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Controlling Somfy Motorized Shades with Bond Home: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted: December 4, 2024

Somfy motorized shades offer a convenient and stylish way to manage light and privacy in your home. However, integrating these shades into a smart home system can be challenging without the right tools. The Bond Home system, particularly the Bond Bridge, provides an effective solution for controlling Somfy shades seamlessly. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up and control your Somfy motorized shades using Bond Home.

Purchasing and Setting Up Your Bond Bridge

If you are ready to integrate your Somfy motorized shades into a smart home system using the Bond Bridge, you can easily purchase the device from various online retailers, including Amazon. The Bond Bridge (paid link) is available for $119 and offers a range of features that make it an excellent choice for smart home automation.

Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Preparing Your Somfy Shades

Before integrating your Somfy shades with the Bond Home system, ensure that your shades are properly set up and functioning with their physical remote controls. Each shade should be programmed to its own channel on the Somfy remote. For group control, you can program multiple shades to a single channel or create separate groups using different channels.

Installing the Bond Bridge

The Bond Bridge is a central device that translates RF signals from your Somfy remotes into commands that can be controlled via the Bond Home app or voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home. Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Connect the Bond Bridge to Your Wi-Fi Network: Follow the instructions in the Bond Home app to connect the Bond Bridge to your Wi-Fi network. The device is known for its seamless integration and stable connection3.
  2. Add Your Somfy Shades in the Bond Home App:
    • Open the Bond Home app and navigate to the “Add Device” section.
    • Select “Remote Control” and then choose “Shades” followed by “Somfy RTS.”
    • During the setup process, you will need to pair the Bond Bridge with your Somfy remote. Hold the “PROG” button on the remote for the first shade, tap “Pair” in the app, and repeat this process for each additional shade19.

Grouping Shades

For better control and convenience, you can group your Somfy shades within the Bond Home app or at the remote level.

  • Grouping at the Remote Level: Program multiple shades to the same channel on your Somfy remote. This allows you to control all shades in the group simultaneously using the Bond Bridge. Ensure that each shade is properly paired with the Bond Bridge to reflect these group settings.
  • Grouping in the Bond Home App: You can also create groups within the Bond Home app by adding multiple shades to a single device. This is particularly useful if you want to control different sets of shades independently or together.

Advanced Features and Integrations

Voice Control

The Bond Bridge allows you to control your Somfy shades using voice assistants like Alexa and Google Home. This integration is seamless and provides a convenient way to manage your shades without needing the physical remote or the app.

HomeKit Integration

For users looking to integrate their Somfy shades into a HomeKit ecosystem, the Bond Bridge (especially the Bond Pro) offers compatibility through Homebridge plugins. This allows for more advanced automation and control within the HomeKit framework.

Scheduling and Automation

You can set up schedules and automations for your Somfy shades using the Bond Home app. This includes setting specific times for the shades to open or close, which can be particularly useful for managing light and energy efficiency.

Conclusion

Controlling Somfy motorized shades with the Bond Home system is a straightforward and effective way to integrate these devices into your smart home. By following the setup instructions, addressing common issues, and leveraging the advanced features of the Bond Bridge, you can enjoy seamless and convenient control over your shades. Whether you’re using voice assistants, scheduling automations, or simply wanting to manage your shades remotely, the Bond Home system provides a robust solution.