Do-it-yourself Home Automation
A huge variety of commercial home automation products are available today, such as robots and other devices that can perform common household tasks. These devices make the lives of the owners very comfortable and convenient but are quite expensive. If you’re looking for automation to control your home’s heating, lights and other appliances, you do have other affordable options.
Reasons for Considering Home Automation
If all of your family members are working and if you’re frequently short of time then automating regular tasks can gain you back valuable minutes. Some methods of automation–such as dishwashers, laundry machines, programmable home thermostats, coffee makers and even automated bill payments–have become so ubiquitous that people take them for granted. But actually these devices are also a part of automation technology. Imagine how much time will be taken to wash all of your clothes by hand.
Using Motion Sensors
Motion sensors can be used to control indoor and outdoor lights in your home. When someone passes through their range of detection, they turn the lights on and then turn lights off again after a defined amount of time. This reduces possibility of an injury due to tripping or falling in the dark. An outdoor motion sensor deters nighttime theft or vandalism when the light shines on any would-be thieves, hence providing safety. These sensors lower your electric bills by reducing the energy consumption.
Using Appliance and Light Timers
A timer is a device as simple as a power toggle controlled with a slowly rotating dial that triggers an on-off switch. These timers attach to a power outlet between the outlet and an appliance cord. When the dial rotates to a preset position, it completes a circuit between the wall socket and the appliance’s plug to turn it on. As it continues to rotate to another position, the circuit breaks and the appliance ceases to receive power.
Software for Your Home Computer
Various softwares are available in the market which can convert your home computer to a control center for home appliances. Linux is an open-source application under development which can be used for Linux-based operating systems. X10 home automation system uses Windows to control lights and appliances around your home–it can even open your curtains at a certain time.
Hardware for Computer-Controlled Home Automation
It is necessary that home automation program should be compatible with hardware. Automation systems based on Insteon, X10 and Z-Wave technologies work with specially designed hardware that you can buy as starter kits and add-on packages. If you are purchasing or installing a third-party program to communicate with your automation hardware, check the program’s compatibility to ensure it will work with your devices.
