Blog

Do you want to add a touch of luxury to your technology? Switching from remotes to elegant touchpads is the first step, but what if your home automation system went even further? Allow yourself more freedom and efficiency with hands-off control. We can create a custom solution that takes advantage of sensors, scheduled scenes and voice control to make life easier in your Wilmette, Illinois home. Read on to find out how each of these features contributes to your smart home. 

SEE MORE: 7 Ways to Go Green With Smart Home Technology

Sensors

How many times have you found yourself having to walk back to a room after realizing you left the light on? Eliminate the problem entirely by installing occupancy sensors in every room. Lights will turn on when you walk in then turn off after the room has been unoccupied for some time. You can also have certain appliances or electronics automatically turn off in unused rooms. In your outdoor spaces, get better surveillance footage by having lights turn on as soon as unwanted activity is detected. Have walkways light up as you walk past to eliminate tripping hazards.

The other type of sensors you should include in your home automation system are photo sensors. These sensors are placed on windows and react to the amount of natural light available. Help your thermostat cool down by having shades automatically close when hit by direct sunlight. You can also save energy by having artificial lights turn off when natural light is available.

Although a lot of the information on smart home automation systems focuses on the convenience factor, smart technology can also have a significant return on investment. Through efficient use of all the technology in your Glencoe, Illinois home, you can reduce your carbon footprint and monthly energy bills. From lighting control to smart thermostats, here are some ways we can help you go green this year. 

SEE MORE: 3 Reasons to Upgrade to a Smart Home System

Change the Default Settings on Your Lights

With centralized control from a touchpad, tablet or smartphone, it's easy to make widespread adjustments. Except for some rare occasions, you don't need to have all the lights in your home at 100 percent intensity. You can dim each fixture from 100 to 90 percent to significantly cut down on your monthly energy use.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Another way to give your artificial lights a break is to embrace natural light. You can install photo sensors to gauge the amount of sunlight throughout the day. During the brightest times of day, your shades rise and your lights dim so you're not wasting energy.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Whether you’re trying to keep a large home cool in the summer or cozy in the winter, it takes a lot of energy for your thermostat to adjust the temperature. Smart technology helps in a variety of ways. For one, it’s easy to change the temperature in each room so you can spend fewer resources on those that aren’t being used. Turn up your thermostat when you’re not home and alert it when you’re on the way back so it can have the right temperature ready when you return.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and then it’s the home stretch until the winter holidays. There’s nothing more exciting than bringing friends and family together for a celebration, but there’s no denying it can be stressful for even the best of hosts. Avidia helps you focus on what matters most during the holidays by installing a smart home automation system in your Winnetka, Illinois home that helps you become the perfect host.

Prepare the Perfect Greeting

When it comes to hosting, you want every second to be memorable. Why shouldn’t that include the initial arrival? With lighting control, it is easier than ever to create a stunning Christmas display that will make your home stand out to guests. With smart control, you can remotely alternate the displays and colors you want to showcase.
When guests arrive, let them feel welcome. Have a pre-set scene in your system that activates when they pull into the driveway. Your pathway lights guide the way to the front door, the fountain or pool LED fixtures change color and you receive an alert on your phone to know the second someone’s arrived.

Enhance Your Favorite Entertainment

We know how heated the battle for the remote can get between watching football, putting on a movie or streaming music. Battle no longer with a home audio video system that lets you create specific entertainment zones which will not interfere with each other. You can listen to your favorite music in the kitchen as you prepare dinner while the family watches the game in the living room.