Embracing the Art of Smart Home Automation in NYC

In a city where every second counts and space is at a premium, integrating smart home technology into your NYC abode is a game-changer for anyone interested in living a more luxurious, automated lifestyle.

Just imagine how much easier life would be…

Opening and closing blinds. Turning lights on and off. Making sure the house isn’t too hot or cold. Locking and unlocking doors. Preheating the oven. Opening and closing garage doors. Checking security footage.

All at the touch of a button – or sound of your voice.

The thing about smart home automation is that it transforms the way you interact with your living space – instilling a sense of convenience, comfort, predictability, and peace of mind into your day-to-day routine.

It’s the modern way of living – and it’s luxury at its finest.

And with technology growing more and more accessible by the day, smart home automation is becoming more and more of a reality to millions of people living in New York City – and your home could be next!

Actuators, Sensors, & Remotes: Everything That Comes With a Smart Home

Smart home automation is all the rage today, but did you know this type of technology is actually 50 years old? It’s true – in fact, the beginning of modern-day smart home technology can be traced back to 1975.

That was the year Pico Electronics released X10.

X10 was a home automation device that was connected to your home’s electrical wiring. It gave users the ability to control certain devices like lights, appliances, and alarm/security systems from a remote location.

Of course, that was well before we were introduced to the internet, bluetooth, and wireless connectivity.

Today, most smart home systems consist of three things – actuators, sensors, and remote controls.

Actuators are devices that execute actions or control mechanisms based on commands received from a control system. In other words, they convert electrical signals into physical actions.

Actuators are the ‘hands’ of your smart home system – they’re the ‘doers’ of the group. Examples of smart home actuators include smart locks, motorized blinds, smart thermostats, and smart plugs/outlets.

Sensors are devices that detect and measure physical properties or environmental conditions and transmit this information to other devices or control systems to customize the environment.

If actuators are the ‘hands’ of your smart home system, then sensors are the ‘eyes and ears.’ Examples of smart sensors include motion sensors, temperature sensors, light sensors, and water leak sensors.

Remote controls are devices or interfaces that allow users to manually control their smart home devices, often wirelessly. Without the remote control, the actuators wouldn’t know what to do.

If actuators are the hands and sensors are the eyes and ears, then remote controls would be the brain. Examples of smart home remote controls include smartphones, tablets, mobile apps, and computers.

Together, these three technologies give any homeowner full control of their smart home system from anywhere inside or outside the home – whether you’re on your way to work or away on a vacation.

4 Ways We Can Make Your Home Smarter, Better, & More Efficient

At PSE Audio-Visual, we believe every New York City home should be harnessing the power of smart home technology. After all, this is the city that never sleeps – and your home shouldn’t sleep, either.

Well, with our help, your home won’t have to.

Just imagine if all those small, simple tasks you do throughout the day – opening and closing blinds, turning lights on and off, controlling your HVAC settings – were customized and automated to your liking.

Life would be a little more streamlined, don’t you think?

With smart home technology, you can experience an entirely new level of convenience inside the home. It’s like having your own personal butler, but without the daily expense and extra person in the house.

If you’re still not convinced, here are four ways smart home automation can change your life for the better.

1. Motorized Shades

Some people need an energy drink or a shot of espresso to wake up in the morning, but not those with a strong circadian rhythm – all they need is a little bit of sunshine and natural light to get them moving.

But that’s not to say waking up is easy for those people.

For example, there’s still the struggle of having to get up and open the blinds every morning – which can be quite the chore if you have a lot of windows in your living space, or if you’re too lazy to get up and do it.

Don’t worry – that’s what Lutron motorized shades are for:

Light sensors detect when the sun is rising (in the morning) and setting (in the evening).
The sensors tell the motor to open or close, depending on your preferences.
You can change your preferences in the smart home app or with the controller.

If you wake up later in the day, you can program your motorized shades to open and close at certain times of the day – and can also have special settings for special moments (dates, movie nights, etc.).

2. HVAC Control

We all have an ideal temperature that we like our homes to be at, but it’s normal for that ideal temperature to fluctuate throughout the day – especially since most of us have unpredictable day-to-day lifestyles.

One minute you’re sweating your tail off from mowing the lawn

The next minute you’re snuggling up in a blanket watching a movie.

If you’re constantly running hot and cold throughout the day, then you’re probably tired of having to get up and turn the air conditioning or heating on and off every hour, but that’s not necessary in a smart home.

Temperature sensors detect when the home gets too cold or too hot.
The sensors tell the thermostat to turn the AC or heating on or off.
You can customize the settings to your liking via the smart home app.

Let’s say you just got done with an intense workout at the gym. Instead of walking into a warm home, you can turn your air conditioning on in the app – ensuring it’s cool and comfortable by the time you get there.

3. Lighting Systems

How many times have you left for work in the morning just to realize five minutes later that you forgot to turn the kitchen light off? Or even worse, forget to turn the garage light off before leaving for a vacation?

It might seem like a small and honest mistake, but it adds up when that energy bill comes.

With smart home automation, you can control any light in your home from anywhere in the world – so long as you have access to your phone or the internet. Just like that, forgetting doesn’t seem so bad after all.

But that’s just the beginning of what your smart lighting can do for you.

Motion sensors detect when someone is entering or leaving a room.
The sensors tell the lights to turn on or off, depending on the settings.
You have full control of the lights directly in the app – no matter where you are.

Whether you’re 3,000 miles away on a vacation when you suddenly realize you left the lights on or laying in your bedroom and too lazy to get up to turn the light off, smart home technology has you covered.

4. Home Security

Forgetting to turn the lights off is one thing, but forgetting to lock your front door or close your garage door is a completely different story – whether you plan on being gone for 30 minutes, two hours, or two weeks.

Either way, the chances of someone breaking in are high.

And you can say ‘It won’t happen to me’ all you want.

But the reality is it can happen to you – and it might.

With smart home automation, you can throw all those worries out the door because it gives homeowners full control of their home security system – from the locks to the garage door, cameras, and alarm system.

Here’s just a glimpse of what it can do for you and your family:

Sensors can detect movement, doors opening, and glass breaking.
The sensors trigger an alarm when something doesn’t seem right.
You can use your smartphone to check security cameras and lock/unlock doors.

Imagine the peace of mind knowing your home is always watching, ready to alert you to any unusual activity. Whether it's a package delivery, curious critter, or unexpected visitor – you're always in the know.

PSE Audio-Visual: NYC’s One-Stop Shop for a Smarter Home

Are you a sucker for new technology? Do you dream of a day when your home starts working with you – not against you? Have you been dreaming of a smart home with all the latest gadgets and features?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of those questions above, then you’ve come to the right place.

Welcome to PSE Audio-Visual – where your new smart home is just one phone call away.

Whether you're dreaming of voice-activated lighting, intelligent climate control, blinds that open and close on their own, or a top-of-the-line security system, our team of expert technicians will make it happen.

It's time to embrace the future and let your NYC home do the work for you.

From cozy apartments to sprawling townhouses, we'll tailor a smart home solution that fits your lifestyle perfectly. Contact us today at (347) 460-4590 or schedule a consultation online to receive a quote ASAP!