Home automation has emerged as a revolutionary solution for homeowners worldwide. Gone are the days of manual control over household devices; now, with the advent of smart technology, homes can be transformed into efficient, convenient, and secure living spaces. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone seeking to simplify your daily routines, home automation offers a range of benefits.   

Let’s dive into the three major reasons why every homeowner should consider embracing home energy management solutions.

Adapted to Your Preferences

Imagine arriving home after a long day at work to find your house already adjusted to your preferred settings – lights dimmed, thermostat set to the perfect temperature, and soothing music playing in the background. With home automation, this scenario becomes a reality.

Automated systems allow you to control various aspects of your home environment effortlessly, from lighting and climate control to entertainment systems and security cameras, all through a centralised interface like a smartphone app or voice commands. You can schedule routines to automate repetitive actions, such as turning off lights at bedtime or adjusting the thermostat based on your schedule. 

Improved Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

In an era of increasing energy costs and environmental concerns, home automation offers a convenient solution by optimising energy usage and reducing costs.

Smart thermostats, for instance, can intelligently regulate heating and cooling based on occupancy patterns and weather conditions, maximising efficiency without sacrificing comfort. Similarly, smart lighting systems employ sensors and timers to minimise electricity wastage by automatically adjusting brightness levels and turning off lights in unoccupied rooms. By leveraging automation to monitor and control energy-intensive devices, homeowners can significantly lower their utility bills whilst minimising their carbon footprint.

Increasing your Return from your Renewable Investment

If you have invested in solar, batteries or electric vehicles, smart solar inverter control systems, are a significant leap forward in maximising returns. Solar inverter control gateways enable inverters to participate in flexible export schemes, and allow for dynamic management of energy exports to the grid. This not only ensures that homeowners can sell excess solar energy at optimal times but also enhances grid stability and efficiency.

For Amber Electric customers, they also assist in avoiding negative feed-in-tariffs. For battery and EV owners, smart inverter control allows for more strategic charging and discharging practices, aligning energy consumption with peak solar production periods and favourable grid conditions. Consequently, this integration fosters a more sustainable energy ecosystem, where renewable resources are utilised more effectively, leading to better financial returns for households and contributing to the broader goal of reducing carbon footprints. Through such technological advancements, the full potential of solar investments is realised, encouraging the wider adoption of renewable energy solutions.

Our Step-by-Step Guide to Setup a Smart Home

Setting up a smart home can be an exciting adventure, and we're here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you're new to the world of smart devices or looking to enhance your existing setup, here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Identify Your Needs   

Start by identifying areas in your home where you'd like to introduce smart technology. Whether it's energy management, security, entertainment, or convenience, knowing your priorities will guide your choices. List out all the things you’d like to manage such as appliance control, energy/heating control or security/safety. For example, instead of going for regular light bulbs, go for smart bulbs that can be automated for convenience and efficiency. Need more security? Get a smart camera installed or install your own to monitor your home or your pets around the clock, providing an extra layer of protection and peace of mind. Pick the devices that will have the maximum impact for you. Use our Smart House Infographic for inspiration.   

Step 2: Choose a Smart Hub  

A smart hub acts as the central control point for your smart devices. Choose one that aligns with your preferences and existing devices. Google Home Hub or an Amazon Echo, for example, act as a central hub, connecting various devices and providing voice control for things like lights, thermostats, and smart plugs.  

Step 3: Embrace Energy Efficiency  

Smart homes are all about efficiency and automation! The best way to ensure your smart setup is saving you money is to explore energy-efficient solutions with devices like smart thermostats such as the Voltello AirFlex, which can optimise your home's heating and cooling based on your preferences. You can even think of getting smart plugs that control the power supply to energy hungry devices like pool filters, managing energy usage efficiently. To elevate the entertainment experience, integrate smart lighting systems that can be controlled with your smartphone or voice commands. Additionally, a voice-activated smart speaker can be a great addition, providing hands-free control over music, news, and more.  

Step 4: Personalise Your Automation  

Lastly, now that you’ve made all the arrangements and you have all the devices you need, it’s time to set up the automation so that they can function exactly the way you want them to.  

As an example, you can create automation routines to make your devices work together effortlessly. For instance, set up a "Good Morning" routine that adjusts your thermostat, turns on lights, and provides a news update. Or use voice commands on devices like the Google Home to trigger automation, such as a "Bedtime" routine that locks doors, turns off lights and puts appliances into standby.  

Now that your smart home is all set up, don't forget to keep yourself informed about the latest smart home trends and updates, so you get to test all the new features and upgrades as they roll out.  

Our Best Recommendations

Smart Home Powerhouse Duo: Voltello AirFlex & LinkZB for Maximum Savings!

Voltello AirFlex

Voltello AirFlex, a smart thermostat for split-system reverse-cycle air conditioners, is designed to revolutionise the way you experience home comfort while optimising energy usage.

Let's see a glimpse of how it can benefit you.

Features

  • Synced

    Synced with your Amber Electric buy price, Voltello AirFlex ensures your air conditioner operates efficiently, leveraging low prices to cool or pre-cool your home during cost-effective periods.

  • Tailored

    Tailor your comfort and savings with the 'Aircon for Amber' automation plan. Adjust your aircon temperature based on your Amber buy price, staying in control and within your comfort zone.

  • Real-time

    Real-time Control with Voltello App: Manage your aircon and other appliances effortlessly using the Voltello app. Gain insights and make real-time adjustments from the palm of your hand.  

  • Compatibility

    Whether you have a new or old aircon, if it has a remote it’s compatible with AirFlex, offering ease of use across various models.

  • Set & Forget

    Set your preferred temperature range and automation preferences using the Voltello app, ensuring personalised comfort without compromising savings

Smart Strategies Employed by Voltello AirFlex for Savings!

1. Pre-heating and cooling is a strategic approach to use your air conditioner efficiently and economically. Here's how it works with Voltello AirFlex:  

  •  Strategic Temperature Adjustments: Voltello AirFlex lets you set your preferred temperature range and lets you choose whether to pre-cool your space. During low-priced energy periods, AirFlex will ensure your home is comfortably cool without soaring costs. 
  •  Sync with Price Trends: You can set your pre-cooling price point to make the most of Amber's dynamic pricing. Voltello AirFlex intelligently adapts to price fluctuations, helping you maximise savings while keeping your home comfortable.  
  •  Voltello App Insights: Utilise Voltello’s companion app, Linkit+, to gain insights into optimal aircon performance. Set schedules and monitor filter health and more. 

2. Force Off During Price Spikes: Enable the Force Off feature during periods of high energy prices to avoid unnecessary consumption. Voltello AirFlex helps you make informed decisions to minimise costs during peak times. 

Learn More about Voltello AirFlex

Voltello LinkZB

LinkZB is an advanced smart inverter control gateway that seamlessly connects with your solar inverter.  By monitoring real-time pricing data and grid signals, LinkZB can automatically curtail your solar power export during periods of grid strain or negative FiTs. Think of it as a smart switch that prevents you from getting penalised or charged for sending excess solar energy back to the grid.

Learn More about LinkZB

Features

You can automate efficiency by using LinkZB.

Tailored for Flexible Export or Amber Electric customers, it revolutionises home energy management by enabling control and optimising solar exports to meet flexible export requirements or avoid export costs. The key features include:  

  • real-time inverter response 
  • grid edge decisions 
  • export cost reduction 
  • a user-friendly app with a 2-year subscription, and 
  • compatibility with multiple inverter brands.  

Its easy DIY installation, multi-inverter support, real-time data insights, and extensive communication options make it a cost-effective, efficient solution for advanced home energy management. 

Maximise the financial benefits of your solar investment and let LinkZB do the work.

Take a personalised product recommendation quiz below to find a solution that fits your lifestyle, needs, and preferences:

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