The benefits of automatic sunshades and weather sensors

Optimise the Indoor Climate

Energy saving in the home can be achieved in many ways. You could say that everyone is engaged in it to some degree. You can find a lot about this on the internet and in magazines. However, when it comes to temperature and comfort in the home and the role of our windows and doors, there is still much to be gained. After all, windows and doors are like 'holes' in the facade where warm and cold air from outside can potentially flow inside. The solution is often to cover them with, for example, sunshades, which keep the indoor climate pleasant for longer. In the summer, you want to maintain a comfortable temperature, and in the winter, you want to use the sun's warmth to heat your home. Sunshades can play a significant role in this.

To manage this well, we increasingly use external and internal sunshades such as roller shutters, screens, roller blinds, horizontal blinds, and curtains. The basic properties of a sunshade are well known in terms of thermal, visual, and sound insulation. However, external sunshades insulate better than internal ones. Also, the material of the sunshade, the fabric or the slats, and even the colour of the finish matter. Technically, a lot has changed and improved since the first sunshades hit the market. Our advice is to visit your local sunshade dealer and get well informed.

A sunshade works very well to counter rising temperatures in the house. But of course, this only works if we lower the sunshade on time on a sunny day. If we leave home in the morning and forget to close the screens or roller shutters, the sun has free rein for the rest of the day. The temperature will quickly rise.

By applying automation, you gain better control over the indoor climate. An electric motor integrated into the sunshade or roller shutter and operation via a remote control already offers an ultimate feeling of luxury, especially with multiple sunshades. This is mainly a comfort advantage. Automation goes a step further.

The Sun Sensor

It becomes more interesting when you expand the installation with a sun sensor. Somfy sun sensors optimise the use of your roller shutters and sunshades by automatically responding to sunlight. When strong sunlight is detected, the sensors lower the roller shutters and sunshades after a programmed interval. When the sunlight threshold values are not exceeded, for example, during persistent cloudiness or twilight, the sensors raise the sunshades and roller shutters again. This helps to keep the indoor temperature constant and save energy.

The Temperature Sensor

A temperature sensor ensures that your roller shutters and sunshades work regardless of whether the sun is shining or behind the clouds. They measure the temperature in the house, for example, in a conservatory or on your terrace. When certain threshold values are exceeded, the sensors send a control signal to the sunshades so that the screens lower on time. This will slow the rise in temperature in the house, so the air conditioning does not have to kick in or only much later.

The Benefits of a Smart Home System

A central control system such as Somfy TaHoma connects all your smart devices and makes operation easy. Whether you're at home or on the go, you can control everything with the push of a button via your smartphone. This system also offers integration with other brands, increasing flexibility. Somfy sensors are seamlessly integrated into the TaHoma system, giving you insight into the climate situation in your home at any time. But that's certainly not all...

By combining different devices in scenarios, your life becomes even easier. Somfy TaHoma can be connected to almost 300 different devices from Somfy and partners such as Sonos, Philips, Yale, and voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. This allows you to enjoy daily more safety, energy efficiency, and comfort through voice control and smart scenarios.

With these tips, you can further improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home. Make use of Somfy's innovative solutions and experience the convenience and savings that a smart home has to offer.

Want to know more? Check out the page 'Cool home, ultimate comfort' to discover how the Thermal Comfort functionality in the TaHoma app works. Or better yet, get extensive information from a local Somfy dealer. You'll get an explanation and a demonstration right away.