Home automation and “smart home” systems used to be a thing of science fiction, but developments in technology over the past few years have made it possible and, more importantly, affordable. Automation is the process of linking subsystems such as lighting, security, entertainment, windows and drapes, and appliances to computer control. Programmable thermostats and timed lighting are early examples of automation, but modern systems can be far more encompassing and advanced. Additional examples of automation can range from an air conditioner programmed to turn off when you leave the house to blinds that open or close in response to light or temperature to turning on the television or triggering an alarm with a voice command.
For the elderly or disabled, automation can dramatically improve quality of life and independence. For everyone else, it can improve convenience and modern flair.
Although the end result is a boost to convenience and value, electrical wiring for homes that are being automated is a complicated and involved process with many different steps and interaction with the home’s electrical wiring. Toronto Electrical Experts understands how to implement home automation electrical systems and uses the latest in integration techniques to provide the services needed to meet your smart home vision.
Specialized Home Automation Electrical Services
Automation calls for many devices to be hardwired into your home’s electrical system. Our licensed electricians will begin by assessing the system and the home’s wiring to ensure it is sized to meet the demands of automation. If your system isn’t able to accommodate the anticipated load, we offer rewiring and panel upgrade services to improve capacity. Once this is accomplished, we can begin implementing all of the home automations you desire. These can include the following:
- Linking the Lights: Automated lighting is mostly wired the same way as traditional lights, though motion sensors are typically hardwired into the circuit. Lights may also need to be wired into, for instance, the garage door in order to ensure they turn off and on when the door opens and closes.
- Establishing Elements: All home automation systems are made of several components. Sensors are used to measure motion, time of day, temperature, etc. and are the way the system knows something needs to be done. Actuators are motorized parts like sprinklers and switches and are usually what activate in response to the sensors. Buses facilitate communication through wired or wireless means and controllers and interfaces are how you can interact with the systems and direct it remotely. All of these parts must be either wired into the house’s electrical systems or into each other.
- Greening the Grid: Smart grids are a newer element of home automation that lets your house communicate with the power grid. This can facilitate shedding power loads during peaks in demand or defer energy usage to cheaper time periods. Green automation lets your home employ energy management techniques based around access to the relevant resources. If you have a solar panel, for instance, automation could defer high-energy appliances like dishwashers and washing machines until there are optimal levels of sunlight.
Contact us to get an assessment on home automation electrical systems and how Toronto Electrical Experts can perform electrical wiring for homes of the future.