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The advanced world of home automation
The word home automation is closely related to what a smart home is, and it has been around for a decade now in many homes.
Although it is true that many do not know it very well, it is because there is a lot of ignorance about what it takes to have an automated home.
"The word home automation comes from the Latin domus which means house, and from the Greek tica which means that it works by itself".
In general, home automation requires an internet connection. But it also requires knowing where to start to design a domotic home, the home automation that suits you best and how much you need to invest to do so.
But you may wonder what is home automation ? Home automation consists of the automation of a space or a home in an intelligent way. The home automation system is usually composed of an operations center, which has the function of collecting data from any object / device that is previously connected to the internet.
For example, it could be a household appliance, a light point, any air conditioning or ventilation equipment. These teams must be able to process and issue orders that automate orders already established. In this way they contribute to the improvement of people's lives in their own home.
Home automation systems can be controlled comfortably by any electronic device such as a tablet, computer or mobile phone.
This gives the user the opportunity to program different scenarios that can be adjusted to their requirements, such as having control of domestic tasks remotely and even programming them automatically using a home automation central.
Home automation operation
Home automation is automating and having control of your own home, so you require various devices that are part of that home automation system. The common thing is to have a Wi-Fi network that communicates with each other and also involves the user.
There are terminals that are generally devices that illuminate or points of light, household appliances, equipment for air conditioning and ventilating the house, blinds or awnings and any equipment that is capable of following instructions through an algorithm or program that is previously established by the same user, and that in addition, can be modified according to the interests of the user.
With this there is no doubt that home automation optimizes people's quality of life, reducing domestic work, increasing well-being and safety, and rationalizing energy consumption.
Energy saving through home automation
According to the IDAE (Institute for Diversification and Energy Saving), home automation systems allow the reduction of electricity, fuel and water consumption. Which is evidenced in economics, and therefore, in energy consumption savings.
With the home automation system, the user can more efficiently manage various areas of a home such as air conditioning, lighting, sanitary water temperature, irrigation, among other things. This uses the lowest cost hourly rates and reducing energy consumption.
"Saving energy is one of the main advantages of home automation."
Through the system to monitor consumption, the user will have greater awareness of the energy they are consuming at home, since thanks to the home automation system they will have access to all the data to make adjustments in their habits and optimize both savings and efficiency of home.
Air conditioning through home automation
Air conditioning is one of the applications that are given to home automation, this reports a lot of comfort within the home and makes it possible for the user to control the air conditioning equipment and ventilation systems through a mobile device.
"A smart thermostat is a good home automation measure to take."
Due to the system to regulate the heating automatically, the house can be adapted taking into account the external temperature, the time of day, the area of the house and the presence of other people.
On the other hand, the automatic and intelligent control of awnings, blinds and curtains in the home makes it possible to obtain the maximum benefit from solar energy.
A home automation system is capable of detecting the opening and closing of windows, they notify users that if there are windows open when the air conditioning has been activated.
Main features of home automation
Communication between users and the system is direct.
The system collects data through objects, processes them, and then issues orders that users have already determined.
Its integration is carried out through internal and external communication networks, both wired and wireless.
The user can have control both inside and outside the home.
The connections it uses are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, among others, in order to domotize objects in the house.
Home automation, also known as smart home, is oriented towards people's comfort.
It is very flexible and capable of adding new functions.
It can be reprogrammed and allow the modification of activities and their operation.
It is compatible with information formats and adapts the system to the various modes in which signals can be sent.
Interaction between the various devices can be done via USB and bluetooth, and data networks are commonly those of Wi-Fi.
Advantages of home automation
One of the best advantages is that it contributes to optimizing people's quality of life. This is evidenced in energy savings due to the costs of water, gas, lighting, air conditioning, which are considerably reduced by taking advantage of the less costly schedules.
Accessibility is optimized because the management of the elements of the house is facilitated, even for those who have any difficulty.
"Technological artifacts are devices designed to meet the needs of users."
Home automation systems represent an advance in terms of security through surveillance and security systems, and ensures communications based on the monitoring and supervision of technological devices.
Architecture and elements of home automation
According to the functions and needs, they have three different types of architectures :
Centralized architecture : where the centralized control receives the data from various sensors, and after processing, issues the orders.
Distributed architecture : The intelligence of the system is distributed throughout the elements, both sensors and actuators. It is commonly used in bus cabling systems and wireless networks.
Mixed architecture : they are systems with decentralized architecture that have small devices that acquire and process the data from various sensors and transmit them to the rest of the devices in the house.
As for the elements, the most basic and essential in a home automation house are the following:
Central management.
Sensors, controllers and actuators.
Communication supports.
Terminal devices.
Sensors are devices that are responsible for measuring what you want to control, such as light, temperature. The controller is the one to say what to do based on what the sensors measure. The actuators are responsible for modifying or varying what is being controlled.
The systems have methods defined in the controller to allow the adaptation of the intelligence of the house to our needs or tastes both locally and remotely.
This can be done from devices such as a computer, smartphone or tablet.
Examples of home automation systems
Lighting control systems.
Intruder alarm systems.
Air conditioning control systems.
Check the operation of the blinds and awnings.
Manage money and bank accounts of users.
Distribute the video images that are captured by the cameras.
Be able to make inquiries about food and diets.
Be able to transmit voice and information through the local networks.
Ability to open and close both doors and windows.
Watering system for the gardens of the house.
Technical alarms for home security.
Turn on / off household appliances.
Water and gas service to the house.
Carry out various procedures with the state administration.
Facilitate entertainment in game rooms or home theater.
Simulate the presence of people as a security tool.
Have access to various sources of information such as books, newspapers or weather information.
Send notifications to users before the arrival of third parties to the house or if there is any type of threat.
Automation of multiple activities within the home.
Schedule activities for hours or days, especially when users are not at home.
Home automation in household appliances
The most basic household appliances can be automated. Such as washers, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, microwaves, etc. There are devices that can be connected through Wi-Fi and that you can connect through your mobile. Some Samsung models (Crystal Blue washing machine), Candy (stainless steel dishwasher) June for ovens are some already known, although they have not generated as much impact in the market.
As for the refrigerator, it is far from other appliances because it must work 24/7. It is considered one of the most advanced applications in terms of home automation.
"Although home automation is not present 100% in people's homes today, everything indicates that the time will come when it will."
In fact, there are already refrigerators where you can already connect online and buy food, even it can do it in an automated way for the user. You can also access social networks through them.
There are houses that have been partially automated, but due to their high cost, the presence of domotic equipment and systems in people's homes has been slowing down.
