No one is surprised by motorized blinds, HVAC automation or alarm systems combined with an extensive surveillance systems – they are a kind of a standard in homes built nowadays. Poles go a step further and decide on smart home systems with automations scenes. However, despite the growing popularity of smart home there are still many myths concerning smart home automation. This is why we have decided to debunk some of the top myths people are mistaken with. We will start with the first 5 of them.
1. Smart home costs a fortune
Some say that smart home has to be very expensive while using first simple solutions based on wired installations. Its cost which is actually high, was dictated not only by the prices of the devices themselves but also by the need to include the system in the current electrical installation (which increased the price of the project) and the labor costs associated with installation and configuration.
The FIBARO system can be mounted on any electrical infrastructure available in the house or apartment. This is an extreme advantage: the system is designed to install within current installations.
FIBARO smart home system significantly reduces installation costs as well, even though it should still be carried out by a certified installer. Connecting elements within junction boxes of outlets and switches takes few minutes. Installation of battery-powered smart home devices is even faster.
Moreover, FIBARO solutions are easy to integrate with other “home automation” elements, inlcuding those that are already installed. It means extreme convenience associated with merging all devices and their smart features within one smart system and optimizing costs. Let’s take the FIBARO roller shutter as an example. If it is combined with traditional motorized roller shutters that are cheaper than many radio controlled systems available on the market.
If we were to translate this into specific amounts, the simplest smart solutions based on Apple HomeKit can close up in the amount of up to a few hundred euros. Amount of about €1000 is enough to create a smart system having interesting features in a medium-sized facility. Amount of about €2500 and more will allow users to equip a house with area of 100-150 sqm with a smart home system with extended features.
FIBARO solution are modular and this is the key to future extensions of the system possibilities. Nothing prevents you from initially installing a relatively simple and therefore relatively cheap system and set up new integrations in future. The only really binding decision that you need to make before buying is the choice of core technology: Apple HomeKit or Z-Wave. The core of the above mentioned is Apple HomeKit (e.g. Apple TV or iPad as a HUB), the second is based on Home Center HUB realted with Z-Wave technology.
2. Installation of smart home equipment is very complicated
Speaking about the assembly of the smart house system, it is worth distinguishing its two stages. The first is the assembly as such, that is, the installation of individual elements in the target places. The second is the configuration of the system.
Installation process of most battery-powered devices is not difficult at all. Part of the FIBARO system doesn’t even require tools: they can be successfully located on a wall, ceiling or furniture using the provided double-sided tape. Some devices do not require any attachment by definition, such as flood detector (Flood Sensor). Simply place the detector in the right place.
The Wall Plug is a smart outlet powered by classic power circuit. In this case the installation is reduced to connecting it to an existing outlet.
Devices dedicated for junction boxes to set smart features to switches and electrical outlets. The installation process is very simple, but for safety reasons it should be done by a certified FIBARO installer. After all, we are talking about connecting them to a circuit of a 230V voltage.
Configuration is done through a user-friendly interface supported on computer or mobile screens. As you can see, the set up process is theoretically and practically an easy stage, but nevertheless it is worth taking advantage of the experience of the installer. With dozens, and sometimes even hundreds of finished implementations, FIBARO installer is able to configure the smart home system in a way where it is optimally tailored just as the user wanted it to be including unique smart home automation scenes.
Help of an professional smart home installer is priceless even at the purchase stage. When you meet at the facility where you want to install the smart home installation, the installer can suggest new ideas or improve your plans to minimize costs and resources necessary to set up certain smart automations. Knowing all of the FIBARO smart home system advantages and integrations, an installer can advise you with selection of devices and their arrangement that will best suit your needs.
In the case of large areas and really extensive business projects, his experience will be an absolute must to take advantage of certain point of views and the know how about devices capabilities.
3. Smart home is difficult to maintain
Smart home systems are designed to make life easier for users and are designed to make it really happen. A well-configured system can work for many years. Using the system is dumbed-down to replacing the batteries in certain devices that are not powered via electrical power supply.
Batteries can work up to two years and you do not even need to remember about replacing them. Furthermore, the user will receive info about low battery power to change it before it stops working. The battery replacement takes just a few seconds because the smart home devices are designed to require very little maintenance.
It is suggested to perform a system check-up by professional installer after about a month or two of use. After several years of experience, our experts have found out that verification run after that time can reduce unexpected system errors to minimum. When speaking of installers help, there is no need to have an appointment. User may grant remote access to smart home system for his installer and the verification pricess can be performed remotely via app designed for FIBARO installers, namely FIBARO Installer App.
4. Smart Home needs continuous Internet access
FIBARO’s smart home retains full functionality even when it is not connected to the Internet. The lack of access to the network does not affect automation done automatically such as switching on the lights at a certain time of a day or in response to a detected motion. Moreover, Z-Wave technology keeps live all of the safety-critical automation features such as carbon monoxide detection, emergency gate opening or water or gas emergency shut down. These features work even when the Home Center is turned off.
The lack of Internet access affects features that need the access to certain cloud API’s or so. It concerns only smart automation features that need to do a backup in the cloud or remote management such as device on/off feature. However, you can still use your mobile devices or laptop to fully manage your system: all you need to do is connect your mobile or computer to the same Wi-Fi network where your smart home system items are located.
5. Smart home is difficult to use
FIBARO smart home system has been designed to make it easy to users that had never had any contact with smart home solutions before.
The mobile app available for your smartphone, tablet or smart watch is simple, intuitive and and very user-friendly with top UX design. It is much more user-friendly than complex control panels known from older smart home systems.
Furthermore, the smart devices themselves do not look to deviate from their traditional counterparts look. Some of them are mounted in junction boxes so that there are hidden. These smart home modules are neutral to the electrical circuit and can function as normal normal electrical components mirroring the basic switch or outlet features.
This way, referring to the popular saying, your guests can feel like home.
What does it mean? It means that if any of your guests will use the light switch in your living room, a single press of it with Single Switch in it will turn the ceiling lamp on and off. However, a double press can light all the lamps in the room, a longer hold, however, will close the blinds, leave the room light on and turn on the home theatre and TV.
Soon there will be another part presenting 5 more myths related to the intelligent home. Stay tuned