In the previous post, some of the most frequently appearing myths associated with a smart home were presented. This time we would like to present the next part of the examples that repent in the minds of most people who met with the term “smart home” for the first time.
6. Smart home makes me use one solution, system or even manufacturer
Nothing could be further from the truth! Both FIBARO smart home technologies, Z-Wave and Apple HomeKit allow you to connect literally thousands of different devices offered by hundreds of manufacturers. Beginning with the sprinkler drivers, ending with the gate controllers. From Alexa to Google Assistant. From alarm systems to HiFi devices, the product list extends overnight.
It extends not only thanks to manufacturers, but also to users of the FIBARO system. Visit marketplace.FIBARO.com to find out more unique scripts prepared by our devoted users, thanks to which it is possible to connect and control certain devices (e.g. audio systems) for which there are no manufacturer solutions yet.
And thanks to devices such as Smart Implant or Wall Plug smart outlet even completely ordinary devices can become smart ones.
7. Smart home is a glamorous solution — a gadget, a useless thing
Indeed, smart home can become very glamorous. In fact, making gestures in front of the Swipe controller hidden under the wooden table that will change the color of the lighting in the living room and turn on the music — it will surely make a massive impression on your guests!
However, the FIBARO smart home system is a useful solution: it can notify you of a water leak in the bathroom (and automatically cut off the water supply), inform you of attempted burglary or turn off unnecessary electrical appliances when you are not home and reduce energy consumption.
Finally, smart home is also about a comfort living. It is a solution appreciated by owners of larger houses where the service of more and more systems installed becomes more and more complex and annoying. Gates, blinds, alarm system, HVAC systems, indoor and outdoor lighting, garden automation — in traditional terms, all these systems are separate environments. In order to control it, one needs to use switches and dashboards spread across different locations of the house. Integrating them into a single system, controlled by a smartphone, voice assistant or programmable smart switches brings a lot of joy in operationg smart home features. Moreover, operation of individual systems can be automated and combined into logical sequences.
Garden lighting switching on only after sunset? That’s super fine. Srinklers automatically water lawns only when rain is not expected? Not a problem at all. Turn off the air conditioning and stop wasting energy if the window is opened? Automatic switching off of lights when no one is in the rooms? Turning on heating system during winter and certain lights in the hallway and kitchen when the gate to the is being opened? Arm the alarm system, close the blinds and turn off all unnecessary electrical appliances when you leave the house with just one touch of a button placed at the main door? You are limited only by imagination to build your dream home automation scene.
8. Smart home is a threat to privacy
User safety is an absolute priority for us, so FIBARO uses state-of-the-art security to protect against unauthorized access. Home Center support requires user name and password, entire communication is encrypted using cryptographic technology and device software is constantly updated.
Communication between individual devices in your home and any data collected by the system both locally and remotely in the cloud is also encrypted.
It is also worth mentioning that FIBARO smart home works without Internet connection. Almost all available features are enable without being connected to the Internet! There are only a few exception where Internet access is necessary – cloud data connection or remote control of the smart system. Management and configuration are performed via mobile device or a computer connected to the same Wi-Fi network to which the Home Center is connected.
9. Power failure prevents the system from operating
True, the lack of electricity prevents the system from working… or at least those devices that are powered via power supply. It is not surprising that in such a situation the traditional devices stop working. Battery powered components will continue to work, although most of them will lose their impact on the functioning of the system. For example, the motion detector programmed to cause the light to turn on will obviously not be able to turn on the lighting based on power supply. However, the Smoke Sensor (smoke detector) will alert the detected smoke with a sound and light alarm.
And if you connect a Home Center and a access point to a backup power supply — uninterruptible power supply — you will also receive a smoke detection notification on your phone.
Moreover, the system can be set up to notify even if there is a power outage. Of course, the Home Center has to be connected to the UPS as well.
Uninterruptible power supply is also increasingly used to support the power supply of core devices in the house such as boilers, garage door and entrance gates or recuperators.
10. Smart home solutions should be taken into account already at the design stage of the house or apartment
Adaptation of the smart home system already at the design stage was necessary for all older wired systems. Their installation was, of course, possible also after having a house furnished but it was associated with invasive works on the scale of general renovation.
Smart home system by FIBARO does not require renovation works to have it work. Perhaps the optimal situation would be to plan the installation already at the project stage, but the decision later changes very little and does not cause significant difficulties. Communication between the components is wireless, and the power is supplied either from the battery or from the existing installation, so the installation process becomes non-invasive. Since FIBARO offers a line of smart sockets and smart switches – the Walli series – those interested in the implementation of FIBARO smart home system before designing installation, we recommend consulting a professional smart home installer in order to combine the potential of the home automation system and home.
Wireless limitations can only appear in the largest facilities, but there is also a solution: efficient coverage and network performance can be increased by using additional Home Center smart home gateway.
With every new technology, many misunderstandings and often conflicting information may arise. The presented myths will definitely help anyone in making the decision to use a smart home in their home or apartment.