How does home automation work?

If you know what an Alexa or Google Voice is, then you know what home automation is. Most things are automated now. Whether that has to do with lights, the garage door, the A/C, or the coffee maker. Even the security system disarms automatically. This is convenient, saves energy, and money as well. But what is Home Automation and how does it work?

What Is Home Automation?

Home automation is the automatic control of electronic devices. These devices work on wifi and are able to be controlled remotely. With home automation, your devices can trigger one another. This means you do not need to control them yourself. You can even put your lights on schedules so that they turn off when you go to sleep, and have your thermostat do the same. You can even have it turned on before you return to work. It makes life easier and helps you save on heating, cooling, and electricity bills.

IoT vs. Home Automation

The Internet of Things is known as IoT. This refers to any device that’s connected to the Internet. Despite this, IoT includes everything that is connected to the internet and is a “smart” device. Therefore, if you can turn on a bulb via an app, it is an IoT device. This also makes all home automation devices IoT devices. These can be automated to trigger one another. While IoT refers to the devices themselves, home automation is what you can do with the IoT devices to make your life a bit easier.

Home automation works through a network of devices. These are all typically connected to the internet through different methods such as:

Wi-Fi
Bluetooth
ZigBee

They are always controlled through electronic interfaces, but the devices can be managed remotely. This can be done through controllers, a voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant, or even an app. Many of these IoT devices have sensors as well that monitor changes in motion, or temperature, and light.

Three Levels

Home automation works on three levels

Monitoring: By monitoring, users can check-in through the devices remotely. This is usually done through an app or a live feed. It is always done remotely.
Control: This means that the user can control these devices remotely. This is all the device can do. It might include panning a security camera to see more of the area.
Automation: Automation is the king of all smart homes. Automation means setting up devices to trigger one another. Whether this is a siren going off when a smart security camera detects motion, or when you leave the house.

Looking for a Home Automation System?

If you are considering a home automation system we can provide the opportunity for this. Some mobile applications connect directly to a router, and then others connect directly to an IoT device. Contact us today to learn about your options and how we can help get your home automated.