In the era of modernization and atomization, motor blinds have emerged an elegant and timeless addition to the modern living. these innovative blinds or shades provide enhanced privacy and control as well as convenience of operation by remote control. One burning question that often arises is when considering motorized blinds is that are these blinds battery operated? As technology is growing rapidly knowing the power source that is providing power supply to your device is really important.

If you are looking for the detailed information about the functioning and management of motorized blinds you are at the right place in this article we will delve into the realm of motorized blinds and the automation of the battery functioning and give you a whole view of the motorized blinds.

How do Motorized Blinds Work:

Motorized blinds are operated by a system that allows you to control the closing, opening, and positioning of blinds by remote control, voice command, smart phones, or b integration with atomized systems such as hubs or smart speakers. Key components of this system are given below.

Motor: A small electric motor at the heart of the blinds that controls the movement and is typically concealed in the headrail of the shades.

Power House: It can be electricity outlet or batteries but the battery-operated blinds offer flexibility in terms of installation because they do not need a near power outlet.

Control Mechanism: It controls the blinds by using smart phone app, voice command, remote or any other desired method. When we give a command its control mechanism sends signals to motor so that it can initiate the required movement.

Gears and Rollers: Motor is connected to series of gears and rollers that convert its rotational movement in a linear movement.

Limit Settings: Theses motorized blinds usually have a limit setting for upper and lower position.

Sensor Integration: some blinds are come with certain sensors which can detect sunlight intensity, room temperature and even time of the days they automatically adjust blinds.

Home Automation Integration: Motorized blinds have the ability to be integrated into the smart home ecosystem. You can incorporate them into your routine schedules along with other devices.

Manual Override: For specific cases where if your power supply fails by chance you can control your blinds with the help of manual ride function. You can manage the blinds manually by pulling the cord.

Motorized roller blinds are operated with the help of a tubular motor which is inserted in the roller tube and these blinds are controlled by remote. There are different ways to control these blinds automatically.

Here are 5 ways that you can use to automate your blinds:

Remote Control

Are Motorized Blinds Battery Operated? — Somfy Remote

The very basic option for automation is use of a remote control. You can raise or lower your blinds just with a single touch and it can its multiple channel system can manage multiple windows (Up to 16 windows) simultaneously. This comes handy for rooms with many windows. Talk about convenience.

Sleek and durable
User friendly
65 foot range

Wall Switch

Wall switches are essentially a centralized remote control installed on your wall similarly to a light switch which allows you to up to 15 blinds from one central location. This is a perfect choice for those people who easily misplace their remotes.

Contemporary look
Wireless installation
Range up to 100ft (depending on walls and floor plans)

Somfy MyLink

This is a small device which when plugged into outlet can transform your smart devices such as phones or tablets into a remote through a free app. Instead of having a separate remote control to manage your window treatments, the Somfy MyLink app can raise or lower your motorized blinds with single remote. With the help of IFTTT (If This, Then That) integration, it can be paired with Google assistant, or amazon Alexa.

Plugs directly into your outlet
Free MyLink app
WiFi enabled
35 foot range

Somfy TaHoma Hub

Somfy’s TaHoma has taken automation to next step. The free smartphone app allows you to directly integrate with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other smart home devices. You can simply adjust your voice by voice and you can schedule your blind position for the day. It can also control multiple blinds.

Easy setup
Free TaHoma app
WiFi enabled
656 foot range

ShadeMonster Smart Hub

ShadeMonster’s smart hub has the ability to turns your remote controlled appliances such as blinds, ceiling fans, and even fireplaces into smart devices. Pair it with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to use voice commands to adjust your blinds easily. With its easy setup, this smart hub acts as a bridge between your blinds and the Wi-Fi.

Easy setup
Free smartphone app
Wi-Fi enabled
2500 sq ft range

How Long do Motorized Blinds Last?

Motorized blinds are of two types.

Battery-powered: Battery-powered blinds have their own battery to power the motor called wireless blinds because they do not need any wiring to electric outlets. The alkaline batteries used in blinds may need replacement after every 5 years.
Mains powered blinds: These are connected to the home’s electricity system and work with the availability of electricity. These shades are more advantageous as there is no need of battery replacement.

Lifespan of these motorized blinds vary widely depending upon several factors such as

Quality of the Blinds: High-quality blinds are generally made from durable materials which tends to have a longer lifespan compared to cheaper alternatives.

Motor Quality: quality of motor is a crucial factor if the quality of motor is good it will be reliable and give better function as compared to cheap one.

The Frequency of Use: if you use your blinds more frequently, they will experience more wear and tear. If the blinds are used many times in times a day, they will have shorter lifespan as compared to blinds that are used less frequently.

Maintenance: Regular maintenance extends the lifespan of motorized blinds very significantly. blinds that are clean, dirt free and if its moving parts are properly lubricated blind motor will resist to the damage in motor.

Environmental Conditions: the environment in which shades are installed also play an important part if blinds are installed in area with humidity, extreme temperature then these blinds will deteriorate easily.

On average, well-made motorized blinds can last anywhere from 5 to 15 years or more. To increase the life span of your blinds, make sure to follow the manufacturers guideline.

Do Motorized Shades Need to Be Plugged In?

No, not all the motorized blinds need to be plugged in, as many of the motorized blinds come with a feature of batteries which function on either AA or C batteries. in addition to battery some blinds have compatibility with solar charging. these blinds also have feature of wireless or remote-control option so they do not require power source as they have small but solar powered motors. Here is a list of power sources used by blinds with their advantages and disadvantages.

Battery Powered

A very easy solution for battery-powered motorized blinds and roller shades. Here a tube is attached at the top of the window which raises the blinds. Motor is connected with battery which provides it power. These motorized blinds are really simple, easy to install and do not require outlet space so they can b easily installed at the places where wiring is impractical especially in wet areas.

To suffice their power requirement AA batteries are enough but lithium batteries have more life span as compared to simple batteries. the replace of batteries after a specific time is a very big disadvantage of battery powered blinds.

Somfy has given a very useful alternative of this problem rechargeable battery options for motorized blinds. With the help of these blinds, you can conveniently recharge you blind batteries by plugging them in.

Hardwired

Hardwiring your motorized blinds is also an option in case you want to avoid the recharging hassle of the blinds’ batteries. There are different types of batteries and each of them functions a specific voltage. If we compare hardwired and battery powered blinds, Hardwired blinds are cost effective in terms of energy cost.

As it is cost effective but its installation is complex and you will need a professional technician to get this job done.

DC Power Adaptor

Another handy but energy-efficient alternative is to have motorized blinds and shades powered by a DC power adaptor. It needs to be plugged into the outlet as with hardwired and you will not have to worry about the replacement of the batteries.

As for its installation compared to hardwired it does not need any special effort. All you have to do is to hang your blinds and plug in the power switch and you are all set. No extra wiring is required, the only drawback is the exposed wires and you should have electricity supply for these blinds to work.

Types of Motorized Blinds and How They Work

A great way to add convenience and automation in your home is to use motorized blinds. In market variety of blinds are available with different features. Here is a review of some main types of motorized blinds.

Roller Blinds:

These blinds contain fabric which is rolled up onto a tube at the very top of the window/door.
When these curtains are raised, they provide complete privacy and when lowered can block the sunrays completely.
To operate these blinds you have to press a button on remote control or wall switch.

Venetian Blinds:

These stylish window treatments feature horizontal slats that tilt when opened or closed for adjustable light control.
These blinds can be easily operated and they come with a remote control or a wall switch that helps you to manage them.

Roman Blinds:

These motorized blinds have horizontal pleats that can fold up neatly when opened and hang flat when closed.
They provide enough amount of light, Privacy, and can be efficiently operated with the help of remote control or wall switch.

Vertical Blinds:

These motorized windows have a feature of vertical panels which are connected by a track at the top of the window which can be opened from one side or the other for complete light control and privacy control.
These blinds can be simply operated by pressing a button present on the remote control or wall switch.

Can Motorized Blinds be Used Manually?

Yes, many of the, motorized blinds available today are designed with the in-built feature of manual override. These blinds have remote control as well as it can be connected to amazon Alexa or Google assistant for quick access but you can also handle them with the help of wall switch. If your blinds have cord you can simply pull the cord to manage the position of the blinds.

This feature allows you to operate them manually in case of power outages or if you prefer to adjust the blinds without using the motorized controls. The manual override feature typically involves a crank or a pull cord that you can use to open or close the blinds manually, just like traditional blinds.
This manual override feature is especially useful when the motorized blinds are battery operated or connected to a power source that might occasionally experience interruptions. It provides you with a backup method of controlling the blinds when the motorized functionality is unavailable.
The availability of manual override feature can vary from model to model so if you are interested in this feature make sure to ask the dealer before purchasing.

How Motorized Blinds and Shades Are Powered?

Use of motorized blinds and shades is a very convenient option like you will not have to get out of your bed on Saturday morning to shut the sun. You might be thinking about the power source of these motors, actually there are different option when we consider about powering the motor of blinds. Here is a preview of some important sources that can power your motorized blinds.