Do you remember the one time, or the millions of times, when the sun was glaring or shining in your eyes, but you were too tired or engrossed to stand up from your bed to shut your blinds? Well, now you can tell Alexa or your Google Assistant to raise, lower, or close your smart home blinds and shades, and Voilà, you save yourself a long round trip to the window.
Call it what you will, technology or the lazy person’s way out of stress, but these smart home blinds and shades are changing how we live and enjoy our homes. Life is easier when we can complete repetitive tasks, like opening a window blind, with voice commands.
There are several benefits to enjoy with smart blinds. This blog article highlights some of these benefits and will show you how they ease everyday living.
Let’s dive in.
Smart shades give you hands-free control over light and privacy in any room.
1. Energy Efficiency
Smart blinds are not only convenient, but they also help you save energy and money. Studies show a significantly low daily average energy consumption of 871 WATTS for users utilizing automatic blinds, as opposed to the 2,573 WATTS consumed by those with manual blinds.
Think of all the appliances that consume energy around your home, air conditioners in the summer and heating systems during winter. These appliances bump up your energy consumption, consequently increasing your electricity costs. But with smart blinds, you can create and set up automatic controls that adjust based on weather and outdoor conditions.
A practical way to explore the energy-saving functionality of smart blinds is by customizing weather scenes to automatically open, lower, or close them during peak temperatures in the summer. This is a great way to keep the heat out, reducing air conditioning usage.
The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 75% of residential window coverings stay in the same position every day. That’s a missed opportunity, since windows account for 25% to 30% of total heating and cooling energy losses. For homeowners in Troy, Edwardsville, and greater Madison County, smart blinds can make a real difference.
Curious about which shades offer the best insulation? Our guide on light filtering vs. room darkening blinds breaks it down.
Interested in Smart Blinds for Your Home?
Our team provides free on-site consultations across Madison County and St. Clair County.
2. Convenience
Nothing screams convenience like blinds you can automate and control with your voice. It’s like talking to your blinds and telling them how to serve you.
Smart blinds ease your life in so many ways. They reduce the number of times in a day you have to adjust the many windows in your home. Just say the word, and your blinds will follow your command automatically. Better, you can set scheduled timers to open and close your blinds at specified times.
Imagine waking up to natural light filling your bedroom because your shades opened on a timer at 7:00 a.m. Then at sunset, they close on their own while you’re making dinner. Families in O’Fallon, Glen Carbon, and Highland are already enjoying that kind of hands-free living.
For a step-by-step walkthrough, check out our blog on how to close blinds with smart home technology.
Controlling your blinds from your phone means you never have to leave the couch.
3. Safety
Unlike the traditional ones, smart blinds don’t come with looped cords that pose a risk of injury and suffocation to children and pets. Studies have found that between 1990 and 2015, over 16,000 children suffered injuries resulting from entanglements with cords hanging from window blinds, 67.1% of those cases were fatal.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) identifies window covering cords as one of the top five hidden hazards in the home.
Smart blinds guarantee safety and minimize blind-related accidents around your home. They are designed without hanging cords, making them safer and more child-friendly.
For families in Maryville, Staunton, and throughout St. Clair County, going cordless is a safety decision. Our article on different types of blinds covers cord-free styles available.
4. Security
Did you know that 72% of burglaries occur while homeowners are away? This proves that burglars scout their victims’ homes and strike when they perceive no one is home.
Are you worried about burglars breaking into your home when you are away? Smart blinds take care of that problem. With smart blinds, you can create the illusion that your house is occupied by programming them to open and close at various times of the day. This way, unsuspecting burglars are scared off.
This is especially practical for homeowners in the greater St. Louis metro area.
Smart Blinds vs. Traditional Blinds: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Smart Blinds | Traditional Blinds |
|---|---|---|
| Voice Control | ✓ Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri | ✗ Manual operation only |
| Scheduled Automation | ✓ Set timers to open/close | ✗ Requires manual adjustment |
| Child and Pet Safety | ✓ Cordless design | ⚠ Corded models pose risks |
| Energy Savings | ✓ Adjusts based on conditions | ✗ Static, no auto-adjustment |
| Home Security | ✓ Simulates occupancy | ✗ Stays in same position |
| Remote Access | ✓ Control from anywhere via app | ✗ Must be physically present |
It’s Time to Go Smart With Your Blinds
Are you looking for a way to enhance the functionality and convenience of your home? Smart blinds are the way to go. Beyond the comfort they afford, they are safer, help you save energy, and can serve as deterrents to burglars from your home.
The first step to going smart is finding a reputable source for high-quality smart blinds, and BlindQuest is here to serve you.
At BlindQuest, we offer high-quality smart blinds designed to suit your needs and style. We are committed to your satisfaction and the enhancement of your home to improve convenience, class, and comfort.
You can visit our beautiful showroom located at 195 E. US Hwy 40 Troy, IL 62294 to explore our selection and speak to our team. Also, you can contact us at (618) 495-4178 or fill out our contact form.
Ready to Upgrade to Smart Blinds?
Visit our Troy, IL showroom or schedule an in-home consultation. We serve homeowners within a 50-mile radius.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smart Home Blinds
Do smart blinds work with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant?
Yes. Most smart blind systems, including Hunter Douglas PowerView, are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. You can use voice commands to raise, lower, or adjust your blinds without lifting a finger.
Can I add smart features to the blinds I already have?
In some cases, yes. Retrofit motorization kits exist for certain blind types, but most homeowners opt for blinds with built-in smart functionality for better reliability. Our team at BlindQuest can assess your setup and recommend the best path forward.
Do smart blinds need Wi-Fi to work?
They need Wi-Fi for remote access, voice control, and app scheduling. Many systems also include a physical remote, so you can still operate them if your internet goes down.
Are smart blinds worth the investment for a home in the Troy, IL area?
Absolutely. Illinois summers bring intense heat, and winters get cold. Smart blinds that adjust automatically help regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy costs, making them a solid investment for Madison County homeowners.
