If you are adding smart home technology to your home, you might be thinking about purchasing automated shades. Automated shades provide you with more privacy and more control of your energy use. Although purchasing automated shades requires an initial investment, the value they add in beauty, functionality, and energy savings make up for it.According to Consumer Reports, energy efficiency and smart technology are 2 of the best ways to add value to your home. As more millennials are buying homes, they are looking for homes that they can control from their fingertips. Adding smart technology like automated shades adds both energy efficiency and smart technology to your home.

There are so many reasons to switch to an automated shading system. Not only do they add beauty and energy efficiency to your home, but they also offer so many more benefits. Adding smart, energy-saving automated shades provides your home with extra privacy and security. You can program your shades to open or close even when you’re not home, giving the appearance that your home is occupied. Auto-darkening shades help boost your energy efficiency and protect your furnishing from sun damage. A little added bonus, having shades that open slowly, quietly, and automatically in the morning, can help you sleep better and wake up more easily.

BENEFITS OF AUTOMATED SHADES

• Increases your home value
• Provides privacy
• Adds security when you’re not home
• Boosts your energy efficiency
• Protects your furniture from sun damage
• Reduces glare
• Provides you with better quality sleep

Trying to decide which automated shades to purchase? Lutron is a leader in lighting control systems and automated shades. They have created innovative technology that allows you to control the lighting and ambiance of your room with the touch of a finger. Lutron offers a variety of wired and wireless automated shades that can be operated by remote control or through an app on your smartphone.

They have an extensive line of automated shading solutions including roller shades, drapery tracks, Venetian blinds, honeycomb shades, and more. You can order their shades in a variety of colors, fabrics, and materials such as wood, aluminum, or leather. All of their shading system can be operated with a touch of a button, and operate with a quiet electronic drive.

LUTRON SERENA

Lutron Serena smart shades offer you elegant, luxurious blinds at an affordable price. They are battery-powered and operate without wires or cords. These super quiet shades operate wirelessly either through a remote or through your smartphone. They work with Google Home and Alexa. These shades are available in insulating honeycomb and roller styles and can be purchased in a variety of fabric colors and textures.

LUTRON SIVOIA QS TRIATHLON

The Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon adds style and fashion to your home. This battery-operated automated shading system requires little maintenance. The battery has a 3-5 year life span. Because it’s battery-operated, you can control it from anywhere. It comes in roller, insulating honeycomb, wood, and in a selection of fabrics and colors. You can adjust your shades using the Lutron App or they can be controlled by Google Home or Alexa.

These shades are available in roller, insulating honeycomb, and wood style. They also come in a variety of attractive fabric colors and textures. They are both functional and stylish. They can be used as a standalone shading system or integrated with other smart home technology.

LUTRON SIVOIA WIRELESS

Lutron Sivoia QS Wireless automated shading system is ideal for creating a beautiful, energy-efficient, smart home. This automated shading system provides you with an innovative wireless solution for shading your home. It can be used with the entire line of Lutron window treatments including roller shades, Venetian blinds, traditional drapery, horizontal sheer blinds, wood blinds, and a variety of fabrics and colors.

This shading system is perfect for retrofitting and new renovations because it doesn’t require wiring and operates completely wirelessly. You can control the Sivoia QS wireless from a remote control, the Lutron app, or with Google Home or Alexa. It integrates with your smart home technology seamlessly adding value, energy efficiency, elegance, and beauty to your home.

There are a lot of options when it comes to automated shading systems. Deciding which one is right for you can be confusing. Intuitive AV can help you decide which shading system is best for your home, and help you turn your home into a beautiful, functional smart home.

With the advancements in modern technology, there is an app for everything. Thirty percent of American homes now use some type of smart technology, and this figure is expected to grow. There are smart TVs, smart lighting, smart speakers, and smart thermostats. Everything can be automated and controlled from your smartphone, including your HVAC system.

WHAT IS HVAC AUTOMATION?

HVAC automation simply means that your heating, cooling, and ventilation system is automated. An automated HVAC system is energy-efficient. It can make your life easier and save you money. Automated HVAC systems still have the same functionality as a traditional HVAC system, but instead of using a regular thermostat, they connect to a smart thermostat via WiFi. What this means for you is that you are now able to control the temperature of your home through automatic settings or right from your smartphone.

WHY MAKE THE SWITCH TO HVAC AUTOMATION?

If you’re thinking about making the switch to HVAC automation, you may be wondering whether or not it’s a good idea for your home. If you have a manual thermostat, upgrading to a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat can save you 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills.

You probably know the difference between a manual thermostat and a programmable thermostat. With a manual thermostat, the temperature in the room adjusts to whatever temperature the thermostat is set to. A programmable thermostat is more sophisticated. It allows you to digitally program the thermostat to change the temperature at set times or days. This means the temperature in your home can be set to be cooler or hotter when you’re not there, saving you energy and money. A smart thermostat also lets you program the temperature, but what’s the difference between a smart thermostat and a programmable thermostat? And is a smart thermostat better?

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTAT AND A SMART THERMOSTAT?

If you’re looking for ways to make your home more energy-efficient or lower your monthly heating or cooling bills, you might be considering upgrading your thermostat to a programmable thermostat or smart thermostat.

A programmable thermostat allows you to program the temperature in your home based on your needs. Programmable thermostats have been around for a while. Some of them are easier to use than others, but they work in much the same way as a smart thermostat but without smart technology.

While you can set customized temperatures with a programmable thermostat, such as when you are away from home or when you are on vacation, programmable thermostats are not always intuitive or easy to use. Homeowners often buy a programmable thermostat with the intention of using it, but many people never actually get around to programming their thermostat, defeating the purpose of buying one.

A smart thermostat is easier to use than a programmable thermostat and has more features. While they both will save you money on your energy bill, a smart thermometer has technology that allows you to easily program them and also adjust the temperature from your smartphone. Have you ever gotten out of work early? You can adjust the temp in your home to cool off while you drive home.

Some smart thermostats like the Control4 Wireless Thermostat by Aprilaire or the Nest Integration thermostat by Google have features that allow your thermostat to learn from your surroundings and behavior. They do much more than a programmable thermostat, they respond to what’s going on in the room, and adapt. They can adjust everything from the temperature to the humidity in your room.

Both smart thermostats can connect with your Google Smart Home or Alexa device, allowing you to use your thermostat easily through your app. You can set up an automatic vacation mode or away from home mode. All of your home’s comfort settings can be controlled directly from your app. An extra perk for tech lovers, when you connect your app to Google Smart Home or your Alexa device, you can control your home’s heating and cooling with voice commands. Something, you just can’t do with a programmable thermostat!

PROS AND CONS OF USING A SMART THERMOSTAT

For the most part, a smart thermostat is an excellent way to upgrade your HVAC system. There is an initial upfront cost when you invest in a smart thermostat, but the savings and convenience make up for it. In the long run, it is a great investment for your home. There are a few circumstances where you might not want to use a smart thermostat, such as if you work from home or if you plan to move soon.

PROS OF USING A SMART THERMOSTAT

• It’s energy-efficient
• It’s convenient. Program it and it does everything for you
• It’s easy to use
• It provides you with useful information about maintenance and energy usage
• It can be controlled from anywhere using your smartphone
• It’s cool!

CONS OF USING A SMART THERMOSTAT

• The initial cost of set up
• You may need to have it professionally installed
• If your home is never vacant, it may be unnecessary
• It only works over wifi
• Some smart thermostats will not work with older HVAC systems

WHY INVEST IN HVAC AUTOMATION?

If you are ready to upgrade your HVAC system, HVAC automation is a great way to turn your home into a smart home. If you have already started using other smart home technology, adding a smart thermostat to your house is just one more way to make your home more energy-efficient.