Which home automation system is best?

It’s no surprise that home automation is becoming increasingly popular in the UK. But Which home automation system is best? Read on to find out.
Luke Emmott | 17th Sep 2024

Intuitive, convenient, and secure, it’s no surprise that home automation is becoming increasingly popular in the UK, with some forecasts predicting a substantial increase of 11.66 per cent (2024-2028) in the smart home market.

Due to the wide range of home automation systems, manufacturers, and technology, however, it can be a real challenge choosing the best full home automation system for your needs and lifestyle.

Fortunately, the highly experienced home automation design, delivery, and maintenance team at Modus Vivendi are on hand to help.

Below, we offer expert support to help you find the best home automation system in the UK for your property.

From explaining the difference between smart homes and home automation to highlighting some of the key factors to consider when choosing a home automation system, this ultimate guide includes all the information you could need to help you pick the best home automation system.

What is a home automation system?

Before we take a closer look at finding you the best smart home automation system for your property, it’s important to understand exactly what a home automation system is.

Put simply, a home automation system involves the automatic control of household functions, activity, and appliances via an electronic network within the building. Using this system, users can create, monitor, and trigger various household attributes, such as lighting, entertainment, and security.

This integrated building automation system is designed to make the user’s life easier and more enjoyable by using pre-programmed devices to meet their specific needs. Some of the main benefits of installing a home automation system is the convenience and money-saving capabilities.

Whether you want your lights to automatically dim at dusk or for your blinds to open themselves you wake up, a home automation system can help you to achieve these aims.

What is the difference between smart home and home automation?

Unsure what the difference is between home automation and smart home technology? These terms are sometimes used interchangeably as they involve similar technology and principles to automate certain tasks within a property, so any confusion you might have is understandable.

However, there are some key differences between them. The main difference between the two is that smart devices send and receive data from a central third-party server, whereas home automation systems tend to operate via a central unit and a series of sensors and actuators that are installed directly in the property.

This means that most smart home devices require an active internet connection to work, while home automation systems only need to be wired into the property’s electrics.

Typically, home automation refers to specific actions that have been scheduled or initiated remotely to make daily living more efficient, enjoyable, or convenient. For example, automatic door locking after a certain time, the raising of blinds when you wake up, or the activation of lighting when the sun goes down.

Smart homes, on the other hand, are composed of various devices and appliances that are interconnected, allowing them to communicate with one another. For example, if you connect a voice assistant like Amazon Alexa to compatible smart lighting, you can ask Alexa to turn off the lights.

While both systems have their individual benefits and can be used to automate certain tasks around a home or commercial premises, home automation focuses on whole-home integration, offering users more control over the property's functions.

Key factors to consider in home automation

Considering installing a home automation system? Before you make your decision, there’s a wide range of factors that you should take into consideration, including:

Compatibility and integration

If you have existing home devices and appliances, ensuring they are compatible with your home automation system is essential. Without compatibility, you’ll need to manage your devices separately which defeats the purpose of a convenient home automation system.

Opting for a system that can be easily integrated with many different smart devices and brands is therefore recommended if you’re not starting from scratch.

Ease of use

Home automation systems should make your life easier, not harder. Instead of picking a more technical system which can be confusing for users, choosing a system with an intuitive interface can help to enhance the user experience and accessibility.

Some systems can be controlled via a control panel, while others can be easily accessed using a mobile phone application. No matter your preference, the controls should be easy to use and understand.

Security features and privacy concerns

A variety of security features, such as locks, motion sensors, and surveillance cameras, can all be included in your home automation system. It’s therefore understandable that users may have significant privacy and safety concerns.

When searching for a home automation system, most users prioritise systems with robust security features, such as encryption and secure access controls. Choosing a home automation system with these enhanced features and privacy protections can help to protect against hackers and other intrusions.

Energy efficiency

One of the primary benefits of installing a home automation system is the potential energy savings. These systems can help to reduce the energy consumption of your home by automatically turning off lights, controlling the heating and cooling systems, and switching off other electronic appliances.

Energy efficient home automation systems should be compatible with energy-saving technology like smart thermostats and LED bulbs, to help reduce your overall energy usage.

Budget

Your budget will naturally make a big difference to the type of home automation system you can install in your home or business. Those with smaller budgets, for example, may be limited to WiFi based home automation systems that only have control over certain appliances and activities.

With a larger budget, you can explore more expansive, multi-room hardwired systems that allow for greater functionality. Not only will you need to consider the cost of the system itself, but also the price of the installation and any subscription fees for additional services.

Reviews

As with all products and services, the power of reviews should never be underestimated. It’s well worth doing your research into reviews for the various home automation systems you’re interested in to help you make a more informed decision.

These reviews can be particularly useful for learning more about the usability of each system.

Installation

While setting up a smart home hub is generally straightforward and something most users can do themselves, installing a hardwired home automation system is often best left to the professionals for both safety and reliability reasons.

At Modus Vivendi, we’ll ensure your home automation system is installed correctly and efficiently by our fully qualified team. We can resolve a wide range of potential issues regarding device compatibility, wiring, integration and interoperability.

Scalability

It’s likely that your needs will naturally change over time as your family and lifestyle develops. This is where choosing a home automation system that’s flexible and easy to scale comes in handy. The best home automation systems are therefore those that allow you to add new devices and features with ease.

For example, if you decide to have children in the future, having the option of scaling up your home automation system to include the lights, heating, TV and blinds in their bedrooms may be desirable.

Top home automation systems

Tired of using multiple remote controls to turn on your lights, activate the heating, and play music?

With a home automation system, you can combine all these controls in one place –accessing it all either from your mobile device or a single user interface (such as in-wall and portable touch screen).

Based on some of the key home automation factors explored above, our expert team has highlighted some of the best home automation systems currently on the market.

Control4

Control4 Gold Dealer accredited, our expert team has plenty of experience installing these customisable, intuitive, and convenient home automation systems. Whether you want to control the shades, thermostat, or lights, it can all be accessed from the one app that’s compatible with both iOS and Android devices.

You can also add useful shortcuts that allow for easier access to all your most frequently used functions and appliances.

Creston Home

With a focus on wellness, Creston Home provides you with all the tools you need to create an environment that supports both your physical and emotional health. From controlling the lighting and shade to handling all your audio, temperature, and security needs, this home automation system boasts great scalability and offers complete control on one intelligent platform.

For your peace of mind, this system can also provide continuous feedback straight to the palm of your hand. Simply use your mobile device to see real-time camera views, and confirm the status of door locks, alarms, gates, and garages.

Lutron HomeWorks

Despite focusing solely on lighting and shading, the luxurious Lutron HomeWorks system is well-known for its powerful and flexible controls which can be set to automatically turn on at sunset or follow a time schedule.

From security to climate control, Lutron’s home automation system excels at combining reliable quality with innovative technology. Thanks to the sophisticated and intuitive controls, you can set the scene at the touch of a button.

What is the best home automation system?

Unfortunately, there’s no set answer to this question. Instead, it’s often more important to ensure you choose an appropriate installation company to properly appraise your individual requirements and provide expert guidance as to which home automation system is best for you.

At Modus Vivendi, we provide tailored advice to help all our customers fully assess both the benefits and areas to consider of some of the best home automation systems in the UK – including those from Control4, Lutron, and Creston.

We also recommend taking a ‘money no object’ approach if you’re looking to install the best high end home automation system for your property. This perspective ensures a comprehensive cabling infrastructure can be installed, allowing the system to grow and change with your family and lifestyle.

This also means that you can easily expand your home automation system to cover more rooms in the future. As we specialise in all areas of home automation, from design and installation to maintenance, you can rely on our professional team to help you choose the right system for your property.

How much does it cost to install a home automation system?

Costs for installing a home automation system will of course vary depending on your specific needs and personal preferences. For example, the more rooms that you want to include in your home automation system, the higher the installation price will be as more equipment, design work, and documentation will be required.

At Modus Vivendi, we believe that every home automation project has unique elements, so there’s no one-size-fits-all price. However, we’re more than happy to provide an estimated cost for your desired home automation system project – simply reach out to professional team at Modus Vivendi today!

Our team will always take your budget into consideration to ensure you receive maximum value for your money. We do this by focusing on key areas within your property that will provide you with the most day-to-day enjoyment and convenience.

High-end home automation systems

Searching for some of the best home automation systems in the UK? As leading audiovisual (AV) specialists in the UK, the Modus Vivendi team provides a tailored and professional service that elegantly transforms homes and commercial spaces alike into intelligent automated properties.

Operating in and around London and the Home Counties, we offer a first-class home automation service for both private and commercial clients in these areas. Since 2005, we’ve achieved a range of certifications and awards for our high-quality installations, so you can rest assured you’re in safe hands.

For your peace of mind, we’re also fully accredited by the leading international trade association for the smart home technology industry, CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association) and Control4 Gold Dealer accredited.

Alongside our various accreditations, you’ll also benefit from the expertise and invaluable insights of our strong creative team – a cohesive and experienced team that has worked with one another for more than a decade.

No matter the size, timescale, or budget of your home automation project, we’ll work with you to deliver a cutting-edge AV installation that doesn’t just meet your expectations, but exceeds them. To find out more about our reputation, experience, and expertise, please get in touch today.

Based in Kent, we welcome in-person visits, but you can also discuss your home automation requirements by calling us on 01622 685813 or sending your enquiry to [email protected].

 

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