According to techopedia.com, “A home automation system is a technological solution that enables automating the bulk of electronic, electrical and technology-based tasks within a home.” What does this means exactly?
A home automation system is a centralized system that manages a house’s appliances and apparatus, whether they are situated inside or outside, with the aim of improving the house and the life of the homeowner(s). For example, a house that has its security system, heating and lighting all controlled from the same interface would be said to be automated; it is also sometimes called a ‘smart home’.
Home automation includes the centralized management of the following: heating and air conditioning, security systems (such as alarm system, fire and flood prevention, etc.), lighting, automation and control of certain apparatus such as windows, garage doors, locks, etc., and multimedia devices. All those systems have to be controlled from the same interface, generally via an application on your smart phone, tablet or a computer.
There are many benefits to home automation. Firstly, it can give you peace of mind when you are out of the house, for example by protecting your house against flooding or by letting you remotely control a security camera. Home automation can make your house more comfortable, by giving you the option to remotely increase the temperature for your return home. It can be used to reduce your energy costs and your carbon footprint, by regulating your heating, air conditioning or even your blinds according to the weather outside. Finally, home automation can be used to increase the autonomy and security of older people or disabled people when they are at home.