Lock your front door, manage lighting and heating or improve the security of your home, home automation is now everywhere. To choose between a connected home or a smart home, we discover their characteristics.
Home automation, connected home and smart home, what are they and how much does it cost?
What is home automation?
Home automation is a set of technologies designed to make a smart and connected home. Coming from the Latin word “Domus” which means home and the computer suffix “tick”, this term refers to a set of techniques for automating a habitat in terms of safety, energy management, and communication.
What is a connected home?
The connected home is a home equipped with a home automation system to facilitate the daily life of its occupants. Therefore, using a mobile phone, a computer or a tablet, it is possible to control, on site or remotely, all the home automation devices in the home- air conditioning, heating or lighting. This type of installation saves energy by reducing the risk of burglary.
What is a smart home?
Unlike a connected home, a smart home is completely autonomous. It works through the automation of a series of equipment, also through the creation of a home automation scenario. As an extension of the connected home, it is able to anticipate behaviors for greater comfort. Therefore, it is useless to switch from one application to another, the home manages all the home automation devices.
Connected house- advantages and disadvantages
The connected house is a mix of technology and modernity. Helps to control energy expenditure, both in terms of heating, lighting, and shutters. However, this type of structure has some disadvantages.
The advantages of a connected home
The connected home offers many advantages to its occupants.
- energy saving
Taking advantage of home automation, home connected is effective in reducing the bills energy up to 40%. This technology allows, among other things, to regulate heating in each room if necessary, temperature management or thermostat programming.
- safety
With smoke and CO² detectors, the risk of fires and accidents is reduced. In addition, presence detectors or cameras report possible intrusions.
- comfort
The connected home offers an exceptional living comfort. In fact, it performs an optimal temperature adjustment during the creation of sound and light environments. In addition, it provides automation of lights, shutters, and inspection of multiple electrical outlets with a click.
The disadvantages
The connected home, however, has some disadvantages, the main one being its purchase and installation price. On the other hand, this solution creates a certain dependency on the part of the user.
The cost of a connected home
| Box or control unit | The control panel allows you to check all the programmed elements and scenarios. it can be sold individually or rented. | for units from 150 to 1,500 euros |
| Command element | The remote control to remotely control the connected elements. | From 50 to 150 euros |
| Connected power sockets and controlled radio-controlled sockets | Add lights, coffee makers and other electrical devices to the connected elements. It is therefore possible to activate the automatic lighting of the lamps upon your return. | From 5 to 50 euros |
| Motorization of shutters | The motor opens and closes the remote shutters according to your scenario. | From 70 to 400 euros |
| Motorization of shutters | The motors allow you to open and close the blinds without having to open the windows, in the event of bad weather. Time savings and guaranteed comfort! | From 300 to 500 euros |
| Motorization of the gate | Motorization that allows you to open sliding doors or gates remotely without leaving the car via a connected control unit or a remote control. | From 250 to 1,500 euros |
| Motorization garage door | The motorization allows the garage door to be opened and closed at a distance- swinging, sliding, tilting and rotating … | From 150 to 400 euros |
| Motorization of an awning | The awning can be motorized, open and closed automatically in your absence in the event of sun, rain or wind | From 250 to 500 euros |
| Thermostat | Switches the heating on and off according to the temperature detected or based on routine programs- office exit, weekend etc. | From 90 to 500 euros |
| Twilight detector | Captures the brightness and sends a signal to activate or deactivate the lighting, opening and closing the blinds and / or the shutters | From 50 to 100 euros |
| Temperature sensor | Detects internal and external temperatures to activate heating. | From 50 to 100 euros |
| Surveillance camera | Camera to visually check the inside of your home in your absence (it can be infrared for good visibility in low light conditions). | From 50 to 500 euros |
| Intrusion detector | It detects presence and movement (some cameras have a sensitivity adapted to pets). | From 100 to 300 euros |
| Opening detector | Detects window openings, entrance, service, garage doors. | From 15 to 100 euros |
| Audiosonic detector | It detects internal and external pressure. | 100 euros |
| Transmission relay | Adds an additional area that can be controlled from the control panel, increases the range of wireless elements | From 30 to 70 euros |
| Siren | The siren can be activated when a person enters your home, acts as a visual and acoustic deterrent. | From 50 to 150 euros |
| Smoke detector | Soon mandatory, these can also be coupled to the home automation station to warn you of a danger. | From 15 to 50 euros |
