Systems - Home Control

Photo courtesy of Russound

OVERVIEW

Separately, a lighting control system, a smart climate control system, a security system and other systems afford convenience, comfort and luxury to any new home. But it's when these and other systems operate synchronously that the benefits of living in a smart home make an enormous impact. United under a common control system (a home control system), independent "subsystems" can alter the atmosphere of the entire house with one press of a button. For example, a HOME button on a home control keypad could be programmed to brighten certain lights, bump up the thermostats, disarm the security system and cue the whole-house music system. Accomplishing this same scenario without the help of a home control system would require at least a half-dozen button presses.

Also helpful is a home control system's ability to automate certain tasks. For example, when a home control system receives a disarm signal from a security system, recognizes that it's 4 p.m., and knows by the code punched into the security keypad that your kids have returned home from school, it can set up the house accordingly -- perhaps keeping all the windows armed and turning on the kitchen lights. Different conditions might produce different scenarios.

PLANNING ISSUES

What You Need to Consider

The Wiring: Some home control systems communicate with subsystems via standard electrical wiring; others communicate over dedicated low-voltage cabling. Those that utilize electrical wiring, called powerline-based systems, are less expensive and usually easier to install. However, they are often less reliable and less intelligent than low-voltage-based home control systems. For example, you may not be able to integrate the dimming of lights and the control of audio/video equipment into the control sequences of an inexpensive home control system. The sophistication of the subsystems and the level of automation you desire may require the horsepower of a low-voltage home control system (a security system or lighting control system can often perform as a home control system).

The Keypads: No matter how well a home control system performs, if it's too difficult to operate, you'll never enjoy all of its features. Think long and hard about what kinds of devices you'd like to use to interact with the subsystems of a home control system. Touchscreens are expensive, but are usually the most intuitive to use (similar to using an ATM); keypads are more affordable, but might be a good choice as a secondary means of control. Web tablets, PDAs, telephones, and remote controls can also be used to issue commands to a home control system.

Automation: A home control system's claim to fame is its ability to automate certain functions of a home. However, there is a fine line between automation that's sensible and automation that's way over the top. A professional home systems installer can configure a home control system to automate the filter of a fish tank, a radiant floor heating system, an electronic pet door -- just about anything. Overdo it, and your home may feel more like a laboratory than a comfortable retreat. Automate only functions that are part of your ordinary daily routine, like turning lights on and off, locking up the house, playing music, and watching movies, for example.

A Headend: The process of each subsystem connects to the central processing unit of a home control system via wire. Dedicate a space inside your home's basement in which to house these critical pieces of equipment.

Add-Ons
A home control system is an extremely useful tool for managing the house while you're away at work or vacation. And there's no better way to monitor the systems of your new home and alter them than through the Internet. A number of home control systems are now accessible through the Web. By entering a personal and secure Web site, you can view the status of subsystems connected to the home control system -- things like lights, thermostats and security sensors; then, with the click of a mouse, change their settings remotely. To make your Internet sessions with your home system as convenient as possible, subscribe to a high-speed, broadband Internet service.