Home Automation Ideas
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Lighting
Probably the most popular control category and a great way to get involved with home automation. Have your lights turn on at dusk and off at your desired time. You can also give your house that "lived in" look while you're away. Have a bathroom light or any other room ligh turn on when you enter the room. Starter kits begin around $15 plus installation, and are reasonably easy to install and configure. Dim fixtures you could never dim before, control them from anywhere in the house (or world via the Internet).
Appliance Control
Have your computer and network shutdown completely every night to save energy. Start the coffee pot before you get up in the morning. Close your skylight when it rains. Have your whole home theater turn on and tune to the desired station after one press of a button on your remote.
Security Systems & Access Control
Have your home call you and/or loved ones if there is an alert status. You can save money on security monitoring services or even monitor for non-traditional security events like water in the laundry room or basement. Additionally, you can unlock the front door to let friends in or close the garage door from your office via the web. Monitor the driveway for cars coming in, the mailbox for mail delivery or newspaper delivery.
Home Theater & Entertainment
Just imagine replacing that pile of remotes with just one controller. Now, imagine not having to know all 10 steps to start up your home theater - just press the HBO icon and your home automation products/system will do the rest. Built-in speakers are especially popular with homeowners as they provide beautiful sound throughout the house while adding no clutter whatsoever.
Phone Systems
Phone systems which are usually used for small business applications are surprisingly convenient in the home. With caller ID and a home automation controller you can even screen your calls for only those you wish to cause your phone to ring. Voice control software turns every phone in your home into a remote controller.
Thermostats
Remote control thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature from bed at night or even from a cell phone while on your way home (or to your 2nd home!). They can even trigger a notice to you if the temperature gets too low (freezing pipes) or too high (pets, plants, etc.).
Irrigation
Have your sprinklers turn on only when it's dry. Some of our customers even turn the sprinklers on when there's motion in the yard at unwanted times - imagine someone trying to explain the wet clothes to the police!
Networking
Home automation can be accomplished using various types of connectivity. What's great is that many of today's home automation products need no new wires - so they are perfect to retrofit into an existing home. If you are building new, or doing a major remodel, please consider adding networking, audio, video and control wiring while it is easy and relatively inexpensive, later on you'll be happy you did.
Anything Else You Can Imagine
... (Well almost anyway).
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