Making the home smart is becoming increasingly popular. There are different levels when home automation and we can take advantage of it in many ways. However, there are important differences between control and automation. Sometimes this is confused, and in this article we are going to discuss these differentiating points. We are going to talk to you about what you should take into account if you are going to start making your home smart.
Keep in mind that home automation can range from something very simple, such as installing a light bulb or a plug with Wi-Fi, to something much more complex, such as using smart appliances. This will also make the cost higher or lower, so it should be kept in mind at all times.
Differences between control and automation
The main difference is in user intervention. When we talk about control through home automation, it means that you will be able to manipulate a device remotely, for example. You could turn on a light bulb or an appliance with your cell phone, no matter where you are. This is useful for, for example, turning on the heating shortly before arriving home or turning on the oven so that it heats up, even if you are not yet home.
On the other hand, automation is the process by which you will avoid taking a direct action. For example, the heating could be turned on when it detects, through GPS, that you are approaching home. The windows could also close automatically if there is a sensor that detects rain or the lights could turn off if it does not detect presence.
Therefore, there is a clear difference between control, which requires user action, and automation, which avoids having to carry out an action, whatever it may be. That interaction, when talking about control through home automation, can be through voice, an application, etc. Automation will be based on different rules, routines or sensors that come into play.
If we think about convenience, automation is going to be of great help. You can forget about activating different home automation devices in your daily life, since they will work alone. It is only necessary that a series of rules that you have previously established be met.
Automation, one step ahead
We can say that control is the first step when we want to home automation. The first thing we are looking for is to be able to remotely access home appliances, turn on or off light bulbs or any other device. It is something that we can do from our mobile phone, no matter where we are.
The next thing would be to create an automation. You will still have control of those devices, but now you could also free yourself. That is, those devices could work without you having to do anything. You could automate watering plants if smart sensors haven’t detected rain, turn on the heating if the temperature drops to a certain point, etc.
In short, there are differences between control and automation, when we refer to home automation. Using smart devices correctly is going to be key. It is essential to differentiate the terms well and know to what extent using home automation can be useful in your daily life.
