Home Automation

Home automation is smart––a smart home that is. No longer is controlling the devices in your home from afar a science-fiction scenario. Today, with a Wi-Fi connection and your smartphone, tablet, or computer, you can be in Paris and instruct your East Lansing, MI, window shades to open or your air conditioner to shut down. Home automation, or a smart home, is connecting to home devices from an offsite location and controlling them via voice commands or a button. In turn, these devices can send you information and, in some cases, communicate with one another.

Are All Home Automation Systems The Same?

There are varying levels of communication and accompanying costs with each level. For simpler devices, like turning on or off a lamp, the costs are lower. But once the level of communication becomes more complicated, say for outdoor security cameras, the amount of time and money invested increases. To speak with a qualified expert on the various communication levels, along with their associated costs in time and money, call North Winds Heating & Cooling, and we would be happy to sit down with you to discuss what’s available in home automation for your home.

Home platforms, also called ecosystems, are the nucleus of home automation. Some home platforms are simple and require only a purchase of the platform itself and Wi-Fi to get started. Other platforms or ecosystems are more complex and charge a monthly fee for access to their app or software. These are all factors to consider when exploring this technology.

Home Automation Is A Growing Industry

Home automation is comprised of a variety of products, integrating into its platforms. This field is expanding by leaps and bounds. In 2015, the home automation market was worth approximately $5.77 billion U.S., and by 2020, experts are predicting its worth will rocket to over $10 billion U.S. Here are some of the primary categories where you can find multiple products to integrate into every room of your smart home:

• Hubs and controllers
• Heating and cooling
• Lighting
• Locks/home security systems
• Outdoors
• Cleaning
• Cooking
• Surveillance cameras

Automate Your Home

Call North Winds Heating & Cooling at 517-225-3430 for an explanation of how home automation works within each of these categories. A smart home’s purpose is to make life easier for its homeowners. Make life easier on yourself and call today to get started.