These days in the 21st century, everyone is looking for the most latest technological development to enhance their lives.
We frankly want to live in the futures we imagined as children, and we’re looking to be part of it as much as possible.
From virtual assistants, and voice-activated locks and lights, we’re living in a world that the past only could’ve imagined. Living in today’s time is living with technology, its a fact that we’re aware of, and its a comfortable way of living.
Well, we have news for you, your window treatments can be technologically controlled as well. Motorizing your windows is one of the most impressive and convenient forms of comfortable living; although choosing a window treatment that fits you and your home can be more complicated. Here at Royal Window Treatments, we offer experienced support, and our professional recommendation is Somfy. Somfy offers over 50 years of experience, known for its energy efficiency, high quality, and long-lasting motors. In case you’re still weary and unsure, keep reading below and we’ll open up on not only the advantages of motorizing your window treatments but as well all the details you need to know about Somfy remote-controlled options.
Remote Control Systems
Amongst the most familiar and obvious forms of controlling your automized system is through a hand-held remote control. This is one of the easier ways to control your shades, as you dont have to install an entire wall-mounted panel. Its as easy as leaving your remote control by the shades and adjusting your shades with a simple click of a button whenever you desire.
Smartphone Controlled
You can control your window treatments from bed, from work, or even Aruba. The process is as easy as downloading the app and syncing your devices. Control is suddenly all at your fingertips, giving you the advantage over your home always, and everywhere.
Wall Mounted Control Panels
We recommend the Somfy centralized control panel only if your home is already wired with other Somfy-related products. This is amongst the best ways to take charge of all your shades around the house. Through this option, you can close your living room shades as you are leaving to an appointment. The Somfy panels are versatile panels, meaning you can fit them to any window or wall around the house fitting up to your comfort level and ultimate desire.
Automatic Timers and Censoring
It can be quite tiresome to have to control your window treatments on a normal basis throughout the day to save on air conditioning. There are brilliant options to control your Somfy product by only setting timers to certain times of the day when you want your shades to be open or closed. Timers will allow you to decide when you want your shades to lift or lower and sensors could as easily detect the sunlight’s directness and heat and close on their own accord.
This is the ultimate sense of home control and comfort. These options are the most ideal to keep you up to date with the current modern times and to keep your home and comfort levels up to the desired par—as a plus its incredibly impressive.
Somfy Motorized Rollers and Shades: The advantages
You must be wondering, “why specifically Somfy over other companies?” Somfy has some unique technological advantages in contrast to its competitors—let’s go over them.
Radio Wave Safety
Just as with all wireless technologies, Somfy uses radio waves to connect your window treatments to your remote or whatever it is you are using to control your shades. Radio waves are proven to not be dangerous to your health and on the contrary, it’s safer than the radio waves emitted from your phone and your local wifi routers. If you’d like to hear some numbers, your remote control and Somfy product will emit 1000 times less energy and power in shorter time frames in comparison to your phone. This means you should have no health concerns when it comes to motorizing your window treatments in your rooms across your home.
Environmentally Friendly
Somfy’s made a commitment to the environment, and through that to us and the customers—they prioritize prosperity, the people, and our collective futures. The team at Somfy is tirelessly committed to finding greener alternatives to products. The general aim at Somfy is to make the world greener, yet more comfortable and livable, through sharing our planet with all its inhabitants in an equal manner. Somfy made the applaudable goal of making 100% of their products environmentally friendly by the year 2030.
Active Patent Team
The Somfy team consists of over 500 engineers, consistently working on developing and innovating. From phone app connections to making the motor more smooth and quiet, the team is around the clock working on upgrading and making our futures more comfortable and innovative. Through their huge team of active patents, the engineers keep in mind that upgrades are surely important, but new concepts and visions will push us more into the future we collectively desire.
How does the motor work?
There are three predominant motor options for you to choose from based on your specific control preferences.
The WT Option
WT, or Wireless Technology, simply means each treatment is independent of the other. This motor option is wired through your wall and is controlled via a wall switch. This is the ideal option for a planned under-construction home or a renovated home. This option is the most reliable of options, but of course, if something goes wrong, it can get a little messy. Via wall switch, you can have control over one or more window treatments, but of course, an additional wiring and wall switch would be necessary to connect another device.
The RTS Option
RTS, or the Radio Transmission Somfy, is the ideal integration option. This motor takes commands from a hand-held remote control, through radio signaling. Control is at your fingertips since you have an array of choices of control ranging from a remote control, sensors, or even the app. Through Somfy’s myLink app, you can take control anytime, and anywhere. The wireless wall switch is so simple that it doesn’t require an electrician, it is fully battery-powered and functions the same way you’d expect a remote would work, except you don’t need to fear losing this one. Somfy’s weather sensors are entirely wireless as well, meaning if its too sunny, far too cold, or just rainy, your window treatment will adjust accordingly to the situation without moving a finger.
The TaHoma Option
The TaHoma app and device give you access to control every small aspect of your smart home. With the control of opening and closing your shades, TaHoma as well can be set to be scheduled and timed to open and close whenever you desire. Set times with your TaHoma device to close at high noon during the summer, or to close every dawn for privacy. You have the control over movie night atmospheric vibe with just a click of a button. There are absolutely no limits when the topic is Somfy’s TaHoma option.
Could Virtual Assistants Control My Somfy Shades?
Absolutely. Through voice command, you can get your Alexa, Google, or Samsung to control your window treatment setting.
Guide to Connect your Shades to Google Home or Alexa
In order to pair your Amazon Alexa with your Somfy remote-controlled shades, please follow the following steps:
- Select “More” in the bottom right-hand corner
- Select “Skills & Games” and search for the TaHoma North America skill
- In the Amazon Alexa search field, type “Somfy” OR “TaHoma” to find all related TaHoma skills for Alexa
- Select “TaHoma North America”
- Select “Enable to Use”
Now your Alexa is successfully connected with your Somfy Shades. Now ask your Alexa: “Alexa, close my shades”
In order to pair your Google Home with your Somfy remote-controlled shades, open your Google Home app, and follow these following steps :
- Select the Add icon +
- Select “Set up device”
- Select “Works with Google”
- Select the Magnify glass and search “ Somfy”
- Select “Somfy TaHoma North America”
- Enter the TaHoma Login credentials that were used to Register during Tahoma Programming.
- Select “LOGIN”
- Select “YES”
- Select “YES” to authorize Google to access the Somfy account.
Now that everything is set up you can say: Hey Google, open my shades
How to Charge
Somfty battery-controlled motors would only require charging 1-2x per year. Ensure that you have a long extension cabal and high-enough ladder, the original cabal is only 6 feet in length and may not be long enough to satisfy your charging needs. You’ll know that your motor requires charging when you see a red light turn on near the top of the motor by the cap. You will find the connection joint either by the end of the motor or in a bracket. Now connect the recharger to the connector and plug it into your outlet or extension cable if necessary. The same light that blinked red to indicate low battery, will now glow from red to orange to green. This process of charging could be expected to take up to 4-5 hours in total.
How to Program The Shades
Battery-Operated Somfy Shades
Step 1. Wake your blind motor
Press the motor button or pinhole on the side of your motor to activate. Your window covering will jog up and down to let you know it is awake.
Step 2. Pick your channel
This step is only for 5-channel remote controls. If your remote control has just 1 channel, you can skip this step.
Step 3. Assign your blind to this channel
Simultaneously press the up and down buttons for 2 seconds. Again, your blind will jog up and down to let you know it has been assigned to this channel.
Step 4. Check your roll direction
Make sure your shades roll in the correct direction when pushing the up and down buttons.
Step 5. Set your shade’s upper limit
Press the up button until your blind reaches where you’d like your upper limit to be. Simultaneously hold my and down buttons to start your blind to roll down. Press the button to stop the blind before the bottom.
Step 6. Set your shades lower limit
Press the down button until your blind reaches where you’d like your lower limit to be. Simultaneously hold the my up buttons to start your blind to roll up. Press the my button to stop the blind before the top.
Step 7. Confirm your end limits
Hold the my button for 2 seconds until your blind jogs up and down. This will confirm that your upper and lower limits are set.
Step 8. Finish your remote setup
Using a pin, quickly press the program button which will make your shades jog up and down. Now your motorized shades are prepared to be controlled by your handheld remote control.
Wired Somfy Shades
Step 1. Plug in your motor
Plug your motor into the wall and make sure that it is turned on.
Step 2. Pick your channel
This step is only for 5-channel remote controls. If your remote control has just 1 channel, you can skip this step.
Step 3. Assign your blind to this channel
Simultaneously press the up and down buttons for 2 seconds. Again, your blind will jog up and down to let you know it has been assigned to this channel.
Step 4. Check your roll direction
Make sure your shades roll in the correct direction when pushing the up and down buttons.
Step 5. Set your shades upper limit
Press the up button until your blind reaches where you’d like your upper limit to be. Simultaneously hold the my and down buttons to start your blind to roll down. Press the my button in order to stop it before it reaches the end.
Step 6. Set your shades lower limit
Press the down button until your blind reaches where you’d like your lower limit to be. Simultaneously hold the my and up buttons to start your blind to roll up. Press the my button to stop the blind before the top.
Step 7. Confirm your end limits
Hold the my button for 2 seconds until your blind jogs up and down. This will confirm that your upper and lower limits are set.
Step 8. Finish your remote setup
Using a pin, quickly press the program button which will make your shades jog up and down. Now your motorized shades are ready to be controlled by your hand held remote control.
As a recognizable company, Somfy is highly requested by our clients. With a 5-year warranty on all motors and chargers, you can rest assured that your Somfy motorized shades are covered. Somfy’s reliability and commitment to innovation are why ShadeMonster confidently recommends their motors.
Why Trust RWT With Your Window Treatment?
Royal Window Treatments boasts over 20 years of creating custom and tailored window treatments. We have been serving Manhattan and the greater area for more than 20 years. Royal Window Treatments is located in the heart of New York City. We pride ourselves on our vast product knowledge of window treatments and our exceptional customer service. Our staff at Royal Window Treatments has successfully and efficiently helped countless New Yorkers enhance their home and office space by choosing from a vast selection of blinds, solar shades, shutters, motorized shades, skylight shades, and custom Soft Treatments (drapes, valances, etc.).
Still need more help?
Royal Window Treatments would be glad to assist you. Contact us today!
Address: 240 3RD AVE, NEW YORK CITY, NY 10003
Tel: (212) 473 1111
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