How Do You Buy A Home Automation System?
If you’ve seen so-called smart houses with remote controls for lights, heating and cooling, security, home theater, and even window shades, you’ve probably been amazed–and they’re not just available for high-end homes. Here’s how to put automation into your home. Start fantasizing. Pore through Electronic House, Home Automation and Popular Home Automation magazines or go online to see what’s available. Look at Home-Automation.org or in Yellow Pages under “Home Theater and Automation Systems.” (See How to Hire a Contractor, Plumber, Painter or Electrician.) Think about what you’d like to automate. If you plan to start small–with just lights, perhaps–get a system that can be expanded when you want to add other functions. Some of the more common automated systems are lighting control, heating and cooling, security systems and audio-video controls. Hey, if you want your oven preheated automatically, you can do that do. Calculate your budget. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars f
