The Expert Guide to Battery vs Mains Powered Blinds
The demand for motorised roller blinds in the UK is increasing year on year, as more and more homeowners are upgrading their homes with smart devices to offer more flexible control of their property. According to a survey conducted by Smart Home Week, 57% of homes in Britain now contain a smart device. A smart home is defined as one that “uses electronic networking technology to integrate the various devices and appliances found in almost all homes”.
Why is it that so many Brits are choosing to spend so much money on smart tech for their homes? Because it’s fun! Smart tech companies are releasing new features and gadgets week after week which homeowners are using to show off to their friends and house guests. The ability to control lighting and heating from their phone, create pre-set scenes, operate all the blinds in their living room at the touch of a button and more are all features that are desirable for the modern homeowner.
Controlling your blinds and curtains with a smart hub or remote is a way of improving security, allowing more flexibility over light levels and saving on energy costs. Smart shading can be controlled remotely so blinds can be opened and closed even when the house is empty. This not only deters theft by creating the appearance of someone being home, but it also saves on energy costs by reducing the need for central heating or air-conditioning by simply allowing more or less sunlight into the home. These benefits are just some of the reasons why a motorised shading solution is becoming more common in modern homes.
Jump to pros and cons of battery and mains powered blinds ????
Cost is one reason people may be put off installing a smart home system, despite the obvious benefits. The costs of setting up the central hub, purchasing smart devices or upgrading their internet network can cost the homeowner a small fortune in the beginning. This is without taking into account the costs of adding new wiring, replastering walls or any other work that may be required just to get the home physically ready.
Also, the cost of installing motorised shading can be daunting. The costs of installing correct wiring, the cost of the blinds themselves, plus any additional remotes or controls, can put a lot of homeowners off, despite the cost-saving they may see in the future from creating a more energy-efficient home. Click here to read our full guide on how much a roller blind actually costs. This cost can lead a lot of people down the route of battery-powered motorised shading. They can be retrofitted into any window without any additional wiring needed, are compatible with some home automation systems and the overall cost of a battery-powered blind or curtain track is usually less than that of a mains-powered option.
But to properly decide which option is best for you or your customers, let’s look at the pros and cons of both options.
Battery powered
Pros
- Easy installation: Battery-powered roller blinds don’t require any wiring so they can be installed in most windows easily. It’s also simpler to install a battery-powered blind in a very high or concealed recess, as there’s no need to fiddle with wiring that may be difficult to access.
- Control: They tend to be controlled simply, via a remote or hub. The most common battery motor we use at Umbra, the Somfy Sonesse WF motor, uses their RTS signal which means it can be controlled by an RTS remote, or wirelessly connected to their TaHoma control hub. TaHoma can control blinds, curtains, lighting, security and more using just an internet connection. It can also connect to other devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home.
- Cost: Battery-powered blinds tend to be less expensive than a mains powered blind overall when you take into account the costs associated with wiring, plastering and installation time that come with a mains-powered blind.
Cons
- Limited control options: Most battery motors only have one means of control, specific to the supplier. This is usually a wireless radio signal (such as RTS for Somfy or VRS for Vestamatic), which means the motors can only be controlled by this signal. This limits your control options to either a remote, or a wireless hub that uses that same signal.
- Size limitations: A standard battery motor for blinds tends to be fast but weaker than a mains powered one, which means the size of your blind is limited. There are some exceptions to this, with some very powerful battery motors on the market, but these come with a higher price tag and can be too loud for some residential properties.
- Charging: The blind will need to be charged every few months, so access to a standard household plug socket or extension lead is beneficial. This also means you’ll need to access your blinds occasionally so if they’re high up or concealed this could be inconvenient.
Mains Powered
Pros
- Multiple control options: The main benefit of a wired, mains powered blind is that it can be connected to and controlled by multiple different systems and hubs. This is either done by connecting to the motor through a relay, or directly into the control panel. Most wired mains powered motors don’t have to be connected to a system by the same manufacturer as the motor, so there is much more freedom to choose the correct system for each home’s needs and wants.
- More powerful: Typically a mains powered motor is going to have a much larger lifiting capacity than a battery-powered one. This makes them capable of operating blinds and curtains at much larger sizes. We regularly use mains powered motors on our KuroLok Twin RL rooflight blind, which can be manufactured up to 6m long with no issues from the motor during operation.
- Reliable: A mains powered blind is constantly connected to power so it doesn’t need to be charged like a battery motor does. This means the blind won’t suddenly run out of battery and need to be charged without warning, which can be inconvenient. However, all motorised blinds can be affected by losses in power, internet connection or disruptions to the radio signal if that’s how they are controlled.
Cons
- Installation costs: If there isn’t already wiring at every window (which most homes don’t have as standard) then the costs of wiring and replastering can be high and too much for someone with a limited budget. Click here to read our full guide on how much a roller blind actually costs.
- Difficult to choose: Sometimes the sheer amount of home automation systems or control options available for mains powered blinds can make it difficult for homeowners to decide which one is right for them. This is why it’s important that blind and curtain companies are up-to date with the options available, in order to be able to advise their customers best.
If you want to speak to an expert at Umbra regarding motorised blinds, home automation systems and the benefits of battery vs mains powered blinds, click here.
There are positives to both options and deciding which one is best for you or your clients is going to be entirely dependant on the specific needs and requirements of each home. If low installation costs and ease of installation are most important, then a battery solution is likely to be the best choice for you. However, if wiring into a control system or shading a very large window is your aim, then a mains powered solution is going to offer more choices. Knowing which options are available and the pros and cons of both will mean you are in the best position to recommend a solution to your clients, or to choose which one works best for you.
For more information on our blind systems, from rollers to rooflight blinds, click here:
For more information on motorisation or home automation, check out some of our other blogs: