Smart Lighting

  • What can I automate in my home? A Room-wise suggestion for home automation

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    Omar M

    Home automation has come a long way since its early days of only being used for controlling lights. Today, it has expanded to cover almost every aspect of a modern home, making it easier to automate and manage different tasks with just a few taps on your smartphone or tablet. So you may be wondering – what can I automate in my home? Let us explore some of the best home automation ideas.

    Smart Lighting

    By approaching home automation room by room, you can see the many ways it can simplify your life. From smart thermostats that can control the temperature in each room to smart locks that let you remotely secure your front door, the possibilities are endless. This approach also makes it easier to understand where to start your automation journey, as you can focus on the areas that matter most to you and your family. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen, improve your home security, or create a more comfortable and convenient living space, home automation can help you get there. Here are some examples of home automation devices that you can use in different rooms in your house.

    What can I automate in my Master Bedroom?


    The master bedroom is an ideal starting point for ways to automate your home and begin your automation setup, as it provides a high degree of flexibility to make it your own. One of the simplest ways to get started is by installing a touch switch that controls your lights and fan. This switch is a convenient upgrade from traditional switch panels, transforming your lights and fan into smart devices that can be easily managed.

    In addition to lighting control, you can enhance your master bedroom’s ambiance by incorporating smart lighting products like the Philips Hue bulb. Installed in your bed lamp, it can create a warm, relaxing atmosphere that’s perfect for winding down after a long day.

    To take your home automation setup to the next level, consider installing an IR blaster in the master bedroom. This device allows you to control your AC and TV using voice commands through Alexa and Google Assistant. There are far more Alexa home automation ideas but for now you can comfortably begin here. With the ability to control both the lighting and temperature of your room, you can create a comfortable and inviting environment with just a few taps on the Toyama WizHom app or a voice command.

    What can I automate in my Bathroom?


    The bathroom is an essential space in your home, and one of the simplest upgrades is to install a motion sensor that automatically turns on the light and exhaust fan when you enter the bathroom. This eliminates the need to fiddle with switches and provides a more hands-free experience.

    Another upgrade you can consider is replacing your geyser switch with a Toyama high load smart switch. With this device, you can control your geyser from anywhere, allowing you to schedule it to turn on before you wake up or even turn it on remotely as you’re on your way back from the gym. By being able to control your geyser with voice commands through Google Assistant, you can enjoy a safe and convenient way to have hot water ready for your shower when you need it.

    These upgrades to your bathroom are the devices recommended because they are an easy and cost-effective way to improve the functionality and convenience of this essential space in your home. With these simple enhancements, you can enjoy a more convenient, comfortable, and connected bathroom experience.

    What can I automate in my Living Room?


    The living room is a central gathering space in your home, and incorporating smart technology can elevate the overall experience. To start, consider installing a Toyama control panel that integrates a hum-free fan circuit, such as the Toyama T18 113HF, T18 116HF, or T18 127HF. This allows you to control your existing lights and fans with a single panel, making it easy to manage the ambiance of your living room.

    In addition, adding smart lighting fixtures such as Philips Hue bulbs can allow you to customize the mood of your living room with ease. You can control these lights through the WizHom app or with voice commands through Alexa or Google Assistant. This enables you to create the perfect lighting environment for any occasion with just a few taps or voice commands.

    Another way to enhance your living room experience is by installing a smart speaker like Amazon Echo or Google Nest. This device allows you to play your favorite tunes, as well as control other smart devices in your home with voice commands.

    Finally, incorporating a smart TV or streaming device such as Amazon Fire TV or Google Chromecast will give you access to all your favourite content, including movies, TV shows, and music. With these upgrades, you can transform your living room into a connected and convenient space that is perfect for relaxation, entertainment, and spending time with family and friends.

    What can I automate in my Entrance?


    The entrance of a house sets the tone for the rest of the home and incorporating smart technology can make it a more convenient and welcoming space. Consider installing a smart lock such as August or Nest that allows you to unlock your front door from anywhere with your Toyama WizHom app. This not only adds an extra layer of security to your home, but also makes it easier to grant access to friends, family, or guests.

    In addition, you can also add a smart video doorbell, such as Ring or OneTouch, which allows you to see and talk to visitors even if you’re not at home. This can be a great way to keep an eye on your front door and ensure the safety of your home.

    Another way to enhance your entrance is by adding a smart lighting system, such as Philips Hue or Toyama WizHom, that can be controlled through the Toyama WizHom app or voice, allowing you to easily turn on lights when you arrive home and also set schedules to turn lights on and off when you’re away.

    Why Toyama

    As a pioneer in home automation, Toyama has been at the forefront of the industry since its inception in the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore. With over a decade of experience and innovation, Toyama has established itself as a leader in the field of home automation. With end-to-end in-house manufacturing, the company prioritizes design, customization, and customer service, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience. From setup to upgrades and queries, Toyama provides a single platform, company, and app for a unified and convenient home automation experience.

    Conclusion

    Home automation is an exciting and innovative way to upgrade your home and make it a more convenient and comfortable place to live. By incorporating smart technology into different rooms of your home, such as the master bedroom, bathroom, living room, and entrance, you can enhance your daily routine and elevate your living experience. Whether it’s through controlling lighting, fans, AC, TV, or geyser, or accessing entertainment and music, home automation provides endless possibilities to make your home a smart home. With the growing availability and affordability of smart devices, it’s never been easier to start your home automation journey and transform your home into a connected and convenient space.

  • Smart Switches: Your Gateway to Home Automation

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    toyama

    An introduction to smart switches, their advantage over regular switches, technology behind the switches and how you can install them into your smart home

    You’ve probably come across the word “smart” attached to a host of things that you use on a daily basis. The most familiar being (smart) phones and TVs, but also watches and washing machines. What this indicates is that these gadgets or appliances are beyond ordinary,  usually connected to the internet, and offer conveniences that you wouldn’t find in their regular, not so smart, alternatives. So then what is a smart switch though? A switch is just a switch, isn’t it?  It was, till the turn of the millennium, since then your modern-day smart switch has become central to home automation adding unbelievable functionality to your homes, offices, and hotel rooms in ways that would have once been considered wizardry!

    In this guide, we’ll talk about smart switches in detail covering

    1. What smart switches are and what they can do
    2. How they fit into home automation setups
    3. How they work and how to install them
    4. When they can add value to your home/office

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    1. What are smart switches and what they can do 

    Think of a smart switch as an enhanced, connected, multi-access portal to your lights, fans, and other appliances, while also performing the basic on/off function of your regular switch.

    Physically, it is a replacement for the regular plastic/ceramic switch in your gang box and usually does not require a complete rewire of your electrical lines. Technology-wise, it is an intelligent, programmable, and user-friendly way to control your appliances while offering a great degree of convenience. 

    As for what they can do, the list is long yet awesome so buckle up

    • For starters, they connect to the internet via your home/office network
    • By virtue of being on an online grid, they can be accessed from anywhere
    • This includes reading the state of the switch(on/off) from wherever you are
    • You can control the functionality of the switch via an app(remote access)
    • Most switches are compatible with your voice-activated assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, etc
    • Because they are controlled and accessed digitally you can automate tasks based on time, occupancy of the home/office or set up a recurring schedule
    • If you have more than one smart switch in your setup, they can be controlled together say, to turn off the lights and draw the curtains when you are ready for bed
    • Most modern-day smart switches from reliable brands come with surge protection  that safeguards your appliances from voltage spikes
    • Bonus: there is the general wow factor that doubles up as a great conversation starter with guests

    2. Smart Switches in Home Automation

    Before we go on to explain what role smart switches play in home automation, let us understand what home automation is. 

    Home automation is a collective of smart devices, switches, sensors and appliances that can work together based on preset or realtime instructions to reduce the amount of time and energy spent by users on a day to day basis.

    A Day in the Life of a Smart Home Owner

    Let us give you a great example. Imagine you have set your alarm for 6:00 AM. You have an important day ahead and you need your edge. The alarm sounds and as you wake up the curtains draw open to flood your bedroom with early morning sunlight – great start already! Your coffee maker comes alive and starts brewing you a steaming cup of your select blend. Alexa/Google starts listing off your to-dos for the day over a smart speaker and bringing you up to speed with the latest news and weather updates. Meanwhile your geyser turned on in the background to save you from that spine chilling drench of cold water when you hit the shower. Noticed how you just needed to walk into your bathroom and the lights came on automatically? You are dressed and looking sharp and walk to your car and the garage door and front gate automatically open as you pull off your driveway. 

    As you hit the end of the street a notification one your phone screen says that your home has gone into power saver mode with the lights, fans and air conditioning all turned off. The geyser switch you barely knew existed has been turned off alongside an earmarked set of appliances like your TV, sound system etc that you may have missed. The security system has locked your front and back doors and the garage and main gates are secure.You weren’t focussing on all these tasks, your focus this morning has been elsewhere and rightly so. You smile to yourself, just as the lights turn green,and you set off to conquer the day.

    That is what home automation is all about. Convenience, unparalleled convenience that just works on so many levels while making your life easier, stress free and productive. 

    Smart Switches Behind the Scenes

    Now let’s come back to smart switches. Remember that curtain that opened as you woke up, the coffee maker and geyser that turned on in tandem with your morning routine? There is a smart switch behind each of those tasks and perhaps others. What’s more important and awesome is that you didn’t have to lift a finger(literally) for any of that to happen. That is the convenience that smart switches bring to the mix. 

    Think of a smart switch as a fundamental unit of a home automation setup that enables automation of various tasks without having to physically walk up to it and turn it on(or off). 

    3. Smart Switches workings in your Home Setup

    Smart switches come in a wide variety offering different functionality and designs. Home automation experts and solution providers can help you identify your needs and customize your solutions based on your specific requirement, even decor. 

    However, the real classification of smart switches is based on the technology that they use to communicate and integrate with your home grid. Broadly speaking these switches rely on

    • Bluetooth
    • Hardwired Cables
    • Wifi
    • Proprietary Tech – Zigbee

    Bluetooth

    These switches are a bit out of date and not really the best solution. The major drawback comes from not being able to be a part of a reliable and fast network or mesh. Most Bluetooth switches communicate on a one-to-one basis with another device. So basically you need to reach for your Bluetooth-enabled phone/tablet to access these switches handsfree. Not really an elegant solution in the grand scheme of things. 

    Hardwired Cables

    These are a more hardy alternative to wireless means but require a whole lot of cabling and re-cabling. Moreover, they need to connect to a hub, a separate device that is a conduit for instructions. While these switches don’t directly connect to the internet themselves. The hub acts as the middleman. While they are prone to less failure, they tend to cost more and are used in cases where wireless means can’t be deployed. Or when the sheer number of installations can’t accommodate the cost of wireless-enabled smart switches.

    Wifi

    These versions are easier to install and set up. Without the need for additional cabling, they are best suited for small homes, villas, and offices. However, as the number of individual switches and independent devices in a space increase, your wi-fi router could take a toll and become sluggish. Compare it to a waiter at a restaurant having to take a three-course meal order from an excited and enthused family of eight while also having to upsell the day’s specials. That pumpkin soup is going to come medium-rare, that’s for sure.

    Zigbee

    Zigbee technology offers the convenience of wireless communication and the robustness of hardwired cabling while doing away with the shortcomings of both. Zigbee enabled smart switches to form a “mesh” , a grid of sorts where they communicate with one another and also with a hub(when necessary). This allows for a large number of smart switches to exist on the same network while allowing add-ons and expansion in the future as the need arises. They offer advanced self-healing properties thereby ensuring that instructions are relayed one way or the other to the target switch even if one of the Wi-fi routers in the path is malfunctioning. 

    If you are going to bet on home automation, state-of-the-art tech like Zigbee etc are your best options. 

    4. Smart Switch Installation

    For a lot of the off the shelf smart switches, installation can be easy. Most of the time they won’t require experts to install them for you and it can be a weekend DIY project. After all most of these switches just need to be swapped in for your regular switches with some attention to wiring. But that’s not to say that these come with limitations. Cross compatibility of different brands and manufacturers is still in the works. What that can mean is that you will probably need a separate app to control different switches from different brands if they aren’t compatible with a common application. 

    With these retail solutions, more often than not, you can’t build an “ecosystem” that functions seamlessly. It might come off looking like you used adhesive and duct tape to put together an entertainment cabinet – unsightly. 

    Go with the Experts

    If you are looking to build a smart home, ground up, or upgrade your existing home to a smart one, seek expert advice. It helps in the long run and you can be more specific with your goals. They can also help you save costs by providing the most cost-effective solutions. A good smart home solution partner can also guide you in making the right choices and not go overboard. 

    Smart switches and by extension smart home solution providers are easy to find in India and around the world. A select few come with thousands of installations to their credit and finding them can be easy if you know what to look for. The technology that they depend on and the width of the solutions they provide are good indicators. 

    The Smart Advantage

    We have covered the convenience that comes from functionality that smart switches can bring to your life but there is more to these nifty little devices than meets the eye. 

    Energy Savings

    When you opt for smart home setups, savings on utility bills is a given. You are almost never consuming energy unnecessarily and can always set up devices to switch off when not in use. This can be based on sensors that detect occupancy in a room or based on the geo-location of your personal devices like your smartphone or smartwatch. 

    Futureproof

    You are covered for the future. Increasing capacity or adding functionality is a breeze. With great solution providers, your systems and technology are constantly getting upgrades allowing you to add more and more devices to your arsenal. 

    Voice Control

    The advantage of voice control can’t be stressed enough. It adds a whole new layer of control and convenience considering you almost always have access to your phone and all you need to do is say “Turn on the lights”

    Versatility

    From helping set the scene at a party to scheduling your bedtime routines smart switches can offer them a unique opportunity to make life easier for you while getting the best out of your day. 

    Get Smart

    Like we explained at the outset, smart switches are the gateway to home automation. By installing a smart switch you have already set off an incredible journey of tech discovery. We at Toyama Control Solutions can make this journey an incredible one for you. Reach out to us for a demo and we can introduce you to the limitless wonders in the world of home automation.