What is a script or routine in a smart home?

It is a predefined command that activates several actions together, such as turning off lights, closing loads and changing temperature, with a trigger or a press.

Why do scripts really lower the bill?

Because they remove human carelessness and ensure that unnecessary loads are not left open when the house is empty or when everyone is asleep.

Routines: Set "Goodnight" or "Leaving Home" to close all unnecessary loads with one touch

In previous articles we analyzed how to control individual devices, such as the thermostat or the water heater. But the real power of a smart home lies not in controlling one device, but in coordinating them all.

Think about how many times you've left the house in a hurry and, while already in the car, wonder: "Did I turn off the air conditioner in the bedroom? Did I turn off the kitchen light? Did I leave the TV on standby?". This process of checking each room before leaving or going to bed, in addition to the time it takes, is prone to human error.

As engineers, the solution we propose is to replace the "manual checklist" with Scenes / Routines. With a single press or a voice command, the home performs a series of actions that ensure that no kilowatt hour is wasted while you are away or asleep. Let's take a look at the three main scenarios that every home should have in 2026.

1. "Leaving Home" Scenario

This is the most critical scenario for your pocket. The goal is for the house to go into Hibernation.

What the routine includes:

The result: Within 1 second, the home's consumption drops to the absolute minimum (Base Load), saving electricity that on an annual basis can reach the cost of an entire monthly bill.

Illustration for 1. "Leaving Home" Scenario

Lighting

Turn off all lights in each room (Master Off).

Climate

The smart thermostat drops to the "Eco" temperature (eg 17°C in winter or 26°C in summer). The air conditioners go off.

Sockets (Vampire Power)

Smart sockets in the living room and office (TV, consoles, monitors) go dead, zero standby consumption.

Safety

The smart shutters close (helping with insulation too), the alarm is armed and the cameras are activated.

2. "Goodnight" Scenario (Sleep & Economy)

When you go to bed, the house doesn't need to be running at 100%. The "Goodnight" routine focuses on comfort and avoiding unnecessary waste during the night.

What the routine includes:

Device Control

The system checks if the oven or the water heater has been left on and closes them automatically.

Night Lighting

All lights are turned off, except perhaps a security light in the corridor, set to 1% intensity (Dimming).

Heating

The temperature drops by 1-2 degrees (it is healthier and more economical to sleep in a slightly cooler environment).

Isolation

Outlets that are not needed at night (eg the laptop charger in the office) are switched off.

3. How do we "Trigger" the Scripts? (Triggers)

The magic of a routine is in the way you start it. There are four ways, from the simplest to the most advanced:

Voice Command: "Alexa, I'm leaving" or "Hey Google, Goodnight". It's the fastest way as you walk out the door.
Physical Switch (Scene Switch): We place a wireless smart switch next to the front door. One press activates "Leaving Home". You don't need a phone, you don't need a voice. It is the most friendly solution for children and visitors.
Geofencing (GPS): The house "sees" through your mobile that you have moved more than 200 meters from the radius of the house and activates the scenario "Leaving Home" completely automatically, in case you forgot.
NFC Tags: Small stickers (NFC) that cost €1. Stick one on your nightstand. You touch your phone to it before you go to sleep and the "Goodnight" routine starts instantly.

4. Why do Scripts reduce the bill?

The savings don't just come from turning off the lights. It comes from eliminating forgetfulness.

According to energy studies, an average household wastes about 15-20% of its energy on appliances and lighting that run unnecessarily in empty rooms or during the night. Routines ensure that "human negligence" is removed from the equation. The home becomes a disciplined organism that consumes only what it needs, when it needs it.

Summarizing

The transition from “device” control to “script” control is where a home becomes truly Smart. Start by creating a simple "Leaving Home" routine in your app (Shelly, Google Home, Alexa) and you'll be amazed at how quickly you'll see a difference not only in your bill, but also in your Peace of Mind.

Next Step: We saw how to control the house based on our own movements. But what about the environment? Why should the office lights be on at 100% when the sun is coming in through the window?

We continue to the next Category D guide: Daylight Harvesting: How automatically matching natural lighting with lamp dimming saves energy in offices.

Smart Thermostats & PID Control: How to reduce heating and cooling consumption by up to 30% with learning algorithms Vampire Power: How Much Power Closed TVs/Consoles Really Burn and How to Stop It Consumer Notifications (Push Notifications): How to receive a message on your mobile phone if you forgot to turn on the oven or the refrigerator stopped working Electrical Add-ons for Immediate ROI: 5 Inexpensive Panel Upgrades That Pay Back in Less than a Year

Consumption Management & Energy Monitoring

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