 What
is a Smart Home?
A smart or intelligent home uses basic (and assistive) devices to
build an environment in which many features in the home are automated
and where devices can communicate with each other. Many of the basic
devices are readily available and currently used in home security
systems, such as passive infrared sensors, pressure pads and magnetic
reed switches.
A Smart Home is the incorporation of a multitude
of technologies all converged into your house, making it personlized
to your specifications.
The Potential of a Smart Home
Smart homes have the potential to enable not only the normal person,
but also the elderly and disabled to lead independent lives in their
own homes. The devices and their interactions need to be chosen and
designed in such a way that the system as a whole meets the specific
needs of the householder.
What Can I Control?
Inside a Smart Home, you can control almost anything and everything
in your house.
Lighting
Probably the most popular control category and a great way to get involved
with home automation. Starter kits begin at $10 or so and are plug-and-play
easy to install. Dim fixtures you could never dim before, control them
from anywhere in the house (or world via the Internet).
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, Smarthome products include devices which will allow you
to unlock the front door to let friends in or close the garage door
from your office via the web.
Home Theater & Entertainment
Just imagine replacing that pile of remotes with just one controller.
Now, imagine not having to know all 10 steps to starting 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.
The
Old with the New
It also uses other familiar devices, like infrared transmitters similar
to TV remote controls, smoke, heat and gas detectors, door entry systems,
powered doors etc. In an intelligent house all these devices are connected
together on a communication network. This communication network can
be a special cable, mains wiring and/or radio frequencies.
How It Works
One of the leading standards for communication between "Smart"
devices is a protocol named X10.
Wired
X10 is a communications "language" that allows compatible
products to talk to each other using the existing electrical wiring
in the home. Most X10 compatible products are very affordable and the
fact that they talk over existing wires in your home means that no costly
rewiring is necessary. Installation is simple, a transmitter plugs (or
wires) in at one location in the home and sends its control signal (on,
off, dim, bright, etc.) to a receiver which plugs (or wires) into another
location in the home.
Wireless
These products add the convenience of a radio frequency link (e.g. signals
which travel through the air) to X10 products. Popular products in this
class include wireless hand-held remote controls and wireless motion
detectors. A plug-in unit with an antenna is required to catch the radio
signal from the wireless unit and puts the X10 signal onto the line
(just like a garage door remote activates the opener).
Using simple dials or buttons you assign each product
with one of up to 256 addresses. If you wish two products to go on and
off together you can set them to the same address or use scene addresses
on many advanced products. All X10 compatible products can be freely
mixed and matched.
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