With a wired smart home system, owners can make their home smart.
Smart home, shell, cable, networking.
A wired system is especially recommended for new construction. This way, the cables can already be laid during the shell construction phase.
One of the two types of smart home is the wired system. The cables running in the wall are not as susceptible to interference as a radio connection. The distance between the individual devices is also irrelevant, as the signal is reliably transported via the cable.
A cable system ensures a certain degree of independence. Users can combine devices from different manufacturers and do not have to pay attention to whether different wireless systems harmonize with each other.
However, the reliability and range of wired systems also come at a price. Both the laying of cables and the devices for wired systems are expensive. In addition, some flexibility is lost with the wired solution. After all, the fixed connections in the wall determine where a device can be used. Therefore, before installing, prospective customers should definitely consider which connections will be needed in which location in the future.
Those who want to retrofit a wired system have to reckon with a lot of effort. To lay the necessary cables, the do-it-yourselfer will have to tap slots or even break open the entire wall. In any case, a specialist should be responsible for the electrical installations. He also ensures that there is sufficient surge protection for the entire system.
If you are building a new house or renovating an existing one, you should consider a wired system. For more flexibility, empty tubes can be inserted into the walls as a precaution, through which additional cables can be pulled later.
Smart home, remote control
With a radio system, you can easily convert an existing house to a smart home.
There are several standards for radio systems: While some use WLAN, some devices also use other frequency ranges, for example 433 or 866 MHz. This ensures a higher radio range and lower energy consumption. Radio-operated devices can be used flexibly and operated from anywhere within the network radius. Retrofitting is no problem – with a common radio standard, communication is quickly established. The devices on offer are also cheaper than wired components.
However, there are also disadvantages with radio-controlled smart homes. The range of the radio signals is limited. If you want to send a signal through thick walls and ceilings, problems can arise. Due to the different radio frequencies, it is also important to ensure that the individual components operate on the same wavelength. Various companies are currently working on solutions to combine different radio standards. At present, however, it is difficult to combine smart home devices from different manufacturers.
Anyone who wants to retrofit an existing building and is not allowed to open up walls can rely on the cheaper wireless solution. Heating controllers or radio-controlled light bulbs are particularly suitable for this, but also surface-mounted roller shutter belt winders that can be retrofitted.
From the basement to the roof: the networked house
From home automation to smart metering, the focus is clearly on increasing home comfort. Some smart home solutions require basic training in computer programming, while others are easy to retrofit.
Lighting: switch off, dim, turn up fully – and all without a light switch
Smart home, living room, lighting,
Lighting becomes “smart” with just a little effort and can be controlled via app, for example.
Smart Home, TV, Living Colors, Lighting,
Matching backlighting to the soccer game. The system chooses the color itself.
Those who do not want to upgrade their entire house to a smart home can also set isolated accents and, for example, replace normal light switches with radio-controlled flush-mounted light switches. These wireless switches can be operated using a smartphone. So you can turn off the hallway light from anywhere or dim the lights in the room. Those who install motion detectors in hallways or stairways ensure that the light is only on when it is needed. Also on the rise: the intelligent light bulb. Simply screw it into the socket and switch it on, off or dim it via smartphone.
Lighting
A dimmer does relatively little good in the study. Bright light is not a good idea in the bedroom. And the chandelier doesn’t really come into its own in the children’s room. Lighting must be well planned so that everything shines in the right light. read more
Security: Control the alarm system on the road
With an appropriately programmed security system, the home can be monitored while on the move or automatically close open windows if it starts to rain. The resident only has to activate the various security mechanisms as soon as he leaves the house.
Smart home, motion detectors, home security,
Motion detectors provide increased convenience for smart homes. No more stumbling over stairs in the semi-dark – lights come on right from the start!
Alarm mode
Homes with wired systems can be switched to a security mode. This activates, for example, the alarm system and video surveillance as soon as something moves in the actually empty home. The app can be used to check whether the alarm system is active. A quick look into the living room is also possible from a distance.
Individual wireless security components are also relatively easy to retrofit: smoke detectors, cameras in conjunction with a door or window contact, and motion detectors with the same wireless standard can be easily installed and controlled via smartphone.
Weather detection
While surveillance cameras, motion detectors and alarm systems provide the necessary security, some smart home systems can also detect when a storm is approaching – and independently close all windows and raise blinds when the occupant is absent. In this way, neither windows nor inventory in the house are damaged. For retrofitters, sensor boxes are available that report both open windows and temperature to the smartphone. However, the occupant must then close the windows himself.
Apartment door with video system
If you replace your intercom system with a video system, you can see directly whether a representative or a friend is at the door. Some models also store the recorded images and videos – so the resident can retrieve them later. Some systems now also open the front door with the resident’s fingerprint.
Smart metering: saving money through intelligent living
Smart homes are not only safe and comfortable; smart living also brings financial benefits. Lamps that are rarely needed can be linked to motion detectors, for example. A completely automated home can be programmed to automatically lower the temperature and deactivate all appliances that are not needed when residents are absent. In addition, there are various other ways to reduce energy consumption.
Smart heating controllers
Those who upgrade their radiators with electric thermostatic valves have already taken the first step towards reducing their energy consumption. The heating controllers can be set so that, for example, it is cozy and warm in the bathroom in the morning, but then the heating does not run at full blast for the rest of the day. More expensive thermostatic valves can also be controlled remotely. This means that the heating can be deactivated or activated from work. Valves with window sensors automatically turn down the radiator when the window is open.
Heating controllers are available for wired systems, but heating systems can also be retrofitted to become smart with the help of a wireless solution. Heating thermostats that remember heating habits are also available on the market for comparatively little money. But not only thermostats, but also entire heating systems can be controlled with the help of an app: Burning processes can be controlled and monitored via WLAN, and the respective room temperature can also be determined.
Smart home in the bedroom
There are various smart home solutions for the bedroom that offer additional comfort. They are also designed to improve and analyze sleep.
Gentle wake-up
Barely in bed, the night is already over. The alarm clock beeps shrilly, the glaring light of the ceiling lamp tears the morning muffle completely from sleep. No morning should start like that – but smart living has solutions for that, too. A smart light alarm clock or automatic blinds allow light to enter the bedroom slowly. Lamps gradually become brighter in the colors of the sunrise, and the blinds turn up step by step so that you are awakened as gently as possible. In parallel, a radio alarm clock can be switched on, slowly getting louder and providing background music.