Accessible home automation for a smarter, energy efficient home or business

The home automation industry (or more accurately home and business automation) is booming. Home automation provides:

  • Convenience – the ability to control just about anything mechanical or electrical from anywhere, in one centralized control unit;
  • Time Efficiency – With our increasingly busy lifestyles, you can instantly generate a grocery list by inventorying your pantry and start cooking dinner on your way home from the market so it’s ready when you arrive.
  • Security – Imagine retracting your security screen, shutting off your security system and opening your gate or door for a delivery, all while on vacation;
  • Energy Efficiency – Turn off lights automatically; program your thermostat to work in conjunction with your interior shading or exterior screening, significantly lowering your energy consumption.

It’s no surprise that companies like Apple are making huge investments into improving their home automation technologies and applications. IControl, a firm that develops systems to monitor, connect and control equipment, has received a $100 million in grant monies from Apple for home automation research and development

Changing people’s behavior has proven to be a greater obstacle in home automation. While providing for a centralized control center is certainly convenient, if the person at the controls does not utilize a particular application, no benefit is gained. For optimal performance of a home automation system, more control needs to be given back to the system itself.

MaestroShield, a leading producer of hurricane and security protection, exterior screening and interior shading, has been a pioneer in the home and business automation industry and continues making giant strides in automation innovation. The tubular motor, the central component in all of MaestroShield’s product lines, is easily integrated with home automation systems such as Control 4 and Crestron. This makes the operation of their shutter and screen systems completely programmable, by virtue of time parameters and/or weather conditions.

For example, a home automation system can raise your thermostat to 80 degrees at 7:30am when you leave and simultaneously lower your exterior screens to keep the interior temperature cooler, further reducing energy usage. On a windy day, however, your exterior screen could be damaged when lowered. By integrating MaestroShield’s wind vibration sensor, your screens will automatically retract, protecting them from damage.

Other innovations in home and business automation from MaestroShield include:

Wind, Sun and Rain Sensor, which provides the user the ability to automatically raise or lower their sun screens and/or hurricane protection systems in appropriate weather conditions;
Maestro-Commander GSM, in which the user can control their screen and shade systems via a text message; and
Home Automation Conversion Interface, a component that integrates MaestroShield’s components with Control 4 and Crestron home automation systems.

For more information regarding home automation solutions for exterior screening, interior shading, or hurricane and security protection, please call +1-239-596-8883.