Somfy Home Automation
A lot of people are enquiring as to whether their Somfy RTS blinds can be integrated into our system. If you already have a good quality blind, and just want to take the next step to either automating the blinds, or combine them with an automated home, why should this cost so much?
As these motors only have an RF remote to operate them, usually Home Automation systems require a switch cable to control the motor. This would mean that your motor would need to be changed, and new wiring installed. Some adhoc workarounds can use a 433mhz rf module to open and close the blinds but not set them to positions in-between. Not to mention that setting these up can be difficult even for experienced users.
Well Lite Automation can help.
Our Somfy expansion module can allow you to add your blinds into a z-wave home automation system in about 5-10 minutes. Yes, you heard correct. It is as easy as connecting the 433mhz module to the Zipabox. Putting the Somfy remote in learning mode, clicking on the "add device" then "Somfy" icon in the Zipato control centre, wait for the inclusion and synchronisation, then change two values from percentages to how many seconds it takes for the blind to fully open and close. Did I say 10 minutes, well maybe on your first inclusion.
Watch this short clip to see how.
Somfy Automation with the Zipabox (click here)
Now you can adjust the opening position of your blind, from the USA if you want. You can also start to make your blinds "smart".
"What is a smart blind", you ask. A smart blind will close when it is hot outside, to help keep the house cooler. It will open in the morning to let in natural light, close at night or when you put the TV on. All done automatically without any input from you. And all this can be done with the addition of an inexpensive 4in1 sensor and the easy to use Puzzle Maker by Zipato.
Alternatively you could get a new motor, get an electrician to install this and run new cables to the blinds, use a protocol like Cbus and have a programmer come to site to program your system for you. All this will cost thousands and take a day or two with possible patching and painting of your walls. Wait, you already know this, that is why you are here. A smart blind for a smart person.
See our setup service here for us to come to you,
Here we show you how to include a new one button Zwave remote to control your blinds.