The smart home thinks for itself - or at least can be persuaded to do so. Because in the smart home, almost everything that has a power connection can be networked. We press the wall display and, at the touch of a button, the most intelligent scenarios your four walls have ever seen are switched on throughout the house. From a sophisticated security system to an atmospheric start to the day that puts a smile on the face of even the last morning grouch at sunrise.
Want inspiration for your own smart home? You can get it here.
Smart devices not only make life more convenient, but often also safer, more energy-efficient and more entertaining. Anyone who has ever experienced how their home can be organised by a voice assistant or controlled remotely from their holiday will soon be faced with the question: what else is possible? After all, there are far more options for using the smart home creatively than just smart lighting control via the wall display . We have put together a few unusual smart home ideas for you.
Instead of buying an expensive alarm system, you can simply build your own smart security system. For example, you can use the motion sensor Shelly BLU Motion and the Shelly BLU Door/Window. You then connect them to the Smart Control app via the small Shelly Gateway or a Shelly Plus, Pro or Gen3 device (except sensors), programmed the desired scene and you're done. If a movement is detected at night or a window is opened, your smart security system will notify you via a light alarm, the voice assistant and a push notification from the app - simple and cost-effective.
Help is on the way at the touch of a button. With the Shelly Tough Button 1 , you can easily retrofit a smart emergency button. The robust button can be taken anywhere and is always ready to hand when you need it. It communicates with the Shelly app via Bluetooth and a corresponding gateway. Here you can customise the scenarios that are to be triggered when the button is pressed: a push message to your loved ones' smartphone, a light alarm or a message via the voice assistants throughout the house. This ensures that the alarm is not overheard or overlooked - no matter where you are.
Sometimes it's the little things that make your home really clever - for example, when a night light automatically switches on when you open the door in the evening without having to dance in front of the motion sensor. Simply attach the Shelly BLU Door/Window sensor to the door and connect it to the smart actuator of your lighting control system - for example a Shelly 1 Gen3. Now you can create the desired scenarios in the app to control your light remotely : Door open, light on. Door closed, light off. This way you can use a reliable and energy-efficient night light and never be left in the dark again.
Unnecessary standby consumption? Not in the smart home. The Shelly 1PM can help with this, for example. If it has been installed behind the switch or socket by a electrical professional, you can pair it with the Wall Display and control your devices remotely. As the 1PM also measures power consumption, it recognises standby mode and switches off the entertainment system at night, for example. This is achieved via scenarios: If the consumption falls below 13 watts for two minutes, the TV wall is in standby mode and the 1PM switches off the power supply. If you need the power again, all you need to do is press a button on the wall display or ask the voice assistant.
Smart home also works in the camper. For example, you can use the Shelly Plus Uni to precisely monitor and control the battery voltage of your caravan or motorhome power supply. The sensor measures the voltage directly at the battery and automatically triggers scenarios depending on the value. If the voltage drops below 11.5 volts, you will receive a notification on your mobile phone before it becomes critical. If the value falls below 12 volts, the connected charger, which you have connected via a Shelly 1 Gen3 in the supply line of the camper, starts up. If the voltage rises above 14 volts, the charging process is stopped again thanks to clever scenarios.
Even if no-one is at home, potential burglars can make it look as if they are not. In the smart home, you can simulate your presence very easily and much more realistically than with a timer. You define clever scenarios for the smart security system that switch the lights on and off at certain times and raise the blinds in the morning and lower them again in the evening - just like in everyday life. The sequences can even be varied slightly to create a more authentic impression. For example, you can use the Shelly 1PM to switch the light control. The Shelly 2PM Gen3 can be used for roller blinds.
When the doorbell rings, it's not just the bell that responds, but the entire smart home. You can install the Shelly Plus Uni to connect the doorbell. It recognises when the doorbell button is pressed and starts the desired scenarios: A push message is sent to your smartphone, the smart light control in the entrance area switches on and the voice assistants inform you with the friendly announcement: "The doorbell has rung." A simple but effective extension that ensures that no visitor goes unnoticed - whether you're working in the garden, wearing headphones or not at home at all.
Running to the basement again even though the washing machine isn't ready yet? That's annoying. But there is a smart solution to save you unnecessary runs. With the Shelly Plug S (for appliances up to max. 2500 watts) or a permanently installed Shelly 1PM (for appliances with more power), you can easily recognise when the washing machine has done its job. The principle: The Shelly measures power consumption. As soon as it is below 5 watts for two minutes, this means that the washing machine is no longer running and you receive a push notification on your smartphone, a light strip lights up or you are notified by a voice assistant.
For many people, the alarm clock ringing is the worst moment of the day. But with a smart light alarm clock, the day starts much more pleasantly. How? Thanks to a smart light control, which you programmer via a schedule in the Shelly app. The light then switches on automatically at the desired time. With an atmospheric strip of light, you can do this without the shrill beeping of the alarm clock. It gets even better for all morning grouches with the Shelly Dimmer Gen3: You can also use scenarios to gently ensure that it gets brighter. Almost like a sunrise, you are slowly and naturally woken from your dreams by the light strip.
A charging station for an electric car can be made smart with a Shelly Pro 1. To do this, a electrician installs the Pro 1 in your distribution cabinet. You can then plan charging processes using schedules or scenarios. For example, if you use a favorable night-time electricity tariff, the charging process will start automatically at night. This way, you can always charge your electric car with particularly favorable electricity prices. If you need energy immediately, ask the voice assistant to charge the car. In combination with a Shelly EM Gen3, you can also monitor consumption or react to a PV surplus from your solar system.
The last tip is aimed at chicken farmers: Shelly can be used to automate the chicken flap. To do this, you need two 1 Gen3 - one to raise the flap and one to lower it. Alternatively, a Plus Uni or a 2PM Gen3, depending on the motor, is also suitable. If the smart gadgets are connected to the chicken flap motor, you can programmer the scenarios in the app. For example, one Shelly opens the flap in the morning, 30 minutes after sunrise, and the second closes it in the evening, 30 minutes after sunset. Of course, you can also control them using the voice assistant or the Shelly Wall Display. This ensures that the chickens are well looked after and safe.
Basically almost everything that is electric: lighting control, heating, blinds, wallbox, music, electricity, garden appliances, washing machine, ventilation, security system, doorbell and more.
No, with Shelly, retrofitting smart gadgets is not only uncomplicated, but also inexpensive. Of course, the exact costs vary depending on the desired range of functions.
Yes, you can easily retrofit a smart home yourself with Shelly. The devices are ideal for DIY projects. However, installations on the distribution box or power grid must be carried out by a professional.
A smart home system can actually control almost anything - from lighting and heating to doorbells, security systems, etc. The important thing is that the devices are compatible and can be easily networked.
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