Control your window shade automation from anywhere using a smartphone, tablet, or voice-command devices like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. Many motorized blinds and shades integrate with popular smart home systems including Control4, RTI, Elan, and Logitech. Insulating shades that are automatically controlled through window shade automation reduce energy consumption by one-quarter, recouping their cost in about three to five years, according to Illinois Tech researchers.
Controlling Natural Light
Designed to sync with the natural progression of sunlight, smart shades automatically adjust for maximum comfort throughout the day. For example, Lutron’s smart shading system features a new feature that lets users set shade positions to match the sun’s movement across their home’s windows, with the option of creating custom scenes for specific times during the day.
Dealers can help clients optimize energy efficiency by setting up automation that enables their automated shades to lower during the heat of summer and raise at night, preventing thermal loss. Some products even monitor energy consumption and alert homeowners to potential overuse of heating or air conditioning, resulting in reduced energy bills.
Motorized shades offer a variety of control options, including remotes and smartphone apps. Many are compatible with leading smart-home systems, allowing for integration with lights, thermostats and more. Some, such as those with PowerView automation, are cord-free, promoting safety for children and pets.
Controlling Privacy
Rather than relying on cord loops or manual lifting mechanisms, motorized shades are encased between the glass and can only be operated through a remote, app, or your smart home system. This eliminates the risk of children or pets tampering with them and limits wear and tear.
Dealers can offer customers customizable shade programming so they can set schedules that automatically raise and lower them. This ensures natural light enters a room when needed and helps reduce HVAC usage.
Automated window shades can be mounted inside or outside the frame and are available in blackout, transparent, and sheer options. They can be powered by batteries, hard-wired to a building’s electrical system, or connected to a home automation hub and controlled via voice command using systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit. They can also be programmed to create scenes such as “Movie Time” that closes all the shades or a “Good Morning” scene that partially raises the blinds in each room.
Controlling Temperature
Unlike blinds and shades that are powered by cords, which pose a strangulation risk for children and pets, motorized window treatments offer family members safety and peace of mind. Control your shades with a remote, mobile app or voice assistant. Set scenes that lower your shades during peak heat to block sunlight and keep the home cool, or raise them during the day to allow natural light in while keeping the home warm.
Some cellular shades and window quilts come with built-in smart features that allow homeowners to optimize energy efficiency, reducing heating and cooling costs and dependency on artificial lighting. They can be programmed to open or close at pre-set times of the day according to the sunrise and sunset estimates for their area, and can even be synced with other connected products that monitor energy consumption and help homeowners save money when they’re at home or away.
Dealers can often add automation to existing woven wood, slat, roller and vertical blinds without swapping them out for new products. This makes them a great gateway product for consumers who may be hesitant to invest in other types of connected devices like smart thermostats and lights.
Controlling Energy Efficiency
Incorporated into a smart building, motorized shades can help control energy consumption. For instance, by responding to daily temperature patterns and adjusting shade position accordingly, they reduce the strain on HVAC systems. By integrating with sensors, they can also optimize energy efficiency by reducing waste from air infiltration, maximizing solar energy and more.
In addition to energy savings, PoE automated window shades can enhance the aesthetic of a space. Some systems feature sleek, forward-looking designs that complement any decor. Others include safety features like cordless operation, which eliminates dangling hazards and makes the home safer for kids and pets.
Your customers can easily operate their smart shades hands-free with integration to voice-enabled third-party platforms like Alexa, Apple HomeKit and the Google Assistant. They can set schedules based on their weekly routines; program the shades to lower during peak sunlight in summer or raise them at night to prevent heat loss; and create scenes that automatically adjust lighting, heating and cooling.