Misunderstandings about electric roller blinds

Read this within a minute

What’s the news?

• This article addresses common misunderstandings about electric roller blinds. It clarifies how motorised blinds work and corrects assumptions about installation, power supply, and smart functionality.

What you need to know

• Installation complexity: Electric roller blinds do not always require major construction work. Battery-powered options reduce wiring needs.
• Power supply: Available with rechargeable battery motors or wired solutions. Charging frequency depends on usage.
• Noise levels: Modern motors operate quietly under normal conditions. Performance may vary by installation and environment.
• Smart control: Blinds can be operated via app, remote control, voice assistants, or automation when connected to compatible systems.
• Cost perception: Motorisation is available across different product categories, not limited to high-end projects.

Key takeaways

• Electric roller blinds are often misunderstood in terms of installation, maintenance, and usability. Available motor and connectivity options make them adaptable to various residential and project settings.
• This clarification is relevant for homeowners, installers, and specifiers evaluating motorised shading solutions and smart home integration possibilities.

As you can see in our frequently asked questions about smart blinds, there are still quite a few misunderstandings about electric blinds. We fully understand this, because this type of blind is still relatively new. There is a constant stream of new developments when it comes to electric roller blinds. Some misunderstandings may therefore have been justified at some point in time, but now technological innovation has overtaken them. In this article, we rebut common misunderstandings about electric blinds such as Motionblinds. 

If you have a specific question about Motionblind's smart blinds, our experts are more than happy to help. Contact us to find out more! 

1: Electric roller blinds cannot be operated manually 

Actually, they can. It's just not the normal mode of operation, which is with the app or remote control. If you'd like to have manual control as well, we'll take care of it for you. In addition to all smart control options, manual operation is a unique and valuable addition offered by our Motionblinds. As it always works and doesn't need anything – no connection or smartphone – with a simple pull, your blinds move automatically. It's so simple that anyone can do it.     

2: They guzzle energy 

Not true, and in fact you can save energy by using electric blinds the right way. Actually, it's not difficult to imagine where this misunderstanding comes from. When you switch from manual roller blinds to electric roller blinds, you naturally expect to use more energy. After all, the motor needs power, unlike old-fashioned blinds with a pull cord. However, this is a misunderstanding. 

Automating your home is a good way to save energy, as you only use the blinds when necessary. In addition, you can use the electric blinds in a way that makes things easier for other devices. For instance, if you block out sunlight and the associated heat, your air conditioning doesn't have to work as hard to keep the temperature comfortable. 

3: They aren't safe 

This clearly isn't true. Electric roller blinds actually enhance the safety of your home and interior in various ways. With no pull cord, you don't have to worry about your children or visiting children getting entangled.  

Automated roller blinds also reduce the risk of burglary. This is because there is motion in your home thanks to automation, so the blinds are lowered at a pre-programmed time even when you aren't there. Since most break-ins take place during the day, this is an ideal way for people working away from home to make their house a bit safer. 

4: Installation is very complicated 

What's the best way to install smart blinds? Well, it's very easy! It really only takes a few seconds, and then it's ready. Although the hardware and software have many complex features, this doesn't mean that installing your electric roller blinds is very complicated. On the contrary, it's very user-friendly. 

Just scan the QR code, and the electric roller blinds are automatically and securely configured. You don't need to do anything else. The roller blinds connect automatically via Bluetooth, so you don't need a gateway or bridge to set them up with an Apple system. With other providers, you have to do a bit more. You can then control them via the app or with voice commands. The app automatically shows you software updates to activate the latest features and user experience as they are released. No other service or support is needed. 

5: Electric blinds stop working when the power fails 

Or if the Wi-Fi is no longer working – this is a common misunderstanding. The blinds actually have a battery, so they can operate independently of mains power. This means they still work normally even if the power fails. Of course, you can't operate the electric roller blinds via the app if you don't have Wi-Fi, but you can still operate them with the remote control or by hand if you have chosen this option. 

The benefits of Motionblinds electric roller blinds 

•         Easy to install, even if you have no technical experience.
•         Wireless installation, so you don't need power cables – just hang them up and you're ready to go.
•         Smart electric roller blinds with various types of control: via the app, a pull control, or optionally a remote control.
•         Pairing your devices is easy, irrespective of the smart home system used (Apple HomeKit, Google Home or Amazon Alexa). It's easy, even if you're not technically minded. A hub is not required for Apple users.

Want to know more about our electric blinds? 

There are lots of misunderstandings about electric blinds, so we aren't surprised if you still have questions. Our experts are more than happy to help. Contact us to find out more!