To many Australians, the backyard is just another room in the house. Harry Simidis looks at some of the things that can be effectively managed by a control system to bring the comforts of the home to the great outdoors.

To many people, the backyard is an escape from the everyday grind. It’s the place they go to relax, entertain or even dine (among a plethora of other activities).

In this day and age of the ‘time-poor’ professional (myself included), it is now more important than ever that these surroundings are good to go when the owners need to use them. But, who has the time to water the lawn regularly to keep it looking as green as possible, while observing the regulatory restriction times? Who remembers to open the motorised awnings every morning to let sunlight into the home and to the plants underneath? Who remembers to close the motorised window louvres when the air conditioning system is trying to cool the home? And, honestly, how many times have you hissed and cussed at yourself because you forgot to switch the pool cleaner on and let it run for the few hours it needs to every day?

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve certainly committed some of these domestic offences. Like myself, I assume there are hundreds, if not thousands, of others that would benefit from some simple automation that wouldn’t only free up time but, more importantly, reduce our stress levels and manage resources in the most efficient way.

Ultimately, practicality, usefulness and lifestyle should determine how beneficial it will be to proceed with any proposed integration activity. Generally, my view is that lighting control systems are often underutilised with much unfulfilled potential left untapped.

Ultimately, they can control:
Irrigation systems
Landscape lighting
Pool lighting
Pool cleaners
Motorised louvres
Garage doors
Stormwater overflow catchment resevoirs