There’s a smart everything these days.
Smartphones. Smart TVs. And now… smart blinds.
But why would anyone NEED automated window covers? Opening and closing them doesn’t take a lot of energy… right? And they’re definitely not an inconvenience… until you finally get to sit down to watch your favourite show only to have the sun in your eyes or casting a glare on the TV, causing you to get up yet again to close your blinds.
Not only is your reluctance to make the switch costing you your sanity, it could also be costing you money.
What are smart blinds?
They’re just like regular window coverings except you let a home automation platform, like Alexa or Google Home, handle the not-so-heavy lifting for you. Gone are the days of trying to remember if you pull the cord right or left to raise your blinds. You can let the sunlight stream in or block it out with the press of a button from the comfort of your bed or couch.
There are two ways you can use them: upgrade your current window coverings or buy completely new motorized smart blinds. Upgrading your existing blinds doesn’t have to be complicated. You simply connect your home automation system or use a remote and battery operated device to connect to the cord or chain of your blinds or curtains.
Most smart blinds can be set to a schedule. If you wake up at the same time every day, you can program your window coverings to open when your alarm goes off. You can also program them to close when you leave for work.
Are automated window coverings worth the investment?
You don’t have to have a home full of the latest tech gear to take advantage of motorized blinds.
They’re a wise investment if you enjoy comfort and efficiency in your everyday life, especially if you have tall windows or windows that are high up/difficult to reach.
If you have children and/or pets, you’ll be investing in more than convenience: you’ll be investing in their safety. Kids are rambunctious and get into everything they can. Cords and strings pose a safety hazard, especially blinds with bead chains are the most dangerous for children and your pets.
If those still aren’t good enough reasons to make the switch, consider looking at how smart blinds can help you reduce your hydro bill each month.
How do smart blinds save energy?
When the temperatures drop, the sunlight that streams through your windows can help warm up your home naturally so you don’t have to depend on oil or gas as much. If you program your window coverings to open in the mornings, you won’t have to worry about doing it yourself or cranking your thermostat. When the sun goes down, you can program your blinds to close to keep the heat in.
If you’re a fan of brightly lit rooms and not paying a ton of money to get that result, programming your blinds to open in the morning is a perfect way to start your day with natural light. As the day goes on, you can have the west-facing window coverings programmed to open to give you perfect reading or working light.
While Canadian winters are cold, the summers can be almost unbearably hot. When the temperatures begin to skyrocket, the sunlight coming through your windows can heat up your house excessively, causing your air conditioning system to work harder than usual. Setting your shades to close based on temperature, the amount of light coming in, or sunrise/sunset times will prevent the sun from heating your home when you don’t want it to.
Are smart blinds right for me?
Making the switch to motorized window coverings can come with a large price tag, so it’s natural to be a little wary before making the jump. The best thing to do is talk to our team of experienced electricians who will help you understand all of your options.