The term “domotics” comes from the union of the words “domus” (meaning “house” in Latin) and “autonomous” (from the Greek αὐτόνομος, “governing itself”). Together with the suffix -tica (meaning “relating to”), we see that domotics is something autonomous relating to the home.
According to its definition, the domotics is the set of technologies applied to the intelligent control and automation of the home, allowing efficient management of energy use, providing security, comfort and accessibility, as well as ensuring communication between the user and the system.
How does a home automation system work?
A home automation system is able to collect information from various sensors or inputs, process it and issue commands to actuators or outputs. For this, it is necessary to have an efficient internet connection and full wi-fi coverage so that the control network of the home automation system is integrated with the power grid and coordinated with other networks that are connected to it.
It is also important to clarify that this interconnection of objects wouldn’t be possible without Iot technology, it means, the Internet of Things. This technology describes physical objects with sensors, processing capacity, software and other technologies that connect and exchange data with other devices or systems via the Internet or other communication networks. Thanks to this technology, which favors the construction of a smart home, we can manage the control of our home from any device remotely.
Domotics and its different applications
Home automation and energy efficiency
We can consider home automation as a synonym of energy efficiency, since home automation contributes, among other things, to achieve the maximum possible energy efficiency by allowing us to manage the use of energy in the home more efficiently.
In this way, we could control the use of blinds and artificial light according to the time of day and the amount of natural light entering the home, detect temperature changes or open windows to adjust the home’s climate control, or even alert us by means of sensors if there are water leaks in a faucet or water supply cuts. A smart home represents a saving of up to 25% or 30% in energy consumption.
Home automation and comfort
Home automation has become a common factor in today’s interior design projects and has managed to create modern and more comfortable homes. It is a fact that home automation has reduced the tasks in the house, which has an immediate impact on the quality of life of the user and the comfort that home automation brings to the user.
Comfort is essential in a home automation system and, through an integral control of the house, it is committed to improving the well-being and comfort in a home. With home automation, daily household tasks can be programmed from various locations, ensuring the convenience of being able, for example, to program a batch of washing the washing machine from a workplace.
Home automation and security
Domotic security has ceased to be something unusual and has become an essential part of a home. Home automation, at this point, allows automation and control over possible threats that may pose a danger to the house or the lives of those who live in it.
Thanks to different sensors and cameras connected to the home automation network, the user can be alerted of possible threats such as unwanted intrusions, gas leaks or even floods. Even different health or emergency services can be directly and automatically alerted.
Home automation and accessibility
Home automation seeks to make possible the personal autonomy of all possible users taking into account their diverse needs, allowing the user to have total control of all the systems that make up their home from a single interface.
Likewise, the advance of technology has created numerous control modes for home automation elements. Voice recognition, blowing or even blinking are some of the countless options that can be adapted to the different capabilities of different users. These advances, apart from improving the quality of life of users, improve their mood and self-esteem, as they increase their autonomy and independence.
Home automation and communications
Communication is the basis of any home automation system and ensures the connection between the user and the devices connected to the system, enabling, in addition, the remote control of these devices.
Thus, communication in a home automation network allows, in addition to an efficient connection between user and interface, the operation of services such as teleassistance (service that allows requesting help in emergencies from the home itself), telemaintenance (remote monitoring and restoration of devices), the issuance of consumption and cost reports, the transmission of alarms, among other intercommunications.
As we have seen, the savings in energy consumption with domotic technologies in a home is up to 30%. Technology has become a tool and an ally for sustainability, respect for the environment and improving the quality of human life. That is why, nowadays, it is inevitable to think about home automation and the design of a smart home when starting a sustainable, environmentally friendly and comfortable interior design project for the quality of life of the client.
