What Systems In Your Home Would You Like To Control?
One of the first decisions you should make when considering home automation product is, what systems in your home would you like to control? These systems are best understood when they are broken down into subsystems.
Entertainment
This subsystem is usually the first one everyone wants to control, because each different component in an entertainment system comes with its own remote. Replacing all your remotes with one controller is the quickest way for everyone to begin to enjoy their home entertainment. Another big advantage is having the ability to move your music to any room in the home or having the movie you are watching follow you to another TV in a different part of the house.
Climate
Climate subsystems can be managed according to the time of day, or they can detect open doors or windows and shut down the HVAC system until they are closed. Some systems even offer you your own weather station to tell you wind speed, inside and outside temperature, humidity at your location and much more. Programmable thermostats address comfort and efficiency by maintaining a schedule consistent with your family’s presence in the home.
Lighting and Shades
Controlling your lights allows you to create environments that optimize activities. Control systems can light your hallway for ease of access at night or turn on the landscape lighting as the sun sets. Shade systems can follow the sun as it rises or sets to optimize energy efficiency and maximum natural light. The possibilities for lighting-based control are endless.
Security
Security and alarm systems normally address most of the safety issues in the home environment. Adding control of security lighting at night can prevent unwanted accidents such as falling down the stairs or add to the burglary deterrent by flashing exterior lights when motion is detected. You can also use security sensors to trigger climate and lighting scenes in case the alarm system is armed or disarmed. Imagine having your driveway light up as you pull onto your property, then your interior lights turn on and your security system deactivates as you enter.
Home Data Network
Increasingly home automation systems are being designed to utilize the home data network to pass control information or stream digital media as mentioned above. This subsystem will pay a larger role over time allowing the integration of entertainment, computing and appliances into a coordinated home network.
Controllers
The most important piece of the home control and automation puzzle is how you and your family will operate all of these technologies. Controllers are the devices you will use and they can range from the traditional hand-held remote, to keypad devices, all the way to touch-screen interfaces with customized designs. The more advanced the device becomes, the simpler the operation of your various subsystems. The least expensive type of control device is a hand-held remote, and unlike the universal controllers you mnay already be familiar with, these programmable remotes allow you to do much more than just learn the commands of the devices in you’re your home. Many can control lighting well as entertainment functions and additionally, they have the capability of macros.
Keypads are the second type of control system and these can be made to be portable like the handheld devices previously mentioned, but they can also be installed in a wall. They are available in many types and sizes, but the most common are three and six button systems. They are also available in a variety of colors to match your decor and can be engraved for instant recognition of the keys.
The most comprehensive type of control device is a touch screen type of interface. Touch screens allow you to customize the look and feel for ease of recognition and use.
While touch screens do require significantly more programming time,their ability to execute multiple strings of commands at the touch of a button makes them the most versatile choice for home automation systems. Touch screens can be mounted on a wall or placed on a tabletop.
The last type of controller is your mobile device (like iPads and iphones) and these are extremely attractive options because they give you control of your home from both inside and outside the premises.
The implementation of control is only as good as the programmer, the wiring and the installation. For this reason, think long and hard about your budget and make this one of the earliest choices in the planning of your new home or remodeling project.
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