Home automation without rewiring: what you can add to an older home

The typical question is: "the house is from the 1970s, the wiring is old but works, can I have some home automation without redoing everything?". Yes, with a few precautions. Here is what can be done in a day or two of work, and what instead needs a deeper intervention.

What you can add with no building work

• Connected switches: the mechanism in the existing box is replaced with a radio control (BTicino Living Now with Netatmo, Vimar View Wireless). A neutral wire is needed in the box: in older homes it is often missing, but there are versions that work without it. The plate stays the one you like.
• Shutters: a tubular motor instead of the strap and a connected control; the shutter box opens and the work is done from inside. Shutters rise on schedule or all together with one tap.
• Smart thermostat replacing the old programmable one: schedules, phone control, in some cases connected thermostatic valves on individual radiators.
• Smart plugs and smart bulbs for lamps and small appliances.
• Connected video intercom: see who is ringing even when you are out, often reusing the two existing wires.
• Wireless alarm with battery sensors and siren, no cables.

What is worth doing with a small intervention

• The consumer unit: if it is still the original one, it must be brought up to standard (RCD, circuit separation). It is the first thing we do, automation or not.
• A data line to the router and wi-fi covering the whole home: radio automation lives on a good connection. Sometimes a mesh repeater is enough.
• Climate: recent air conditioners (Daikin included) already have wi-fi; for old ones there are connected infrared controllers.

What is better avoided

• Mixing five apps from five brands: choose one ecosystem (BTicino/Netatmo, Vimar, or a voice assistant that unites them) and stick with it.
• No-name devices with unknown apps: when the app disappears, the switch stops working.
• Going "all wireless" in a home you are about to renovate anyway: in that case it is better to run cables and use a bus system, as explained in our guide on switch plates and automation.

Where to start

With the shutters and the thermostat: they are the two things used every day and they show the convenience immediately. Then the living-room and hallway lights. The site visit is free: in half an hour we tell you what can be done in your home, what it costs and in which order it is worth doing.