Smart Home Technology For A Sustainable Lifestyle

Living a sustainable lifestyle requires a great deal of dedication and awareness. Over the years, the environment has been harmed and polluted in numerous ways by us. Keeping that in mind, we are learning together to make a change by doing small bits to reduce the carbon footprint.

 

Before investing in smart home technology, it is crucial to understand what it means. Smart home technology incorporates a range of products that can be used at home to make everyday life more comfortable and simpler. The home can be transformed using advanced technology with a simple set-up and connection to the internet system.

Though smart home systems vary widely in pricing and capabilities, there are a number of affordable options available to make the right choice. Whether you select one simple device for your home or make your full home a smart home, you can pick the one suitable for your needs and budget.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs can make a great addition to your home for smart set-ups. They can be used to set a schedule or use a voice command to turn on or off anything. With these plugs set to a timer, you can watch TV while falling asleep and a lot more without worrying about wasting electricity or fire risks. Not only do devices like this simplify your life, but they also keep you in line with your sustainable lifestyle goals.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats work similar to regular thermostats but with greater control  and accessibility. With the integration of mobile devices, you can turn the AC on or off from anywhere in the world. It also allows you to see how much energy you have been using. 

Smart Appliances

Going eco friendly while buying your new appliance is a great option to consider. There are several appliances integrated with smart capabilities that can help your devices run more efficiently. Some of the features that these appliances come with are alerting you when the door is open, connection with smart devices etc. While purchasing these appliances, click for the certification with an official energy efficiency label to invest in an eco-friendly appliance.

Smart Lighting

One of the easiest ways of making a smart and efficient switch to a sustainable life with automation is introducing smart lighting into your home. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with smart LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption. The LED bulbs are also safer and produce less waste over time. Using a mobile device to control the lighting in your home will ensure that you never forget to turn off lights when leaving a room.

- Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Amp up your home with these smart home automation tips

The festival season is the ideal time to invite friends and family into your glimmering smart home. Whether you’re relaxing, partying, or you just want to show off your 65-inch TV, how can you make things even better? Well, putting that tech to work can make your life easier and give you more time to focus on enjoying festivals. Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd offers a brief overview of how to get technology to lighten up your home, almost literally in some cases!

Save Energy

One of the key benefits of home automation is that it allows saving energy at home by scheduling your exterior lights so they aren’t on when they don’t need to be, using motion sensors that automatically turn off when you leave the room. It’s a great way to conserve power and have the best decoration, without dealing with an outrageous electric bill.

Cook With Ease

Whether baking festive delicacies or cooking an entire family dinner, you can use smart appliances to help with preparation. Your smartphone will notify you when the delicacies are cooked, while the safety sensors remind you if you have left the stove on, and the smart refrigerator alerts when the door is left open. 

 

Pick pretty pieces

Gone are the days when smart home automation devices were oversized eyesores. Now it's entirely possible to find sleek and stylish smart devices that won't draw attention. Smart devices are now small enough to be tucked away on a bookshelf and come in classic colours and design, that complement your home decor theme. 

Automate Your Festive Lighting

If you’ve got some lighting out in the garden, why not consider some weatherproofed on/off modules so you can avoid the need for manual control? Apply the same to your lights and decorations indoors so you’ve got all that lighting covered and you can automate it just by a click on your smartphones or tablets.

Create The Right Mood for Dinner

Now, with all the food in place, you can use automation to set the scene for the perfect meal. Create a dining room scene so that the lights are tailored accordingly, and your festive playlist kicks in. With a smart thermostat in place, the temperature is dialled in without you needing to continually fiddle with a manual alternative. All that remains is to enjoy all that lip-smacking food with your nearest and dearest.

Use wireless home security and smart home automation systems provided by ATPL to enhance your decorations, add a little warmth—literally and figuratively, and help make the festive season more fun and comfortable.

The piece is written by Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd. 

What a futuristic home looks like?

“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create”- Leonard Sweet, American Theologian

People often envision their future as advanced and to be governed by technology in every sense. They want to buy and build things that lead them to the next generation and do not get obsolete. Similarly, even while designing their homes, home-owners want their residences to be exquisite and fitted with the newest fixtures and fittings in the market.

Our lives have been invaded with technology in recent times. With the inclusion of smartwatches, smartphones, automatic cars, and smart classes, it seems fitting that our homes too, are equipped with the best technology available. The next decade’s biggest trend will surely be home automation—which will help to create spaces, wherein technology will assist people in making their day-to-day living easier. 

Why home automation is the next big thing?

Human beings love technology; they like everything that makes their life easier and better. Why then, would they refrain from residing in a space, where everything is possible with a single click? A home where things are done exigently, keeping in mind their mood and preferences is surely a smart home. From adjusting lighting as per specific requirements to making sure that they don’t need to get out of the bed to draw curtains, home automation ensures that one dwells in the lap of comfort.

Home automation can seem like a costly affair; however, when weighed with the benefits that it offers, it surely comes out as a winner. A fully automatic space also means that it would lead to energy conservation and less labor. Lights adjust with the mood or as per the presence of a person. There can be automated drapes or curtains that would also adjust according to the daylight in the room.

With rapid technological changes, it is quite clear that many contemporary and modish products will be introduced in the future, to enhance the scenario of what a futuristic home would look like. Upcoming products launches would eliminate the work of humans to generate a cozy place, where everything can be customized and will be automatic.

Even today, there are houses that have automated lights, drapes, mirror TVs, etc. which add comfort to human lives. Product brands are ensuring that the products are serviced to the consumers, so that they may lead a life full of luxury or plush.

Today, the world can imagine how a fully automatic house would look like and would work- embracing aesthetics, Luxe and a feeling of being in paradise – a place where no one can resist living in.

The piece is written by Alok Hada, Director, AnushaTechnovision Pvt. Ltd.

Eco-Friendly Home Automation

We can’t turn on the television, browse the internet or read a newspaper without seeing a reference to ‘Go Green,’ but sometimes it’s difficult to understand what we are being asked to do. Going green can refer to many different things, but it generally refers to the little things that we choose to do to become more environmentally-friendly.

With all the tasks that one has to do, many wonder why we should make the extra effort to go green- For some, their decision is based on strong personal values,and while others are motivated because of the money they can save. Even though the most obvious reason for going green is to conserve resources for future generations, starting to implement green habits provides benefits we can immediately enjoy, like lowering the month’s energy bill.

Going Green at Home

Going green within our home is a great place to start, and it has the added benefit of lowering our energy costs. Everyone has had months when they dread opening their utility bills. How great would it be to know you are helping the environment, while also paying considerably less in energy costs?

Using Home Automation to Go Green

Since a large part of going green focuses on energy conservation, home automation systems can facilitate efforts of going green within our homes. There are many resources available to help organize your efforts of saving money and making you home a little greener. A home automation system can improve all areas of home energy usage:

1. Air Conditioning and Heating System: With a smart thermostat, you can save money and energy by programming your thermostat to go easy on your home’s heating and air system when you’re not home and remotely change the temperature from any smart phone or other web-enabled device. Adjusting your thermostat just one degree you can save 5% on your energy bill.
2. Lighting: Replacing your light bulbs with energy efficient light bulbs is an easy way to go green. When combining this with dimming, you can save as much as 25% of your lighting bills with bulbs last ten times longer than a standard bulb. A home automation system can be used to implement timers and regulate light usage within your home, and you can also turn off/dim lights remotely.
3. Electronics: A homeautomation system can allow you to program your electronics to turn off when not in use. Also, being able to remotely control your home electronics and appliances such as televisions, desktop computers and curling irons allows you to ensure you are not wasting energy. 
4. Motorised Shades- Shades not only reduce glare, protect your upholstery and fabric but also help reduce your air conditioning bills because of insulation. However, the common problem with manual shades is that unless really required, the chances of drawing the shades or parting them is not convenient. Enter motorised shades, lo & behold-touch of a button brings bright sunlight when required and another touch at a different time helps close the same shade. Motorised helps in conveniently using the shades to give user comfort and also at the same time indirectly saving considerable amount of energy

The more we learn about the importance of making green decisions, the easier it becomes to enable the small lifestyle changes that help sustain our environment. Starting with a home automation system can significantly assist in making green decisions easier. Not only does a home automation system lower monthly energy bills, it is also a small step towards the worldwide ‘go green’ initiative.

- Alok Hada, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd. 

New Trends in Home Automation

Toward the end of the year, the world wonders, “What’s next?”  The world of home automation is no different, and manufacturers have started to give us a clue about what might be coming to your home in 2024

At Anusha Technovision, we look forward to what’s on the horizon for 2024, especially in smart home automation, lighting, and voice control. We can’t wait to share these trends with you, and we hope you’ll call us to speed up your home to keep up with the dynamic year ahead.

Smart Mirrors:

The famous scene from the movie “Minority Report” where Tom Cruise’s character manipulates images on a screen with his hands is now one step closer to reality thanks to smart mirror technology. Mirrors can now display news and weather updates, show you your social media feeds, interact with other automation systems in your home and much more. Having that smart technology in your bathroom may be a little disconcerting for some, but the added convenience and sheer “wow” factor will likely persuade many people to bring these smart screens into their homes.

MORE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE CAPABILITIES

It may feel strange to admit, but we are firmly in the age of artificial intelligence. AI is poised to make a big impact on the world of home automation in 2024.

One major example of this trend is AI-enabled security devices. Security companies are in the process of rolling out smart door cameras with machine-learning technology. These devices will be able to identify specific faces, autonomously determine who’s at the door and then let them inside if they recognize a familiar person. There are also smart sensors with advanced AI systems that can detect fires and potential burglars as well as alert you if your carbon monoxide levels are too high

WHOLE-HOME AUTOMATION

When your whole home automation runs as scheduled, it feels as though your entire house falls at your feet and facilitates your most carefree lifestyle. If that didn’t feel seamless enough, we have heard that even accessing the technology will get progressively easier.

·       More Scheduling: How? All signs point to further automation via programming on devices — no touch necessary. If you want your lights to turn on and off at a set time each day, that is a time-event. A non-scheduled event would be lights that come on when the door to the room is opened and go off when it closes

·       5G Creeping In: 2024 might not unveil a fully capable 5G, which will nearly eliminate our reliance on Wi-Fi. But 5G, projected to emerge in the next couple years, will usher in robust, high-speed connectivity, which will enhance every area of home automation.

·       Demand for Design: We’ve also found that new tech shifts toward a more diligent focus on design, adding more hidden speakers, architectural details, smaller (or hidden) devices and fewer cords. The smart home integrators at Elevated Integration care about how design and tech integrate, an area in which we’re proud to be ahead of the curve. 

User Interface

User Interface in the present world refers to the visual interface of any technology, application or service that is being accessed, interacted with and used by the end users. At Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd., we provide our clients with optimally designed user interfaces for services, both for hard products and applications running on smart devices.

Examples of User Interface

1. Keypads- To complement and help enhance the beauty of interiors, we provide wide range of keypads in a variety of colours, finishes, style and function. The keypad is easy to use, readable, with custom engraved buttons in both wired and wireless options. We can set any mood lighting, control of shades/ HVAC on the keypads. 

2. Touch Screen- The in-house GUI (Graphic User Interface) software is developed in a way that it will be easy to understand icons, that allows end user to control and monitor lights, shades, audio video, security through a touch panel anywhere and anytime. We develop own own GUI and it can be customized according to the requirement of the customers. The various touch screen panels are available in multiple sizes. 

3. Voice Command- Now you can control the entire home with your 

voice. Amazone Alexa or Google home provide the device but we are here to integrate the lighting controls, shades, audio video, security, HVAC system with voice commands. We configure each command according to user’s specific words and choices. 

We at ATPL provide customized keypads that complement the existing interior design of the space, keeping in sync with the existing tone, our panels contrast the colours and finishes of the wall. It provides easy to use, readable buttons and comes in both wired and wireless versions. Lighting moods, controlling of shades/HVAC and multiple other functions can be done using these keypads. The touch screen interface is designed by an in-house UI design team ensuring easy understandable icons with distinct buttons that allow users to control and monitor lights, play audios and videos, and control our phones through the same. The user interface can be customized according to the user, and the touch panels are available in multiple sizes. An interesting inclusion is the addition of voice controls to the panels. Intelligently integrating services with devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Echo, our panels integrate lighting controls, audio and video playback, air conditioning and security features by bringing into one roof all appliances in the house. Commands and order words are customized according to the client’s demands.

Each component in this system viz. the keyboard, touchpad, and voice commands hold their own importance. While keypads enhance the aesthetic appeal of the wall, users also might choose to simply use their personal phones to control the settings. The inclusion of voice control facilities in the system help users to work with both their hands while controlling the various parameters of your home. Integrated with devices like Alexa and Echo, this brings in the next generation implementations in home automation.

- Alok Hada, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd. 

Switches

All modern comforts today in a home, that can be related to technology - from lighting, fans, A/c, entertainment to kitchen appliances, have one thing common - the little button that transforms the sleeping tech gadget into a source of enjoyment, comfort or simply getting the work done. Every one of these gadgets has to be turned ON, and therein lies this seemingly common, but very important aspect – A Switch.

Lighting today does not simply have to be on/off, it can be modified to get the perfect level with the help of dimmers. Matching with the technology of the audio systems, the smart switches also give us complete control, to set the light according to mood. 



One of the major reasons of switches giving way to automation keypad is the user friendliness- a keypad is annotated properly, and each button is engraved and designed to remove any confusion about its functionality.

As design and technology are linked closely, the design of the switches has also undergone evolution. The switch stands out on a plain wall, and therefore designers tried to conceal them. Switches have become flatter, crisper, smarter, better-looking and now offer a variety of colors and materials to choose from.

A technology taking the center stage these days is the Palladium keypad by Lutron, a sleek 3x3 inch keypad, with 8 buttons that replaces a complete bank of switches. It is centrally linked to the automation system; as a result, lighting scenes, music or motorizedcurtains shades- everything can be controlled by just one keypad. Each button individually is backlit and custom engraved making it easy for the user to read, under all lighting conditions.

In the near future, I foresee that standalone switches will become obsolete. As home automation systems advance, gadgets will increasingly work as part of a larger ecosystem to provide a one-stop solution for all user needs.

- Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Occupany & Vacancy Sensors

Occupancy & vacancy sensors are small devices designed to detect the presence of a person in a room and accordingly adjust the physical space to the optimal state. These sensors control light, shade and temperature depending on the presence of people, time of day and general weather conditions. Not only is this unique technological invention trendy and appealing due to the lack of effort required to operate the various installments in a room but it is also an ecologically friendly and cost efficient investment.

Now let's see how these sensors have a positive impact of your finances and the environment. From a young age we are told to turn off lights and fans when we leave the room, but how many of us actually remember to do this? Now, it might seems like this is not a large enough concern for many but when we think about centrally air-conditioned spaces where we spend most of our time such as offices, malls, restaurants do you really think about asking someone to turn the temperature of the AC down or turn of the lights when you leave the bathroom? These costs that where always considered fixed are what occupancy and vacancy sensors attempt to reduce, not to mention the positive environmental impact! The occupancy and vacancy sensor can even play a impactful role in residential situations. The light sensors can prove to be crucial in housed with small children to ensure safety, during the evenings and at night, as well as responsible use of electricity. Let's admit it. Children never turn off the light! 

While Occupancy sensors have been around for some time, what has changed is the way they operate and the technology they adopt. For e.g the earlier motion sensors worked on  passive IR Technology where in a major motion was required between the various IR rays emitted by the sensor- for the sensor to detect presence. While these worked fine with places such as hallways and pantry areas, they failed where the motion was very small- such as when a person occupies the office or uses the bathroom. The latest technology sensors are able to detect even minor motion and hence will generally not turn the lights off when you are sitting still and working on your lap top (say). In fact this ability to detect even minor motion could be the main reason for pricing differences, in addition to the sensor coverage areas and the technology they use to function.

Anusha Technovision offers the Radio Power occupancy Wireless sensor through its partnership with Lutron which is equipped with the best technology within the occupancy and vacancy sensor market at the moment complete with daylight sensing ability – for homes as well as for commercial office spaces. These sensors can be stand alone or part of a larger Lighting control system. When they are part of the lighting control system they can be made intelligent  for e.g a home owner could decide that his bathroom lights should turn on every time he walks into the bath room but it should happen only at night time , and in day time he has to manually turn lights on. The sensor of course turns lights off when the bathroom is unoccupied.  “Occupancy sensors can be called the foot soldiers in the fight to conserve energy.” As per Alok Hada Director ATPL.

Voice Controlled System - Amazon Alexa (Part 2)

Contd...

So who can do all this setup for you?

It's us!  Anusha Technovison (ATPL) can configure your ALEXA with an existing home automation system. And once done, you can call for different lighting moods, play a specific channel on your TV, control your shades, turn on/off your HVAC; in simple words, control each and every thing under the system with just a mere voice command, making life simpler than ever.

We can configure each and every command as per your choice of specific words. Once you get used to the command/quirks, using ALEXA feels much more natural and responsive than speaking to a phone-based voice assistant like Apple’s Siri. As a result, you are likely to find yourself using your phone less frequently when you’re at home.  If you thought the transition from flipping light switches to pressing smartphone buttons was game-changing, then letting ALEXA control your things will be even more satisfying in a true-geek way. And after a use of one-two months, if you need any tweaks, we provide a complimentary visit for a final setup of all your ALEXA commands. Not only do we provide training to control your home but we will also teach you, how using the sound of your voice, you can use ALEXA to search the Web, create to-do shopping lists, shop online, get instant weather reports, and control popular smart-homeproducts—all while your phone stays in your pocket.

However, we firmly believe that ALEXA isn’t a comprehensive smart-home system. It won’t replace a well-programmed graphic user interface on your Ipad or iPhone, it won’t allow for complex integrations of multiple devices (“turn the lights green when rock music plays in the kitchen” is not a valid command), and it won’t always be the most practical means of interacting with your other devices. Rather, we should think of it as an interface for your smart home, that provides additional means of control and functionality that an app on your phone can’t. Which makes it an easier product to rely upon!

Smart Lighting Control System

Smart Lighting Control System is an intelligent lighting control Solution. It is an important aspect of our daily life. Light control would allow the ability to regulate the level and quality of light in each space for specific tasks or situations. Controlling light properly not only enhances the experience, it helps to save energy by using light when and where it is needed most.

Smart Lighting control systems features:

a)     Time Clock facility–The house owner could schedule the turning ON/Off the Lights/curtains based on normal/Astronomical time clock.

b)     Occupancy/Vacancy-Many building spaces remaining unoccupied between 40% and 70% of the day, lights left on are a real energy drain. occupancy/vacancy sensors automate the switching and dimming of those lights, saving energy and money.

c)      Daylight availability Amount of daylight that enters a space is an important aspect of  light control. Electric lighting energy use can be adjusted by automatically dimming  and/or switching     electric lights in response to the level of available daylight.

    d)   Mood Lighting Facility – This gives the power to enhance the beauty of any area with the variety of customized lighting scenes (e.g. TV, Relax, Meeting etc.).

    e)    Alarm conditions-Alarm conditions typically include inputs from other building systems such as the fire alarm or HVAC system, which may trigger an emergency 'all lights on' or ' all lights flashing' command for example.

Benefits of Smart Lighting ControlSystem:

     -  The major advantage of a lighting control system over  conventional  manual switching is the ability to control individual lights or groups of  lights of the house from any location with a single user interface   (Keypad,  i-pad/i-phone etc.) device.

     -   Now, we can also control the lighting system with Voice Command, e.g.-   Alexa

     -   Each button on Wired or wireless keypad is custom engraved with    button functionality to make it user friendly.

     -   A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption and reduced electricity bill too.
      - A room may have multiple scenes pre-set, each one created for different activities in the room

       - A major benefit of lighting control systems is reduced energy consumption

       - Longer lamp life is also gained when dimming and switching off lights when not in use

       -  Wireless lighting control systems provide additional benefits including reduced installation costs and increased flexibility over where switches and sensors may be placed.

         

        It adds the comfort, enhance the beauty of interior and conserve the energy!

Smart Bathroom (Part 2)

What's in Store?

With a lot of technological advancements, there are a few products which have made a mark in this field and have done extremely well.

1. HomeWorks system provides convenient, intelligent and sophisticated control of your home's lighting and shades, and can be integrated with security and audiovisual systems. In addition to enhancing your lifestyle, HomeWorks Architectural and Designer style controls can also enhance your décor and complement your home. Centralized dimming panels can be used to provide control of multiple zones of light in a room or throughout your home from a single keypad.

2. Agath mirror TVs are the latest generation flat, waterproof television sets for bathroom and spa. It’s unique design needs no ventilation. In fact if one wanted to change anything (lighting, music, or even water temperature) you could do that with the touch of a button or from your smart phone or even better call out and have the voice commands be given to the Automation system that obeys like an obedient servant, only one that never takes leave! Something that replenishes the toilet roll automatically, tells me If I forget my towel and even better hands the towel  out to me. Tells me If I need to have fresh blades for my razor and if the soap and shampoo stock in the bathroom is about to get over, it automatically orders it from my grocery store!

Smart Bathroom (Part 1)

Smart technology- does not mean you need to be a smart user! It means technology that makes use of products - easier and more convenient. In a bathroom specifically, while bathroom fittings are increasingly focusing on turning this mundane activity of a daily shower or use of the toilet, into a more relaxing and even enjoyable experience, we are moving to the world where comfort and luxury and technology are all intertwined, and the bathroom is one area in the house that is important and for some even central to this concept.

Smart Bathroom  is one that could turn the lights on as soon as you enter it. It would be intuitive enough to know if you entered during the night or day and adjust the lighting accordingly. It would play your favorite FM channel /music as soon as you started your daily bathroom activity. It would have the temperature of the water to just the right level for you. The toilet seat would become warm in winters and cool in summers. These are some of the technological advancements that have changed the very face of the bathrooms today.

In the past, a bathroom was a small, bog-like standard room. It was known for being one of the last places homeowners would renovate, but that is no longer the case. The bathroom is becoming a highly valued part of the home. Because of this, more homeowners are making improvements to their bathroom decor, accessories and appliances. Nowadays, many improve or renovate their bathrooms for relaxation and hygiene purposes.