Technology is not for its own sake but for easing daily life. Five ready-made scenes that work in every home.
When people hear 'smart home' most think of switching on a light from the phone. The real benefit lies in scenes that run with one tap or without any touch. A good scene is a system that remembers your daily routine for you and helps gently. Here are five scenes that work in almost every home.
1. Morning
Twenty minutes before your alarm the bedroom light starts at its lowest level, the blinds open halfway and bathroom heating kicks in. In the kitchen the smart plug connected to the coffee machine turns on. By the time you wake, the home is ready to greet the day.
2. Leaving
This scene starts with one tap as you go out or when the smart lock is locked: all lights switch off, thermostats move to eco mode, blinds half-close, plugs (iron, TV) switch off so they use no energy and the alarm arms. For the 'did I turn off the hob?' question a hob sensor gives a warning.
3. Movie night
Living room lights drop to 15 percent, the back LED strip turns warm white, the blinds close and the TV starts. Phone notifications are silenced. When the film ends the lights rise slowly.
4. Sleep
When you say 'good night' all lights go off, the door locks, door and window sensors arm and the bedroom drops to 20 degrees. If you get up at night, motion sensors light the way with a low-level warm white so you are not dazzled.
5. Holiday
While you are away, lights come on at random in the evening and blinds open and close at certain times of day. Flood and smoke sensors send notifications to your phone. You can create a time-limited door code for a carer or neighbour.
Tips for scene design
- Write down your living habits first and then choose the technology
- Make every scene understandable to all family members
- Keep physical switches working; you should be able to turn on the light even if the system fails
- Observe the scenes for the first month and fine-tune them
Ayvan engineers design these five scenes, and ones tailored to you, with you during installation.
Extra scenes for homes with children
In families with children, scenes such as 'Homework time' (desk light at full brightness, TV off), 'Bath time' (timed heating and ventilation) and 'Night light' are very useful. In the child's room lights dim slowly at bedtime and a gentle rise in light wakes them at school time.
In homes with elderly relatives, night-time pathway lighting and motion-sensor notifications against fall risk give the family peace of mind.