How to 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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Publications

1. 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.)
2. 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.
3. Calculate your budget. Prices can range from a few hundred dollars for basic systems to many thousands of dollars for whole-house automation systems.
4. Make sure that any system you're considering installing will work with your current furnace and air conditioner, security system, and home entertainment equipment. You may need to replace light switches, alarm controllers and thermostats.
5. Place the master control panel, also known as the headend, in a convenient, central spot. This is where home automation systems come together.
6. Consider a powerline or radio frequency (RF) controls if you're installing home automation in an existing house. These don't require extra wiring for controls, but tend to be less useful or flexible than systems that operate with low-voltage wiring.
7. Get a system with external remote control capabilities so you can turn on your home's system as you approach, check its status when you're away, and shut down the house as you leave. Remote controls include telephone and Internet-based controls.
8. Look for a system with a vacation mode. This tracks your lighting patterns while you're home, and re-creates them when you're gone so your house appears occupied. Separate programs for weekdays and weekends should be standard.
9. Check out the wireless touch-screen controllers to be sure they are programmable, make sense, and work anywhere in the house.
10. Install an uninterruptible power supply with your system to maintain service even if the power goes off.
11. If you're looking to combine top-of-the-line products from a variety of vendors, make sure they're compatible with each other.
12. Shop for a system that gives you maximum flexibility. The more preset options, the better.

What to Look For:

• Pie-in-the-sky ideas
• Plan that fits your budget
• Compatability with existing systems
• Remote access
• Vacation mode
• Programmable touchscreen controllers
• Uninterruptible power supply
• Compatibility among products
• Maximum flexibility

Tips & Warnings

• Each individual system (lights, security, heating and cooling, media) is a subsystem in an overall home automation system.
• The best time to install a home automation system is when you're in the building or remodeling process.

Who Can Help:

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