Home automation enables you to remotely control your lighting, heating, security and some household appliances from your smartphone or hub. Learn how to use it to enhance your home’s comfort and security, cut energy consumption and simplify your life.
1. Control your home at the touch of a button
Home automation lets you take control of your home: manage your lighting, heating, security and even some appliances from a single device or hub. Find out how this technology can simplify your life and make your home more comfortable and energy efficient.
2. Create a healthier living space
Windows that open automatically to air a room, lighting that adapts to the brightness outside and heating that adjusts to your needs: home automation transforms your home into an easy-living space for effortless convenience.
3. Save energy without compromising on comfort
Reduce your energy bills with smart devices that adapt to your lifestyle: learn how smart thermostats, automated lighting and connected roof windows can optimise your energy consumption.
What is home automation?
Home automation connects different devices and systems across your home, such as lighting, heating and roof windows. It controls these remotely or automatically via your smartphone, tablet or hub.
It enables all your home’s devices to interact with each other to create an environment suited to your unique needs.
A smart heating system, for example, will automatically regulate itself based on information supplied by temperature sensors installed across your home.
This level of connectivity makes your home smarter and more energy efficient.
The three main advantages of home automation
Smart home technology offers advantages beyond convenience. These are:
1. Energy efficiency
Home automation enables you to reduce your energy consumption by optimising the management of your home.
Smart thermostats, for example, learn your lifestyle habits and adjust the temperature of the rooms in your home accordingly. While smart lighting can be programmed to switch lights off when a room is vacated.
Home automation creates a living space that actively looks after your wellbeing - so you can focus on what matters most.
2. Enhanced security
A connected security system, which can include security cameras, motion detectors and smart locks, monitors your home in real time and provides instant alerts in the event of a disturbance. It helps to keep your home secure, wherever you are.
Solar shutters from VELUX enhance your home's security
3. Wellbeing and comfort
As well as boosting energy efficiency and security, home automation makes your home a more comfortable living space.
At the touch of a button or even from a voice command, you can warm up your bathroom before your morning shower, adjust the lighting for a relaxing evening soak, and ensure proper ventilation - all without lifting a finger.
This automated roof windows create a comfortable bathroom that promotes everyday wellbeing
Popular smart home devices
Smart home technology integrates all the different devices in your home so that they work together. Here's an overview of the most popular devices that you could add to your smart home:
Smart lighting: set the scene
Smart lighting is often one of the first steps people take in their smart home journey. It lets you create lighting scenarios that suit different moments of the day, and it can make it look like you're home when you're not to enhance your home's security.
You can control it all from your phone, set schedules that match your routine, or simply ask your voice assistant to "turn the kitchen lights on" while your hands are full of shopping bags. Fancy a cosy movie night? Dim the lights without getting up. Need to concentrate on work? Adjust to bright, focused lighting that helps you stay alert.
The best part? Smart bulbs use LED technology, so they're kinder to your energy bills and last for years. You get convenience, ambiance, and efficiency all in one clever package.
Smart thermostats: optimise your room temperature
Smart thermostats are genuine game-changers. They learn your habits - when you're home, when you're out, and what temperature makes you comfortable - then quietly get on with keeping your home just right.
Whether you're heading home early and want to warm things up from your phone, or you've forgotten to turn the heating down before a weekend away, you're always in control from wherever you are.
Smart security systems: protect your home in real time
A smart security system can include security cameras, motion detectors, door and window sensors, smart locks and a connected alarm. When it detects a problem, it sends an alert to your smartphone in real time, so you can respond instantly.
Some smart security systems allow you to remotely lock and unlock your doors, turn on and off your lights and communicate with someone on your doorstep via your phone. These features enhance the security of your home and offer you peace of mind, wherever you are.
Solar and electric roof windows
Solar and electric roof windows, including side-by-side combinations, are ideal for out-of-reach locations or simply an easier life. They are operated by the touch of a button and close automatically in the event of rain.
To get even more from your automated VELUX roof windows, you can add on VELUX ACTIVE. When paired with VELUX ACTIVE, your roof windows can open and close automatically based on humidity, room temperature, and the time of day.
Incorporating these windows into your smart home lets you make the most of natural light, keeps your home well-ventilated and reduces the need for artificial lighting.
What’s more, existing manual roof windows can be easily upgraded with a solar upgrade kit (KSX). There’s no wiring required, so it’s a simple upgrade process to smart, automated roof windows.
VELUX smart home solutions
VELUX offers two connected smart home window solutions:
1. VELUX App Control - programmable remote control
Manage your VELUX roof windows, blinds and shutters directly from your smartphone, wherever you are. You can programme window opening and closing times, giving you full control over your smart home's natural lighting and ventilation.
These nursery roof windows are easily controlled with home automation to provide optimum comfort
2. VELUX ACTIVE – for a smart, automated indoor environment
VELUX ACTIVE features sensors that monitor the air quality, humidity and temperature inside your smart home.
This system automatically opens and closes your roof windows to your specifications to guarantee a healthy and comfortable living environment. It anticipates your needs and optimises your living space without you having to lift a finger.
VELUX roof windows that feature the VELUX ACTIVE system help to regulate your indoor air quality
Installing a home automation system in five steps
Follow these five easy steps to quickly fit your home automation system:
Step 1: design your smart home
First, identify your needs and objectives for your smart home.
What are you looking to improve in your home? Comfort, security, sustainability or all three?
Defining your priorities helps you choose solutions that meet your smart home expectations.
Also, consider how your smart home technology might evolve. Choose a system that is flexible and adaptable. You want to be able to add new devices when your needs change or new technologies emerge.
Step 2: device compatibility and integration
Next, consider compatibility between different devices. Ensure that all the devices and appliances you wish to include in your smart system can communicate with each other. This might mean choosing a central hub to act as a control centre for your home.
Some systems are compatible with a large range of brands and devices; others are more limited.
To avoid future inconvenience and to guarantee a smart home that functions harmoniously,
Check that each piece of equipment you buy is compatible with what you have.
Step 3: choose the right central hub
The central hub or smart home control unit is the brain of your home automation system. It centralises the management of all your smart home's connected systems.
Opt for a model with an intuitive user interface that can integrate with other platforms that you use, such as Google Assistant or Apple Home.
Step 4: install and configure your devices
The ease of your home automation system installation will vary depending on its complexity and your level of technical expertise.
Some items, such as smart bulbs or connected sockets, are easy to install and don't require any specialist skills. Follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully and take time to configure each device in line with your preferences.
Some items, such as smart thermostats or security systems, may require professional installation to ensure that they function correctly and are safe.
Step 5: maintain and update your system
A well-maintained home automation system should always be effective and safe. Update your devices regularly with the latest software to benefit from new functions and bug fixes.
In the event of a problem with VELUX home automation systems, contact our technical support team to obtain advice and answers.
As your needs change, expand your home automation system by adding new devices or optimising the ones you've already installed. Flexibility is one of the key advantages of home automation systems. Make the most of it to adapt your smart home to new habits or the latest technological advances.