Home Automation
Home Automation - Save Money & Enhance Your Lifestyle - Some
Exciting Applications
by Steve Faber
Wouldn't it be nice to have your home take care of things for
you, automatically, without you having to lift a finger? You bet
it would. That is the promise of home automation.
There are many
different systems, especially in larger homes, that can benefit
from being integrated. Some of these systems include security
alarm, HVAC, audio / video, and lighting. Home automation
integrates these systems together, enabling them to function
more efficiently, improve functionality, conserve resources and
enhance your lifestyle.
That's the name of the game; an enhanced lifestyle. Everyone can
benefit from a better life and modern electronic systems can
help provide it. In addition, as the cost of resources continues
to rise and the price of electronics continues to fall, home
automation systems will prove to be even more cost effective.
The combination of the modern consumer's thirst for convenience
and increasing economic advantages will propel home automation
more into the mainstream.
So, what are some of the fun things a home automation system can
do for you? Here are some common applications:
1) As you pull up the driveway you press a button on your
key-fob remote. The security system disarms and a path is lit
from the garage to the kitchen. Your favorite music comes on in
the kitchen and family room. Five minutes after you arrive home
the lights in your mudroom and garage hall turn off.
2) As you leave, you arm the security system into away mode
using your key-fob remote. Your lights turn off throughout the
house, saving you from going around turning off different lights
throughout the home. Your blinds close. Your music turns off. If
you have forced-air heat, it is set back. All from one button
press.
3) Set whole house scenes for different events to include
lighting, music, HVAC, and security.
Example: A) An
entertainment scene would have the lights set to the "entertain"
preset, the security system off, the music to the appropriate
party play list, and the HVAC set-back a few degrees to
compensate for the added body heat from the additional people in
the house.
B) The "Holiday" scene could run concurrently with
other scenes and turn the Christmas lights on and play the
Holiday music play list through the outside speakers.
4) Different lighting scenes can be preset for different events
such as entertaining, away, coming home, etc. This is excellent
to recall favorite lighting levels automatically. It also avoids
you having to go throughout the home and set dimmer levels.
Dimming lights saves considerable energy and dramatically
extends the life of light bulbs. An incandescent light at 90%
will last almost twice as long as the same light at 100%.
5) Motion-activated lighting automatically turns on the bathroom
lights to 25% if you get up between 12:00 midnight and 5:00am,
avoiding harsh light on your still sleepy eyes. If you walk out
of your bedroom door late at night, a path is lit to the kitchen
for you at 35%.
6) You get an email notifying you if your security system is
tripped or disarmed. This is great for knowing when kids get
home after school or alerting you to problems when you are away
from home. E-mail and pager alerts can be used for a variety of
conditions that may need monitoring such as low fuel-oil,
occupancy or motion in certain areas, or water leaks in the
mechanical or utility room.
7) Skylights automatically close in response to rain and/or wind.
8) If upstairs windows are open, the heat in those rooms is
disabled to avoid wasting energy and a message is displayed on
the home's touch panels to alert you.
9) Weather information can be displayed on the home's touch
panels. If the wind speed increases to beyond 50mph, protective
shutters can be activated over the windows.
10) Motorized window treatments can be lowered automatically in
response to direct sunlight. This prevents fading of valuable
furniture, carpets and artwork. It also reduces interior
heating, reducing AC expenditures.
11) You phone from your car while returning from a ski trip to
ensure your hot tub is warmed up and ready to jump in
immediately upon your return.
These are just a sample of different home automation
applications commonly used to enhance lifestyles, save money and
conserve resources. The possibilities are almost endless,
limited only by your budget and imagination.
About the Author:
Steve has 15 yrs in electronics. He is a CEDIA certified
designer with ISF and THX certificates. Experience includes:
installer and programmer; system designer; business unit
director for an a/v importer; sales rep for a CE distributor;
and principal of a $1.5M+ CEDIA firm. He's now senior sales
engineer for Digital Cinema Design in Redmond, WA. See him at The Home Theater and Automation
Guide
CIE's programs include both theory and hands-on training
that will give you the skills and confidence necessary to
start a new career or advance in the one you already have.
Click here for a complete list of CIE's courses.
Request a FREE CIE Course Catalog!
