Do I Install Home Automation?

Installing a Standard Home Automation System include

  1. Connect the power supply. 

Most hubs are connected via AC adapters. However, some have backup batteries or rechargeable battery packs to install.

       2.Connect to the Internet.

Many hubs are connected to Internet routers via Ethernet cables. Now, some users use passwords to connect to wireless routers.

     3.Download the application.

Many newer systems can be accessed via smartphones via free apps. However, you must make some settings on the computer through a downloadable program.

   4.Create an account.

 The program or application will guide the user through a simple setup process to create an account, including a password.

 5.Add smart devices.

You will add smart devices to the hub or central monitor following the simple on-screen prompts.

 6.Setup scenes, triggers, and schedules.

A scene is a set of actions that can set to occur at a specific time. For example, bedtime scenarios might include lights going off and doors locked at 10:00 pm. Triggers can control other scenes; for example, when a motion sensor notices that the door is open, the light may turn on. 

 7.Set up alerts.

When certain events (such as door opening or movement) are detected, it can send an alert via text or email.

What Are The Three Types Of Automation?

Three types of automation can be classified as: 
(1) fixed automation, 
(2) programmable automation and
(3) flexible automation.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Home Automation?

The disadvantage of Smart Homes:

  • Cost: The biggest problem, con, or disadvantage of a smart home system is the cost. Several companies provide the smart home system, but all of them are quite expensive.
  • Dependency on the Internet: The Internet is a necessary part of the smart home system. You would not be able to control this without a secure and strong internet link. There is no other way to access and monitor your machine if you don't have access to the internet for any reason.
  • Dependency on Professionals: If there is a problem with the smart home system, you cannot simply call a handyperson or someone similar to repair or manage the bug. You will have to depend on the professionals. Only the company professionals can help you to handle the problems. A professional would be able to take care of the disadvantages of home appliances.

Is A Smart Home Worth The Money?

In many cases, the equipment's cost and installation price may be high but maybe rewarded with house resale value or energy savings over time. In other cases, an automated system's convenience and security can make it worth the first investment.

How IOT Used In Home Automation?

IoT-based home automation will enable users to use home automation systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT). Modern homes can be automated and control household appliances via the Internet. User commands on the Internet will be obtained by the Wi-Fi modem. The microcontroller has an interface with this modem. Display system status and system data through LCD. This is a typical IoT-based home automation system used to control all household appliances. As IoT devices' price drops, the public is beginning to understand the advantages of these products, and the smart home market is taking off. Starting from the smart home, the next logical step is the smart city, which will bring the IOT to a new level. On the other hand, smart houses are a small part of our everyday lives, and the Internet of Things will grow in the coming years.

What Are The Benefits Of Home Automation?

Home automation benefits are usually divided into several categories: savings, security, convenience, and control. Also, some consumers buy home automation equipment for comfort and peace of mind.

 Savings: Smart thermostats and smart light bulbs can save energy and cut utility costs over time. Some home automation technologies can also monitor water consumption, which helps prevent excessive water bills.

 

Safety:  Many home automation technologies belong to the category of home security protection. Automated lighting functions can prevent theft, and motion sensors can help people enter the door and walk in the hallway late at night. Security cameras can provide benefits by remotely monitoring package delivery or real-time video of family residents or unwanted visitors. 

 

 Convenience: Because home automation technology automatically performs rote tasks, end users will get great convenience. Many smart gadgets are compatible with each other, and you can set different triggers between devices to automate regular household processes. 

Control: Consumers also prefer smart home devices to control home functions better. With the help of home automation technology, you can know what is happening inside your home at any time. 

Comfort: Some people use smart technology to record television shows or play music for their whole family. Connected devices can also assist in creating a comfortable atmosphere-they provide smart and adaptive lighting, sound, and temperature, all of which can help create an inviting environment. 

Peace of mind: Finally, many consumers invest in home automation technology for peace of mind. Consumers purchase these products to make their homes safer. With the help of smart cameras and other technologies, new mothers can check on their little ones. Or, if you don't remember whether you closed the garage after leaving, you can use an app for remote verification.

What Smart Home System Is Best?

The best smart home devices for 2020: 

Amazon, Google, and Apple race to control your home

  • Amazon Echo (fourth-generation) The best smart speaker.
  • Google Nest Mini. The other best smart speaker. 
  • Google Nest Hub. The best smart display.
  • Amazon Echo Show 8. The best smart display for Alexa. 
  • Google Nest Wi-Fi. The best mesh router.

How To Make My Bedroom Smarter?

Smart displays, lights, smart curtains, and smart plugs can help you go to bed and be refreshed. 

Start and finish the day with smart lighting. Smart lights are very suitable for control from a comfortable bed. You can create timers, use your voice or phone to turn the timers on and off, and if you use smart light bulbs, you can dim them or change the color to a less harsh color at night. And with a few routines, you can also create a sunrise effect without buying an expensive clock.

Smart shadows can reduce light. Not only can you use your voice or phone to turn up and down the shadows, but you can also create timers and routines to take care of them for you. As part of the "good night" procedure, your routine may need to raise or lower the shadow before lifting the shadow. This is the power of smart homes. One command can handle many things. 

Consider a voice assistant with a display. You may use a voice assistant without a monitor, but the clock will be missing, and you won't be able to access or read other visual details. Sometimes, for example, reading calendar appointments is faster than listening to calendar appointments separately. Amazon offers both Echo Show and Spot, and Spot is more suitable for bedrooms. It is smaller and can imitate an alarm clock, which helps it fit your bedroom exactly.

Use smart plugs for all clumsy things. Smart plugs are also easy to set up; just plug one of them into a power outlet and then plug it into it again. You need to use the app to set it up and then connect it to Google Assistant or Alexa, but you will have phone and voice control capabilities once it's done.

Organize the bedroom. Some smart home technologies may not exist in the bedroom. While a smart thermostat will not save you money, the ease of being able to change the fixed temperature from the comfort of your bed is something you'll appreciate at three in the morning. Both Nest and Ecobee provide temperature sensors, which may help to place them in the bedroom.

What Are The Cheap Smart Home Hubs?

Cheap Smart Home Hubs

  1.  Insteon Hub Central Controller.
  2.  Samsung SmartThings Home Hub.
  3.  Insteon Remote Control Wall Thermostat.
  4.  Amazon Echo Dot Third Generation.
  5.  eufy Genie with Alexa.
  6.  Blink Home Security Camera.
  7.  EZViz Mini Wi-Fi Camera.
  8.  Sylvania Color LED Bulb.
  9.  LIFX Mini Wi-Fi Color LED Bulb
  10.  TP-Link Mini Smart Wi-Fi Plug
  11.  Wemo Wi-Fi Smart Dimmer Switch
  12.  August Bluetooth Keypad
  13.  Fire TV Stick 4K
  14.  Google Chromecast Ultra
  15.  Ring Video Doorbell

Can I Program Control 4 Myself?

If you'd like to take control over some automation tasks in the home yourself and not have to call your dealer every time you have a problem or question, use the Control4® system Composer HE (Home Edition) software customize and program your home system (sold separately). This optional software product installs on your PC.

Does The Smart Home Save Money?

Smart home devices don't just make it easier to close the garage door or protect your house. If correctly used, they can also help you save energy and money. By allowing you to control energy consumption in your home better, smart home devices can become part of an energy-saving plan.

How Do I Automate My Home On Google?

Most Android phones have Google Assistant built-in, or they can download them from the app store.

  1. Step 1: Buy A Smart Display Or A Smart Speaker.
  2. Step 2: Let's Train Google. 
  3. Step 3: Pick a Location. 
  4. Step 4: Pick Gadgets For Smart Home. 
  5. Step 5: Sync Your Smart Home. 
  6. Step 6: Manage Routines And Setup Rooms. 
  7. Step 7: Testing.

How To Use Alexa For Home Automation?

To do this, visit the Alexa app and search for the skills of each device. After you find the skill, click the "Enable" button. You may need to pair Alexa with your smart device. This can be done by saying "pair device" to Alexa, and you should be good to go.

What Does A Smart Home Mean?

 

 

Houses equipped with network-connected products (i.e., "smart products," connected via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or similar protocols) for automating, controlling, and optimizing functions such as temperature, lighting, safety, security, or entertainment, using a phone, tablet, computer, or a separate device inside the house.

Does A Smart Home Increase Value?

According to Consumer Reports, house value can increase by up to 5%; this would be $15,000 on a $300,000 house. The growing demand for smart homes from home buyers and the industry's growth may make home automation a valuable investment in the future.

Do Smart Homes Sell Faster?

According to a 2017 survey conducted by residential real estate brokerage consulting firm T3 Sixty, 40% of real estate agents believe that smart home sales are faster regardless of the price. In the past year, the sales potential of this smart house has increased by 33%. "The most appealing features in a home have always been style, protection, and comfort, but in recent years, energy efficiency has become a key consideration for millennials to search for or upgrade in their existing homes."

Is Smart Home Dangerous?

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a division of the World Health Organization (WHO), has determined that non-ionizing radiofrequency radiation (NRFR) from cell phones, laptops, household appliances, and all smart devices can ultimately put your health at risk and also the children and health of employees.

Which Sensors Are Used In Home Automation?

Here is a list of 8 sensors that you can deploy at home to ensure protection from storms.

  • Fire/CO detection. Fire is far and away from the number one cause of property damage.
  • Leak/moisture detection. If your house is in danger due to icing pipes or even broken water lines, the moisture detection sensor can keep you alert. 
  •  Door & Window open and close. When people enter and exit the house, door and window sensors warn you, and they can also switch the lights on and off when the door is opened and closed. Door and window sensors are your first line of protection against breaking in at home; some sensors can even detect when an intruder breaks into a window.
  • Video doorbell. The video doorbell acts as an anti-theft sensor. From your mobile, you can see who is at the entrance.
  •  Smart thermostat. The smart thermostat allows you to control the heating and cooling of your home from any location. Smart thermostats can cool down and help you save money by monitoring the temperature and humidity inside and outside the house. 
  • Motion sensor. The motion sensor can achieve the function you think-it can detect movement and movement in the area. These sensors will remain vigilant when you are not at home. They can remind you if there is movement in your home or if your doors and windows have been opened or closed.
  • Smart garage door. Smart garage doors connected to Wi-Fi give you peace of mind. The concept is simple but powerful-never doubt whether you open the garage door. You can open and close the garage door by phone from any location.
  • Intercom/hub.You have installed sensors to create a smart home, and now you need to manage everything from one place.

Is Alexa Better Than Google?

So Alexa is ahead of this, except for the little asterisk for "every Android phone" running Google Assistant. In general, in the past, we evaluated Alexa as a superior ecosystem. But for now, we think that Google Assistant has advantages, especially when we talk about smart speakers.

Can Alexa Watch Your House?

 

 

 

Alexa Drop-in

If you have the Amazon Echo Show with the camera turned on, you can check what's happening at home while you're away.

Is Alexa Dangerous?

You might be thinking: "As long as I can talk to Alexa in most areas of the house, does it matter where I am?" Our answer is yes. Placing the Alexa device in some regions of the house may endanger your privacy, safety and even damage your Echo.

For example, did you know that if the intruder gets too close to the Window, the intruder can access it outside? We are here to tell you where the Echo speaker should not be placed and where it is best placed.

References & Citation

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AHome_automation

 

https://wiki2.org/en/Home_automation