Imagine being able to open and close your shades with simple voice commands like “Alexa, open primary bedroom shades.” Motorized shades—also known as smart shades, electric shades, or power shades—feature an electric motor that allows you to raise or lower them using a remote control. When integrated with Amazon Alexa or Google Home, these shades become a key component of a smart home.
You can control shades in individual rooms, groups of rooms, or even the entire house with voice commands such as, “Google, set the nursery shades to 50%,” or “Alexa, open all shades to 75%.” These commands allow you to adjust any shade in your home at any time, effortlessly.
Customers can also create personalized ‘Routines’ and ‘Scenes’:
- Routines allow you to automate shade movements at specific times. For example, you could say, “Alexa, good morning,” and all your shades will open.
- Scenes let you coordinate multiple smart home devices at once. A command like “Alexa, start movie night” could lower the shades, dim the lights, adjust the thermostat, and turn on your TV and audio system.
Additional Features & Benefits
Beyond basic voice control, motorized shades offer advanced features when paired with Alexa or Google Home:
- Remote Control from Anywhere: Using the Alexa or Google Home apps, you can control your shades remotely—whether you’re at the office or on vacation. You can also schedule them to open or close automatically at designated times.
- Hands-Free Convenience: Forget about reaching for remotes or switches. Voice commands make shade operation easy for everyone, including those with mobility challenges.
- Energy Efficiency: Automated shades help regulate indoor temperatures, reducing the strain on your HVAC system and lowering your energy bills.
- Enhanced Security: Set your shades to adjust while you’re away, giving the impression that someone is home, adding an extra layer of security.
If Acadia has already installed your motorized shades or you’re considering adding them to your home, here’s what you need to know. To use voice commands, a ‘smart hub’ or ‘gateway’ is required to connect the shades with Alexa or Google Home. This hub enables communication between the shades and your home network.
Your Sales Consultant can recommend the correct hub for your system, but please note that Acadia only provides guidance on where to purchase the hub. You will need to set it up yourself to customize your shades to your preferences. The hub and app you need will depend on the type of motor your shades use:
- Z-Wave Motors: You will need the Bond Bridge and the Graber Motorization App. The Bond Bridge, available on Amazon, costs between $120 and $380. The Graber Motorization App is free to download on both Apple and Android devices.
- RTS Motors: You will need the Somfy TaHoma Hub and the Somfy App. The TaHoma Hub is priced around $280 on Amazon, and the Somfy App is free to download.
Motorized shades are becoming increasingly popular due to their sleek design and convenience, offering a modern upgrade over traditional window treatments. To explore options for automating your window coverings, schedule a free consultation with one of our experts today!