What is home automation?
Home Automation is automating the control of your home so it works for you, adding convenience and making your life easier, even while saving energy! It can be as basic as dimming lights with a remote control or as complex as setting up a network of items in your home (such as a thermostat, security system, lighting and appliances) that can be programmed using a main controller or even with your cell phone from anywhere in the world! It is now possible, using wireless home automation devices with state-of-the-art Z-Wave technology, to control every aspect of your home environment without installing a single wire. The definition and capabilities of home automation have changed considerably over the years. Three decades ago, when home automation was rarely thought of by most people, consumers were promised “the home of the future.” Home automation was known primarily to X10 enthusiasts and was installed by professionals in luxury homes. Today’s technology makes it simpler and more afford
Home automation is defined as a process or system (using different methods or equipment) which provides the ability to enhance one’s lifestyle, and make a home more comfortable, safe and efficient. Home automation can link lighting, entertainment, security, telecommunications, heating and air conditioning into one centrally controlled system. Automation allows you to make your house an active partner in managing your busy life. Your automated home is no longer a passive structure. Instead, it becomes a tool in helping you make the most of your time, enhancing your safety and security, even saving you money on your energy bills! How does it work? A central microprocessor (computer) receives signals from controlling devices, then forwards those signals to the appliances and systems in the house you want controlled. The central processor serves as a traffic cop by initiating and/or routing communication signals throughout the house. As the user, you can interface with the system via keypa
For some it may be something as simple as remote or automatic control of a few lights. For others, security may be the central application. Still others may choose to install advanced controllers or use voice recognition. As a very basic definition, home automation is anything that gives you remote or automatic control of things around the home. Adding home automation to an existing home is surprisingly affordable and simple. The average product costs less than $40 and most require no new wires! Take the guess work out of what to buy and check out the Good, Better & Best Product Comparison Chart for both existing homes (retrofit) and new construction homes. Included is everything from lighting control, surveillance, irrigation, whole home audio/video and more! To see what a Smart Home is all about, check out the Interactive Home Tour.
You’ve heard about Smart Home or Smart House technology, but what is it all about? Your home has systems, right now, that work independently. They include: Each system has it’s own controller or remote. The systems typically do not talk to each other, or even care what the other is up to. That has been fine as long as everything works. But what if you can integrate all of your home systems, with one controller, or series of controllers strategically located in your home? System Integration The features and benefits of your subsystems operate exactly like you are used to. Home Automation integrates all or some of your subsystems for added benefits and convenience. Here are some popular examples. Alarm Setting alarm to away mode triggers: Lighting system to “all off” If dark, front light on and lights set to random. Heat down or AC up to predetermined setting. Audio and Video equipment turned off. Setting alarm to vacation mode triggers: Lighting system to “all off”. If dark, front light
2 Why automate your home? 3 How to Automate 3.1 Professional Installers 3.2 Do It Yourself (DIY) 3.2.1 Technology 3.2.2 Hardware Controllers 3.2.3 Software Controllers 3.2.4 Control Software 4 External Links The formal definition of ‘automation’ is “the technique of making an apparatus, a process, or a system operate automatically”. So, simply put, Home Automation is a way to have things around your home happen automatically. The first thing that comes to mind when folks think of home automation are robots, flashing lights, complicated electronics and a general feeling that their home is less of a warm home and more of a cold science experiment.
