The technological advances of today are mind-boggling and amazing, and this extends to our very own homes. One incredible advancement as of late is that people can have access via their mobile devices to a home automation system from anywhere in the world.

What exactly is home automation? Home automation describes a home where nearly all programmable devices are set up around your home, such as sprinkler systems, thermostats, lights, electrical outlets, lights, door and window locks, security cameras, alarm system, heating and cooling systems, and more.

One of the greatest advantages of DIY home automation is how accessible it has become. You don’t need to be a tech expert or invest a fortune to get started. Many smart home devices are designed with beginners in mind, offering user-friendly interfaces and fairly simple installation processes. Whether you're interested in setting up a few smart lights or automating your entire home, there are affordable options available for most budgets.

As technology continues to evolve, so do the possibilities for home automation. The smart home market is growing fast, projected to be part of 33.2% of households by 2023. Recent trends like voice-activated devices, energy-efficient solutions, and advanced security systems have made it even easier to create a smart home tailored to your needs. In this post, we'll not only cover the basics of getting started but also provide practical smart home automation ideas and product suggestions to help you get started on your smart home journey.

Why DIY Home Automation?

DIY home automation projects add a lot of convenience and comfort to your life, but the benefits go on from there. These projects allow you to customize your home’s automation to suit your specific needs. There are many other great reasons to set up DIY home automation including:

Enhanced Convenience

There are so many ways to make our homes more convenient today and why not? With this technology, you can control nearly everything without having to get off the couch. Some may think that home automation is lazy, but we think it is practical and common sense.

By having everything run at the touch of a button or the sound of your voice, you can do multiple things at once, emulating the ‘being in two places at once" theory that most only dreamed of. Now it’s a reality with a DIY setup, and life can be easier and more productive than ever.

Adding Comfort to Your Life

With automated home features, it is possible to experience more comfort than ever before. Need the coffee turned on so that the last drop is brewed by the time you wake up? Set a timer. Are your bathroom tiles too cold for your feet in the morning? Set a timer to warm them before you wake up.

Controlling the volume of music as you make dinner or dimming lights from the sofa as a movie is about to begin will not solve the world's problems, but it will sure help ease any troubles your day has had.

Improved Security and Peace of Mind

Security cameras in and around your home that can be viewed via smartphone or other device can eliminate a lot of stress. Monitor your home remotely, receive alerts in case of any suspicious activity, and even automate your security system to deter potential intruders. It is no secret that thieves work hard when you aren't home, so keeping an eye on packages delivered or on your house in general offers peace of mind when you are away.

Increased Accessibility:

Another compelling reason to consider DIY home automation is the accessibility it offers to elderly or disabled users. Automation can make everyday tasks easier, from voice-controlled lighting to automated door locks, helping to create a more inclusive living environment. This expands the appeal of smart homes beyond just tech enthusiasts, making it a valuable addition to any household.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

Cost savings are another significant advantage of DIY home automation. Smart thermostats, automated lighting systems, and energy monitoring devices can help you optimize your energy consumption and reduce your environmental impact. There are lots of smart home devices, like air conditioners, that show you your energy consumption along with estimates of how much it is costing you to run the device at your current usage.

Cost Savings and Customization:

Beyond the savings you can get from the energy efficiencies of these devices, DIY projects can be more affordable than purchasing pre-made solutions. Taking a DIY approach means you can choose and install the exact components that fit your requirements, avoiding unnecessary costs.

Getting Started with DIY Home Automation

Setting up your own custom home automation systems can seem like a lot, but it may be simpler than you think. The process is about connecting different devices in your home so they can communicate with each other and with you.

System Components

The main components you’ll need to control most smart home setups include:

• Smart Hub*: The hub is the brain of your whole system. It is a central device that connects and manages all your smart devices.
  • Examples: Google Nest Hub, Samsung SmartThings Hub
• Sensors: These are the eyes and ears of your smart home. They are devices that detect changes in the environment, such as motion, temperature, or light levels. Examples include:
  • Motion sensors to detect movement
  • Temperature sensors to monitor room temperature
  • Water leak sensors to alert you of potential leaks and even automatically shut off the water supply using a solenoid valve
  • Door/window sensors to notify you if a door or window is opened
• Actuators: Devices that perform actions, such as turning on lights, adjusting thermostats, or opening valves.
  • Examples: Smart switches, smart thermostats, smart plugs
• Controllers: Devices that allow you to set up and interact with your system.
  • Examples: Smartphones, tablets, or voice assistants (e.g., Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant)

*Some home automation systems require hubs, especially those using ZigBee or Z-Wave technologies. Many modern IoT devices can connect directly to mobile applications through Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. deciding to set up a hub will depend on the complexity of your setup and the types of devices you plan to integrate.

How Home Automation Works

There are three main functions smart home systems can be broken down into…monitoring, control, and automation. We'll use a security camera (like a Nest) for this example, but you can perform these three levels from almost any home automation system.

1. Monitoring: Users can check on devices remotely by using an app. For example, many home security systems use a camera set at the front door so you can log in on your phone to see who is at your door.
2. Control: The user can remotely control the camera or device, like moving the camera to see the surrounding areas.
3. Automation: Automation is when devices are set up to trigger each other. For example, you can program the system so that you receive an alert on your phone or make a sound go off if the camera detects movement.

Home automation is run through a network of devices that connect to the internet via various communication tools, such as:

• Wi-Fi: The most common way for smart devices to connect to the internet.
• Zigbee and Z-Wave: Low-power wireless protocols designed specifically for home automation.
• Bluetooth: Another wireless technology often used for connecting devices within a short range.

Once connected, these devices can be controlled in several ways:

• Mobile Apps: Mobile applications allow the user to control a device remotely in real-time. They can shut off the light, unlock doors, or control heat settings. Most smart home devices come with their own apps that allow you to control them from your smartphone or tablet.
• Voice Assistants: Voice assistants use your voice as a means to control devices. Most IoT devices use voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. “Alexa, dim the living room lights to cinematic lighting.”
• Automation Routines: You can set up routines that trigger actions based on specific events or conditions. For example, you could have your lights turn on automatically when you arrive home or your thermostat adjust itself based on the time of day.

DIY Home Automation Ideas

You can find lots of fellow DIY people on sites like Instructables and Reddit that have automated and improved devices to work better, faster, turn on or help to protect their homes. Below you will find some basic, yet useful, DIY home automation ideas we've found on those sites that might work for you.

Smart Lighting

Adding smart bulbs to your home or smart switches to your existing lights is one of the ways to start when building a smart home. By automating your lights, you can enhance comfort, save energy, and even set the mood in any room.

Some easy smart lighting ideas?

Scheduling Lights to Turn on

It is not uncommon to return home, especially in the fall and winter months, once the sun has set, leaving you to stumble upon your doorstep in the dark and enter a darkened house. Set your lights to a timer so that they turn on at the same time each day. Scheduling light to turn on and off will also save you from keeping a light or two on and will save power. You can even use the GPS on your phone to automatically turn off lights when you leave your home or turn on when you're just a block away.

Mood Lighting and Dimmers

There are now color-changing light bulbs that will save money and set the mood for just about anything. These come with a remote, but you can also set up the lights to change when you open an app on your smart TV or by speaking a command to a smart speaker.

Adding a dimming feature on lights will also allow you to reset the tone of the room without getting off the cozy couch. Adjusting light with remote control is a great idea for date nights or movie nights when you forget to turn off the bright lights.

Automated Outdoor Lighting with Motorized Ball Valves

Enhance your outdoor space with automated lighting that turns on at dusk and off at dawn. Schedule a motorized ball valve to control the flow of water to a fountain or water feature, creating a beautiful night time display.

This is a fairly easy project to set up that combines the convenience of smart lighting with the precision and reliability of motorized ball valves.

Climate Control When You Are Out

Keeping the heat low when you are out is also a great money saver and convenient for you. Set your heat to turn down when you leave the house and have it turn back up when you’re on your way home. Just like we mentioned in controlling the lights above, you can set the heat to turn on/off at a specific time or have it triggered by your current location.

To control your heat and/or central air, you’ll need a smart thermostat installed. Modern Wi-Fi enabled window air conditioners and space heaters can also be controlled remotely and put on a schedule as well.

Make Your Garden Smart

Smart gardening has a range of levels for automation. You can start small by rigging up a system to water your plants on a regular schedule, or you can completely automate much of the process. There are now advanced sensors you can buy that will track soil conditions (pH, water, nutrient levels, etc.), air conditions (humidity, temperature, weather), and even recognize plant diseases and invasive insects.

How to set up a smart irrigation system:

• Automate Your Watering Schedule: Use a smart irrigation controller to set up watering schedules based on the weather, soil moisture, or specific plant needs. The simplest option is to set up a timer to turn water on and off at specific intervals.
• Integrate Automated Valves: Install solenoid valves and/or electric ball valves to control water flow in different zones of your garden. This allows for precise irrigation, reducing water usage and preventing overwatering.
• Remote Monitoring and Control: Manage your irrigation system from anywhere using your smartphone. Receive alerts if there are any issues, such as leaks or a dry spell, so you can take immediate action.

Brew Coffee in the Morning

How wonderful would it be to wake up each morning to the smell of freshly brewed coffee? Set your coffee pot to a timer and have your coffee ready to drink each morning as soon as you can stumble down the stairs.

Close Garage Door

Setting a timer to close your garage door would save you a huge amount of worry, especially at night. If you have laid in bed and wondered if you remembered to close the garage door, you are not alone. Setting your garage door to a timer would save that worry and the hassle of getting out of bed to check.

If your anxiety about the garage door being open happens when you drove away from home, you can also set up automations that close the door when your phone leaves a set GPS area. Security cameras like Nest can also be used to take a quick peek at the doors to make sure they are shut.

Shut Off Devices or Wi-Fi at Bedtime

Use DIY automation to silence phones, iPads, and other electronics at bedtime. Turn phones to silent and ensure your child is not hiding under the covers late at night playing Minecraft with automatic shut-off.

An automatic shut-off time can be set for Wi-Fi as well, so you know the kids are not staying up late playing video games. Shutting Wi-Fi down will also help prevent them from visiting inappropriate sites while you are not around.

Turn Security Cameras on Remotely

If you do not want the security cameras in your home running all the time, set them to turn on when the doors open and close. Once the sensors are triggered, that means someone is coming or going from the house.

This way, your cameras will not be recording you non-stop but are set to come on if motion is detected when you are away from home. This can also save on battery power so you don't have to worry about the camera being powerless when you actually need it.

Watering Indoor Plants

Tired of killing all of your houseplants because you never remember to water them? You’ll find some interesting setups on Reddit for regulating the watering schedule for your houseplants.

Some advanced systems will actually mix in nutrients or measure properties like pH levels to adjust with the help of small plastic solenoid valves.

Have Devices Turn on When You Enter a Room

Some home devices can be programmed to turn on or off whenever you enter or leave a room where they are. These are usually controlled by your smartphone or motion sensors and have a very sci-fi feel to a device responding to your presence. This can be anything like lights, music, or temperature control. If you really want, you can even program a round of applause so you can live your life like a sitcom star.

Keep Your Floors Clean

Back in the day, some of us thought we’d need Rosie from the Jetsons to keep our houses clean. Well today, the floors can be handled automatically now with smart vacuums and smart mops. These devices are getting more advanced and more affordable with the ability to schedule cleaning when you’re not home or after you usually cook dinner to keep your floors spotless.

Voice Control Your Home

Voice control is one of the most popular features of smart home technology, offering hands-free convenience and seamless integration with other devices. Check for certification like “Works with Alexa” or “Works with Google Assistant” to make this easier on yourself.

How to set up voice control at home:

• Centralize Control with a Voice Assistant: Connect all your smart devices to a central voice assistant, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. This allows you to control everything from lighting to security with simple voice commands.
• Use Simple Voice Commands: Use voice commands to turn lights on/off, adjust the thermostat, play music, check the weather, and much more.
• Create Voice-Activated Routines: Set up routines that activate multiple devices with a single command. For example, saying “Good Morning” could turn on the lights, start your coffee maker, and adjust the thermostat to your preferred morning temperature.

These DIY home automation projects are just the beginning. With each project, you can enhance your living space’s convenience, security, and energy efficiency, all while customizing your smart home to fit your lifestyle.

Components to Consider if Doing DIY Automation

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. If you are going to start getting into DIY home automation, consider purchasing the following:

Remember: Product compatibility with your chosen smart home platform is crucial. Always check for compatibility before making any purchases.

Quick Tips for Successful DIY Home Automation

• Start small and gradually expand your system.
• Choose a reliable smart home platform.
• Plan your projects carefully and gather all necessary materials.
• Follow instructions carefully and test your system thoroughly.
• Consider energy-saving automation ideas to reduce your environmental impact.
• Leverage online communities or forums for troubleshooting.
• Always prioritize security using strong, unique passwords for each device and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) where possible.
• Make sure all components are compatible with each other and with the chosen smart home platform.
• Consider investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system if your home is large or has dead zones where signals are weak.
• Label your devices in the app and keep a physical or digital record of your setup to make troubleshooting easier.
• Have fun and don’t be afraid to get creative with automation routines.

Additional Resources

For more information and inspiration, check out these resources:

• From Our Blog:
  • How to Automate and Remotely Control Valves at Home - A guide on integrating automated valve control into your home automation system
  • What is a Solenoid Valve? - This post explains the functionality and applications of solenoid valves, a key component in many automated systems
  • Brass vs. Stainless Steel Valves: Which Should You Use? - A detailed comparison of brass and stainless steel valves, helping you choose the best material for your specific home automation projects
  • IP Ratings Explained: What They Mean and Why They Matter - Learn about IP ratings and their importance in selecting the right components for your smart home, especially when dealing with outdoor or moisture-prone environments
• Around the Web:
  • Instructables - Home Automation Projects - A platform with detailed DIY projects shared by a community of makers.
  • Reddit - r/HomeAutomation - A subreddit discussing ideas, troubleshooting, and sharing experiences related to home automation.
  • Home Assistant Community - Support and ideas for users of the Home Assistant open-source home automation platform
  • SmartThings Community - A forum dedicated to users of Samsung’s SmartThings platform, offering tips and support
  • Consumer Reports - Guide to Smart Home Devices - Expert reviews and recommendations on the latest smart home products

Final Word

While it takes some research and equipment to set up your home automation system, it will save you time and perhaps money in the long run. Setting up your home as automated will save you peace of mind and may even be a little fun. The examples above are fairly basic and can get you ready for some more advanced automation ideas.

We’d love to see what kind of home automation projects you are up to. Email us with your setups, add them to reviews to any of our products you used, or tag us on Instagram @electricsolenoidvalves.