Home Automation

Info
Series
ElEctronic
House
Home
Control
Think of all the electronic parts of your house that need your
attention: lights, thermostats, audio/video equipment, security
system, garage door opener the list goes on. Before you leave
for work or go to bed, youll need to adjust the settings of several
devicesand that can take minutes of your time. Even if you
dont mind sweeping through your house to hit every light switch
and thermostat, youre bound to miss a few. Thats no good for
your convenience or for your energy bill. A home control system
is the solution.
on
Electronic House Info Series: Home Control
2011 EH Publishing
Electronic House Info Series: Home Control 2
A
home control system lets you manage hundreds
of separate devices from one conveniently located
interface. This interface could be a touchpanel
mounted to the wall by your bed, a handheld remote
in the family room or even the iPhone in your
pocket. The home control system and its respective interfaces
are programmed by a custom electronics (CE) pro to streamline
your standard household routines. For example, a BEDTIME button
could signal every light but the hallway fxtures to turn off,
the thermostats to set back, the security system to arm and the
motorized window shades to close. Another scene or mode
might tell the family room lights to dim to 20 percent and the
audio/video gear to rev up when the MOVIE button on your remote
is engaged.
Some routines can be set up by a CE pro to happen automatically,
based on the time of day, occupancy in a room, the weather or
some other condition. So instead of touching a button to start
the bedtime sweep, you can let the system trigger the lights,
thermostats, security system and window shades automatically at
11 p.m.
In this document, youll learn about the types of devices that can
be managed by a home control system, the various interfaces you
can use to communicate with your system and what its like to live
in an automated home.
Info
Series
ElEctronic
House
Table of Contents
Intro
Why Home Control? 4

Design & Inspiration
Touchpanel Designs 7
The iPad and Home Control 10
Apple of Their Eye: Award-Winning Automated Home 12

Resources
Home Control FAQs 18
Home Control Trends 20
Links and Resources 23
Info
Series
ElEctronic
House
Why Home Control
The low-down on why your home needs a system.
O
nE oF ThE BEST ThIngS you CAn gIvE your houSE IS A ConTrol SySTEm.
It is the ultimate in luxury, affording you and your family a nearly effortless way to
manage everything from the lights to the lawn sprinklers. Think of a home control system
as a machine that keeps every electronic item in a house perfectly in synch. Its akin
to a remote you might use to watch a movie in your family room, but with much less
button pushing required, and it can operate much more than audio and video equipment. Driven by a
sophisticated processor, a home control system can be designed and programmed precisely to your needs
and to integrate the operation of a host of different electronic devices.
The Devices
Lights: youll be able to have the lights turn on and off, or brighten and dim automatically based on the
time of day or some other condition. you can always activate a lighting scene, like one that sets the
fxtures for a movie, by pressing a button on a touchpanel, remote control, iPad or some other control unit.
Outdoor landscape fxtures even can be integrated into lighting scenes.
Security: Did you lock the door after you left the house? Want to know whos knocking before you answer?
Wondering about the well-being of your house while youre on vacation? A home control system lets you
monitor and manage a security system, including surveillance cameras, from a variety of control devices,
both in the home and remotely.
Audio and Video: you can get your media room prepared for movie night in seconds. Just tap a button on
your remote and the lights dim, the Tv activates and all the appropriate gear revs up. Plus, if your home has
a whole-house music and/or video system, youll be able to view your entire media library on the screen of
a home control touchpanel, for example, choose what you want to hear or watch and direct it to a certain set
of speakers or Tveven the ones you have outside on the deck.
Thermostats: Sure, most thermostats these days are smart enough to follow a schedule you set up for them,
but when theyre tied to a home control system, they can function even more effciently and ensure that your
home always feels comfortable. For example, a PARTY command could not only set the lights for a gathering
of friends, but also kick up the air conditioning so the house doesnt get too warm.
Motorized Window Coverings: A home control system ensures that the shades, blinds and draperies
are always in the correct position, be it for privacy, energy savings or daylight harvesting. Per settings
programmed into a home control system, the blinds in the bedroom can gradually ascend in the morning and
lower at night. If theres an ample amount of sunshine, they can lower to prevent a room from becoming too
warm or open to let in the light.
Lifts and Mounts: Popular features in many home theaters are video projectors and screens that lower
from the ceiling. In bedrooms, kitchens and other spaces, homeowners will often place their Tvs on
motorized lifts so the displays can lower into cabinets when not in use. like the motors that lift and lower
window blinds and shades, the lifts that raise and lower projectors, screens and Tvs can also be operated
from a central home control system.
Swimming Pool, Spa & Fountains: you can extend the reach of a home control system to the outdoors,
making it quick and easy to get the pool, spa and fountains ready for a backyard party. Since a home
control system can be operated remotely via a cell phone, so you can even warm up the water on your
way home from work.
Windows: need fresh air? By adding motorized cranks to your windows and having them integrated
into a home control system, you can take advantage of the breeze without lifting a fnger. A home control
system can open and shut the windows at predetermined times. Add a moisture sensor, and they can close
at the frst drop of rain.
Gas Fireplaces: Handheld remotes are available with many models of gas freplaces, but with the help
of a home control system, the hearth can light automatically if the room temperature falls below a certain
level. or have it turn on every morning or night, then turn off when you arm your security system.
The Controllers
Keypads: one of the least expensive types of controller, a keypad is mounted physically to the wall.
Each button on a keypad can be programmed to operate any number of devices you deem necessary. For
example, a HELLO button on a keypad by the front door could light a pathway to the kitchen, turn on the
music and activate the family room freplace, while a CHANDELIER button simply turns on the chandelier in
the foyer.
Handheld Remotes: Just like the buttons on a keypad, the buttons on a remote can be programmed to
control whatever you want. Because they are portable, they are most commonly used to operate the
electronics in a media room. Some home control systems can display a menu of control options on the
screen of a Tv; you can use your remote to navigate the menu and launch commands.
Mobile Devices: The newest category of control device affords the utmost in convenience, allowing you
to monitor and manage every device thats connected to your home control system from an iPad, iPhone,
laptop computer or some of other type of mobile deviceboth from inside and outside your home.
Touchpanels: A touchpanel is able to display all sorts of information in a layout and design thats tailored
to your own personal style. In addition to displaying buttons, sliders and icons that let you operate the
systems in your home, a touchpanel can present web pages, views from surveillance cameras, even Tv
shows and movies.
Types of Systems
There are basically two types of home control systems: those that communicate with devices via special
cabling (called hardwired) and those that use either standard electrical cabling or radio-frequency
airwaves to transmit commands to lights, thermostats, A/v equipment and other devices. For the most
part, hardwired systems are more robust and reliable, although wireless home control systems are getting
increasingly smarter and sophisticated. naturally, a hardwired home control system is easiest to install
while a home is under construction. The cabling thats required can be routed before the walls go up. A
wireless home control system is a great alternative for owners of existing homes. And you easily add on
to the system, relocate devices and even take it with you should you move into a new house.
Touchpanel Designs
Whatever your control needs or personal tastes, a touchpanel can
be tailored to satisfy.
A
sophisticated and connected home hides much of its technology behind the walls, but the
most visible element is the lCD touchpanel. The touchpanel is the device installed into a
wall, fxed on a tabletop or carried around to provide access to every system in your home:
audio/video, lighting, heating and ventilation, security, you name it. The touchpanel brings
the Wow factor to a home control system.
The touchpanel, however, is only one
part of a much larger home control and
automation systemand that larger
system is what you need to focus on. The
system, whether from big players like
Crestron, Control4 or AmX, or newer
innovators like Savant or universal
remote Control, should satisfy all your
control and automation needs before
you decide on the touchpanels or in-wall
controllers that operate it.
Think of the touchpanel as a remotea
fancy remotebut still a remote. you
dont purchase a car because you like
the steering wheel, and you dont
purchase a Tv because it comes with
a larger remote than its competitor.
Still, the touchpanel is the piece that
will impress your guests. It allows you
to interact with your system, provides
you with a visual guide to what youre
controlling, and can make the difference
between having a happy relationship
with your system or a frustrating one.
most home control companies offer a
selection of touchpanels, wand remotes or wall-mounted switches. The options and features will vary greatly from
manufacturer to manufacturer, and theyll be designed for optimal communication with that control system. many
manufacturers also offer apps so you can use your own devices, like cell phones, tablet computers and laptops,
as extra controllers. The iPad and iPhone are the most popular, and all of the major control companies offer apps
for those devices. Also remember that a complete system will probably include multiple touchpanels. We dont
recommend selecting your system based on the touchpanel, but we do offer the following guidelines to consider
when making your touchpanel decisions.
Size
This may vary by room and by your use. In a kitchen, for example, many users prefer large touchpanels that can double
as television displays or web browsers. When youre in the kitchen with your hands full, a small screen that requires
multiple touches to view your options can be inconvenient, so think larger. A dining room, on the other hand, likely
requires fewer button presses to get at the controls youll need, so a smaller in-wall touchpanel will do. In a living
room or home theater, a tabletop system makes for much more convenient control over the entertainment system, but a
touchpanel thats too big becomes unwieldy when youre just trying to change channels or pause a movie.
Wall, Table or Handheld
Touchpanels come in many forms, from elaborate remote controls that you can hold in your hand to fush-mounted
wall panels that remain in place. Again, the form you select for each room is dependent on how you plan to use it. A
wall-mounted unit is convenient in a room where you wont be accessing the device frequentlysuch as a dining
room, hallway or entryway. A wall-mounted controller in a kitchen is also convenient because it keeps the device off
the counter and out of the way of things that could damage it. In a media room or home theater, a wall mount would
not be convenient, because you wont want to get up to adjust the volume or turn down the lights.
Wired or Wireless
Touchpanels can communicate with the control system in various ways. you want something thats convenient
for the application, but also reliable and robust enough for the data. Some devices will communicate primarily via
Wi-Fi (such as tablet PCs or smartphones) while others will use wireless radio frequency (rF). Wi-Fi is extremely
convenient, but not always reliable due to its range and interference issues. The connection your touchpanel has
to the control system can also affect the systems speed. We want our devices to react immediately, like fipping a
light switch, so a robust and reliable connection can make or break your experience.
Power
If youre using a tabletop touchpanel, do you want it to be fxed and always connected to power? Thats
convenient if you want to know where it is, but you cant walk around with it. on the other hand,
a rechargeable battery-operated system could fail if you let the charge run out. In a dining room, a
rechargeable handheld unit is probably less convenient than a permanently mounted system. For a wall
panel, many new systems use Power over Ethernet (PoE), which allows a high-speed Category 5 network
cable to provide the powerthis makes installation of the system much simpler.
Software
The software is the key. This cant be emphasized enough, and its nearly impossible for a buyer to evaluate
independently. A home automation control system is basically a computer designed to do a limited number
of functions, and do them well. The touchpanel is the device that talks to the computer and tells it to close
the shades, turn up the music or arm the security system. Whether the system is mac-based, Windows-based
or proprietary makes little difference, except when considering what accessory devices it might work with.
your custom electronics (CE) pro will be the best person to advise you on this.
Graphics
The graphic user interface (guI) refers to the way the touchpanel looks on the screen. For the most
advanced systems, the guI can be customized by the programmer. Some programmers are wizards at
creating inventive guIs for a home, while others will go for more common but functional guIs.
Buttons or Not
While the main aesthetic appeal of a touchpanel is the lCD screen, theres something to be said for
tactile or hard buttons. many touchpanels include dedicated hard buttons for basic applications such
as volume and light control. hard buttons for frequently accessed features save you from having to tap
through multiple screens to get what you wantespecially if your touchpanel always defaults to a main
home screen. Also, there may be some rooms in the house where you wont need an elaborate lCD
touchpanel, and for those a panel with a few simple hard buttons will work well and cost less.
Expandability
yes, the touchpanel is only the steering wheel of your control system, but that steering wheel needs to
be ready for whatever driving conditions it encounters. What you expect out of your control system will
almost certainly change over time, so plan ahead for expansion. Do you need the ability to communicate
in different ways? Do you need the fexibility to add more devices or options? Do you need sound and
video? Do you need web access? your budget might exclude the most advanced features, but its smart to
think ahead about what you might want to do down the road.
Using the iPad as A Home
Control Device
When the iPod touch and iPhone became available, some predicted they would
cause the end of advanced, programmable remote controls. many apps were
released to enable these devies to operate A/v components. Still, the iPhone hasnt
replaced the remote.
The iPad is now making the same waves, and there are some reasons it makes for
a very effective control panel. First, its a lot less expensive than most advanced
automation touchpanels. you can add apps without professional help, and many
control companies now have iPad apps available.
So whats the problem? The biggest problem is that if youre using your iPad to
control your lights, security and home theater, then youre not able to use it to read an
electronic book, browse the web or navigate your way around town. If you leave the
house with it, whoevers at home will still need access to the control system.
The iPad is an excellent complement to a home automation system, but most users will still need a dedicated device to use
as their primary system interface.
on the other hand, one company, Savant, promotes Apple devices (iPad and iPod touch) as the primary interfaces for its
companys mac-based control systems, and even sells them as part of its control packages.
We asked a few seasoned custom electronics professionals (CE pros) for their take on the popular device
and how they think it will impact the way we manage our household electronics.
The Good
BIG SCREEN. The almost 10-inch screen provides plenty of real estate for displaying buttons you might use to
control various electronic devices. The more space you have on a screen, the less youll have to scroll or fip to
get to what you want, says Derek Cowburn of DistinctAv, in mcCordsville, Ind. This will make the iPad a great
interface for managing large collections of media and for browsing information. For example, with the iPad youll
be able to browse on-demand listings without having to turn on the Tv.
COST. Starting at $499, the iPad may seem pricey, but its far less expensive than most home control touchpanels of
similar size. Its poised to open up opportunities for people interested in home control, but who cant afford a large-
size touchpanel from a home control manufacturer, says Joe Calderaro of Audio video Interiors, medina, ohio.
APPLE BACKING. Almost every home control system manufacturer offers an app for the iPhone and iPod
touch. you can bet theyll be doing the same (many already have) for the iPad. once the control manufacturers
are on board, the iPad will be a real game changer, says ryan herd of one Sound Choice, Pompton Plains, n.J.
The Bad
TOUGH TO OPERATE. Apps may help leverage the iPad as a home
control device, but at a potential risk to its usability. People arent going to
want to have to constantly switch between different apps to control different
things, Cowburn explains. If all the controls can tie back to a single app,
then the iPad becomes a very powerful device.
EASY TO MISPLACE. unlike an iPhone thats usually in your pocket, the
iPad will likely be carted around the house by everyone in the family. This
may sound super-convenient, but just wait until someone leaves it where
you cant fnd it.
TOO MUCH STUFF. A jack of all trades, a master of none is how
some CE pros describe multifunctional products like the iPad. Calderaro
compares it to his BlackBerry. my BlackBerry takes pictures, and Ill occasionally use it to take a
quick snapshot, but if I want good pictures Ill use my camera. Similarly, he thinks the iPad will be
used occasionally to operate electronic devices, but serious control consumers will continue to rely on
interfaces designed for the task.
Apple of Their Eye
One of TVs most colorful characters designed this house, but
its the ingenious use of Apple-based technology that steals the
spotlight and our Home of the Year contests top award.
L
IghTS ThAT SWITCh on AuTomATICAlly AT DuSk: BEEn ThErE.
Thermostats that set back when the security system is armed: Done that. But a shower thats
preset to the perfect temperature and water velocity, an iron that warms up in preparation for
the morning rush, and a chandelier that fashes to indicate that the powder room is out of toilet
paper?
Completely uncommon automation scenarios, says Drew Balsman of hD media Systems in Jackson,
mo., yet they make perfect sense for the family that lives in this house, which was recently chosen as
Electronic houses 2011 home of the year.
Take the iron scenario. As mom Angie explains, with school uniforms, husband Shannons work shirts
and other items to press almost daily, it streamlines the morning rush to have the iron good and hot the
second she hits the laundry room. Thats all Angie had to tell Balsman and partner Scott Starzinger. The
hD media Systems team programmed the Davis Savant automation system to make that magic happen.
As Angie gets dressed, she taps a button on a vantage wall-mounted keypad in her walk-in closet and the
Savant system turns on the iron. Its a simple implementation of technology, but little control tricks like
this are making a huge difference in the effciency of their household, Angie and Shannon agree.
The kitchen is the heart of our 2011 home of the year, so thats where the owners chose to plant docking stations for their iPads and iPhones. The iPad
performs all of the typical iPad tasks, plus allows the owners to control every electronic system in their home; the iPhone dock streams their collection of
iTunes music and videos to speakers and Tvs inside and out.
The family-friendly, tasteful and clean interior design contributes to the nice, easy fow of the home, too.
Fashioned by Jeff lewis, star of the Bravo Tv series Flipping Out (read about lewis take on technology on
page 17), the rooms provide a calm, soothing backdrop for some truly incredible applications of technology.
Automation Mastermind
Although hD media Systems was instrumental in designing, installing and programming the Savant system
that runs Angie and Shannons 5,500-square foot contemporary craftsman home, Balsman credits Shannon
as the mastermind behind many of its unique and clever automation features. hes an extreme early adopter
who is always looking for new ways to utilize technology. often, being on the bloody cutting edge, can be
painful, admits Shannon, but not when it came to learning to use and live with the Savant automation system.
The fact that it runs on an Apple-based operating system had a lot to do with the pain-free adoption of
automation. We are Apple fends, says Shannon. We own eight iPads, eight iPhones and four [iPod]
touches, and use mac computers exclusively. Balsman and Starzinger transformed these mobile devices
into home control interfaces by downloading Savants app onto them. After that, they customized the
onscreen layouts by adding special buttons, icons and sliders to simplify the navigation of the home
control menus and commands. The screen looks the same on every device, be it a wall-mounted iPad in
the kitchen or the iPhone in Shannons pocket. Several Tvs can display the Savant control menu, too,
with navigation performed via a handheld remote control. The addition of the Savant home control app
affected none of the iPads or iPhones functionality. The Davises still use them to download and store
music from iTunes, check the weather forecast and log on to their favorite websites.
Prepped to Party
Quick and easy access to music and video has made the Davis residence a favorite hangout of family and friends.
We had at least 400 people here for an open house around Christmas, says Angie. We had a playlist of music
playing through the entire house and pictures of our house being built displayed on every Tv. Fifteen zones of
virtually undetectable Sonance in-ceiling speakers delivered the audio; and 10 displays, including a 110-inch
vutec screen in the media room, presented the video.
For this and any gathering they host, the Davises welcome visitors to mix things up by popping their own iPhones
into the in-wall docking stations. Partygoers are encouraged to make special requests, too. Say a group wants
to catch a football game. right from the kitchen iPad I can turn off the music in the media room, lower the
motorized screen from the ceiling and call up the game, says Angie. The kids, meanwhile, can congregate on the
upper level of the housedubbed the kids zonewhere they can listen to their own music courtesy of a docking
station in the hallway, or play video games on the 50-inch Tv in the playroom.
The deck off the back of the house is a party-pleaser, too. music is directed to the 13 Sonance weatherproof
speakers that line the perimeter, and video is cued up on a custom-designed 55-inch weatherproof lED Tv thats
recessed into the brickwork of an outdoor freplace. HD Media Systems installed the three front speakers within
the hearth and placed the subwoofer under the deck to create a full 5.1-channel surround-sound effect.
As much as the Davises like to tinker with their music and videos, they can always get things started by just
tapping the PARTY button. This command sets the lights both inside and out, adjusts the heating and cooling
system, turns on a music playlist and displays photos stored on an Apple Tv device to all the homes televisions.
Should someone need to bump up the intensity of the softly lit sconces, lamps and recessed ceiling fxtures, they
can do so from Italian-style vantage keypads. Each room has at least one of them to provide quick one-button
control over the lights. The ROCK BAND button in the media room, for example, launches a light show where
the wall sconces ramp up and down in a predefned pattern. And theres no way lights are ever left on in this
household. Tiny sensors deactivate the lights 30 minutes after they detect that the room is unoccupied. When a
child has gotten out of bed at night, they trigger pathway lighting in the hallway to the bathroom. The sensors also
tell the lights to turn on automatically when Angie enters the laundry room with a basket of clothes.
The custom electronics professionals at HD Media Systems in Jackson, Mo., fabricated a 55-inch LED TV that could withstand the fckle weather of Missouri.
They lined the perimeter of the Davis familys outdoor space with 13 Sonance speakers, three of which are tucked behind the facade of the brick freplace. The
Tv, music, lights, pool and spa, and motorized pool cover can all be operated from any of the Davis eight iPads, eight iPhones and four iPod touches.
Kid Patrol
With four kids ranging from 10 months to 13
years, the Davis household is a whirlwind of
activity. In addition to making it easier for the
kids to operate the home theater systemour
5-year-old is a ninja on an iPad, says Angie
the Apple-based Savant system helps mom and
Dad monitor whatever their brood is doing.
Surveillance cameras mounted strategically in
bedrooms, hallways and the homes exterior
deliver pictures directly to the screen of any
Tv. Even if the kids are scattered, Angie only
needs to press the DINNER BELL button on her
phone or iPad to call the troops to the kitchen.
The audio, which sounds like an authentic
dinner bell, plays through all of the speakers,
inside and out.
When its time for bed or homework, Angie or
Shannon can turn off the Xboxor anything
elsefrom any control device. They can do
this remotely, as well, which has come in
handy on several occasions. I received a call
from the babysitter last summer who said she
couldnt get the kids out of the swimming
pool, says Angie. I told her, Ill get them
out, and from my iPhone told the pool cover to
start closing. They scrambled out of the water
quick. A tap of another button and Angie can
start and stop the waterfall, adjust the pool
temperature and operate the hot tub.
5
4
3
2
1
Family Fun Time
Some of the cool features in the Davis familys media room:
1 A 110-inch vutec screen is motorized to roll down from the ceiling on command from an iPad. When the screen is tucked away, a 60-inch Pioneer plasma
screen (not shown) is revealed. recessed into the wall, its used for casual viewing. ninety percent of the time, well pull the big screen down, says
homeowner Shannon Davis. And more and more, were watching digital content from our Apple Tv receiver instead of DvDs and Blu-rays.
2 Buttons on a vantage keypad are programmed to launch a variety of lighting scenes. A ROCK BAND scene, for example, pulses the sconces and recessed
lights in sync with the song that plays while the Rock Band video game boots up.
3 A JVC DLA-HD990 video projector receives content from sources in the cool blue equipment closet and fres them onto the Vutec screen.
4 A 7.1-channel array of built-in Sonance speakers provides the audio thump in this room.
5 An equipment closet, which contains all of the audio and video components, and well as the processors for the Savant home automation system, was
equipped with blue lED lighting for a cool, contemporary feel.
Comic Relief
given the familys comfort level with Apple products and the Savant systems expansive programming
capacity, the Davises couldnt help but have a little fun while designing the system with hD media
Systems. An SOS button in the powder room, for example, serves as a distress signal when the occupant
is out of toilet paper. When we see the chandelier blinking through the transom window, thats our cue
to grab more TP, says Angie. Then theres the distinguished British womans voice that announces that
the family has visitors. There are three doors into the home, and the British avatar will report which door
the visitor has approached, depending on the doorbell used. I cant help but smile when I hear that thick
British accent: Theres someone at the front door, says Shannon. lastly, theres the keypad inside the
elevator. Buttons labeled FIRST FLOOR, SECOND FLOOR and THIRD FLOOR take you to their respective levels,
but for fun Shannon included BAT CAVE and PENTHOUSE buttons. Who knows, I might really design a bat
cave sooner or later, he says. If and when that happens, its a sure bet that it will be controlled by the
Savant system.
using their own iPadsthis one donned with a colorful retro Etch A Sketch cover
the Davis kids can access videos and music from the main equipment rack in the
downstairs media room. Each childs bedroom is equipped with an inconspicuous
sensor that turns off the lights automatically after the room has been empty for more
than 30 minutes. When the kids get out of bed at night, the sensor triggers a dim
pathway of lighting so they can fnd their way to the bathroom.
Interior Motives
Jeff lewis, star of Bravos popular Flipping Out series, a show about real estate
reselling and home design, shares his views about home technology and its
infuence on his design of Electronic Houses award-winning home of the year.
Describe your role in Angie and Shannon Davis home.
After stalking my offce for a few weeks, I took on the Angie and Shannon Davis home as a design
consultant. It was actually one of the frst times that I was hired to do that type of work. Because of the
distance from my offces in L.A., I kept saying, No, theres no way this is possible. Angie was relentless
in her pursuit, emailing and calling to the point that I just gave in and few to St. Louis to meet with them.
Technology is becoming more prevalent in homes. How has this changed the way you approach projects?
I used to remodel a home and only worried about which television screen I would hang on a pivot arm
once the paint had dried. Today, any renovation or home build project requires an incredible amount of
additional planning. Theres wiring, there are speakers, there are cameras, there are computers, there are
more gadgets than I could ever want to deal with. I am forced to collaborate with experts in the feld and
involve them in decisions just as much as I would a plumber or an electrician.
Do you feel that technology is an important
element in interior design?
On just about any project, technology is a concern for
my clients. Security is always a priority, so the ability
to integrate cameras into a design without making it
look like a prison is a must. Clients are entertaining
more than ever, so sound systems, media closets,
lighting systems and built-in monitors are constantly
being planned. My concern in designing these
spaces is how to make it look like the technology
doesnt exist. Since my aesthetic leans to clean
and minimalist, being able to tuck away all of the
equipment into a closet and still access the features
throughout the house with touchscreens simplifes my
work. Now I dont have to worry about designing or
placing furniture just to hide equipment.
What was your reaction to the Davis Savant home
automation system?
Its impressive. A space that caters to my needs, that
changes lighting and room temperature based on
where Im at in the home sounds like something that
would contribute to my deep level of self-involvement.
Water Works
It may seem an easy matter to fll up a bathtub or start a shower, but for Angie
and Shannon Davis, being able to do so from an iPad is quicker and more
convenient. They can hit the START button while tucking the kids in bed, then
step into a bath thats already drawn at the perfect water temperature. And
because the moen system provides presets for each user, hD media Systems
included those commands on the iPad and other home control interfaces.
Shannons SHOWER button sets the water temperature, showerheads and
velocity to his liking; Angies button does the same for her.
Home Control FAQs
Q. What are the most popular systems that consumers install in their homes?
A. Statistically, alarm systems top the list, but thats no fun. home theaters and whole-house music
systems generally come in second, followed by lighting controls, energy management and home
automation. home automation is basically the integration of two or more of these subsystems, as
theyre known.
Q. Are these systems afordable for the average homeowner?
A. Absolutely. For less than $500, you can control some lights, a thermostat and your Tv system. At that
price, the system might pay for itself in a few short years if you use the technology to manage energy
costscheaper than solar power and more fun to boot.
A decent system offering whole-house music, multiroom video, surveillance cameras, security system,
lighting controls, smart thermostats and home automation can be had for less than $5,000. That would
include remote access via the web or smartphone.
many of the popular electronic systems today can and do provide automation functions. For example,
most security systems can also interact with the lights. Advanced remote controls also can control the
lights, as well as thermostats and your music collection in addition to your A/v components.
Q. Are they realistic for the average homeowner? Which systems seem the most practical?
A. So many people swear they dont need this stuff and they would never use it. And then theyre 10 miles
away from home wondering if they set back the thermostat or locked the doors.
Its diffcult to name the most practical products. Its easier to look at the most practical applicationsall
of which can be accomplished fairly inexpensively with a home control system:
Press the VACATION button on the keypad, and the system automatically sets back the
thermostat, arms the security system and turns the lights on and off at random to simulate a lived-
in look.
When a delivery man rings the doorbell, your cell phone lights up with his picture and opens
up a two-way conversation. Trust the guy? unlock the door remotely and lock it up after he
leaves.
Touch the BASEBALL button on your iPad, and the Tv automatically displays the current games,
maybe the scores, and maybe even your fantasy team stats.
Q. What are some of the new systems that we can look forward to?
A. The things we expect to see in the next couple of years are not so much new technologies as they are
approachable technologies. video conferencing, for example, has been around for years, but we believe
2011 will be the year it starts to take off in the home. It will become suffciently cheap, simple and sociable.
Similarly, 2011 will bring us much closer to cutting the cable/satellite cord. millions have already done it,
but they probably werent Tv junkies to begin with. new partnerships with the studios and new devices
that stream content over the Internet will make it more palatable for Modern Family addicts to say
goodbye to cable (and hello to higher broadband bills).
other technologies that will gain steam in 2011 include thermostats that respond to real-time utility rates,
voice-activated remote controls, automated door locks, and rFID tags (like they use in grocery stores)
that help you manage household groceries, energy consumption, daily chores and even your children.
Q. How close are we to a Jestons-like home, i.e., a fully automated home?
A. We were there 10 years ago. Pretty much anything you want to do with an automation system you can
do fairly effortlessly.
Some systems today may seem futuristic to the lay person, but theyre fairly humdrum to people in
the businesslike having a Tv rise from beneath the bed at the press of a button, or coordinating the
motorized shades with the suns location and the indoor temperature.
The key is to make these solutions more accessible to regular people.
We still have a long way to go in the Jetsonian robotics department, though. The popular roomba
vacuum system not withstanding, we wont be seeing motorized maids in the near future.
Q. How much can you trust your homes automation to take care of details like locking your doors,
turning of the lights, etc.? Are most pretty foolproof?
A. The individual systems in the home, such as lights, thermostats and security, are known as
subsystems. The magic of a home automation system is that it affords much richer control and
integration of these subsystems. Almost always, if the automation system fails, the subsystems keep on
ticking. It just might be a little inconvenient for you. For example, you might not be able to turn off 20
lights at the press of a button, but you can still turn them off the old-fashioned way.
Home Control Trends
The latest hi-tech buzz when it comes to managing and controlling
your home.
H
omE ConTrol, or homE AuTomATIon AS ITS AlSo CAllED, IS ConSTAnTly
changing. And like most technologies, it improves with age. It gets smarter, less expensive
and easier to use each year. Wed be remiss not to mention some of the improvements and
enhancements destined to hit the marketplaceand your homein the very near future. In
no particular order, here are eight of the hottest trends in the automation industry.
Snazzy Controls
operating your homes lights, thermostats and A/v gear from a touch-sensitive control panel can be
fairly boring, unless your panels got some snazzy graphics to keep you engaged and entertained. yes,
programming your thermostats to set back automatically can actually be fun.
home automation manufacturers are making it simpler for home systems installers to add fancy features
to touchpanels by including multimedia platforms like Flash, Java and guifx into their software. often
with a point and click, home systems installers can dress up the panels with animation, unique buttons
and colorful backgrounds. They can give the touchpanel the same look and feel of an iPhone, where
gestures like fnger swipes set an automation scene into motion or pinching the screen zooms in a
surveillance camera.
most manufacturers believe that the wow shouldnt stop at the touchpanel. Within their programming
software, theyve given home systems installers the tools to easily import that same graphic layout into
other interfaces. The interface resizes itself automatically to ft the screen, be it that of a TV, keypad,
remote control or iPad.
Not Your Fathers Remote
When you think of a remote control, the frst products that come to mind are the TV, stereo system and
other A/v components. While clickers are good at revving up an entertainment system, manufacturers are
designing them as core components of complete home control systems.
To facilitate the transition from clicker to complete home control, most manufacturers have developed
wireless control hubs ($150 to $1,000) that deliver signals from the remote control to the other systems.
These hubs, in turn, deliver feedback to the screen of the remote or touchpanel. The remote control
companies have also developed technology partnerships with third-party manufacturers. Through these
partnerships, the manufacturers collectively develop two-way modules and drivers that allow their
respective devices to seamlessly communicate, ultimately forming a network that can be controlled via
any brand of handheld remote or touchpanel.
Broader Distribution
As manufacturers continue to streamline and simplify their systems, expect to see design and installation
services offered by a wider variety of channels. In addition to the classic custom electronics professional,
youll be able to buy automation from security dealers, electric utilities and cable companies.
Doing It Yourself
If apps can add functionality to a mobile phone, why not also to a home automation system? home
control manufacturers are making available a variety of apps that can be downloaded directly into their
systems. Its a concept thats helped spur a trend whereby consumers are given the tools to easily modify
the functionality of their own systems.
Apps are just one way of doing this. home automation companies are starting to create user-friendly
programming platforms through which homeowners can set up simple automation routines. For example,
through a special scheduling program, a homeowner could adjust the on and off times for the lights and
save those changes. Absolutely no programming experience is required. In many cases the end-user will
be able to make changes right at the home control touchpanel.
The shift to self-programming isnt intended to sabotage the custom installation business. Systems will
still need to be installed and initially programmed by a professional. however, consumers will no longer
need to schedule an appointment with their pro every time they want to tweak a setting. ultimately, this
will save time and money for both consumers and professional integrators.
Energy Management Makes Its Move
home automation has rarely been a hot button for consumers. usually theyre looking for something else,
like a home theater, and thats okay. home theater is, and continues to be, a great way for consumers to
segue into full-blown automation, and many manufacturers offer home theater control systems that can be
expanded to include the control of lights, thermostats and other devices.
Theres a new killer app, though, and thats energy management. As utilities continue to roll out
smart grids and look for ways to curb production, and as homeowners grow increasingly more energy-
conscious, home automation seems the likely solution. one of the places manufacturers are starting is
at the thermostat. (Studies show that due to the complexity, most homeowners never take the time to
program their thermostats, which negates their purpose.)
An automation system can greatly simplify the task of programming thermostats, as well as other
energy-hungry devices. many manufacturers, including Elan, have developed straightforward scheduling
programs, accessible on touchpanels, which allow consumers to set up daily adjustments for their
thermostats. more sophisticated energy monitoring features are being wrapped into systems as well, so
that homeowners can see, right on the screen of a user interface, real-time energy usage in kilowatts and
dollars spent.
Streaming Media
The ability to tap into Internet-based content from providers like Pandora, Netfix and Sirius Radio has
been hot for some time, but instead of downloading the data into a dedicated media server or iPhone the
way youre used to doing it, you can also pull it directly into your home automation system or store it in
a cloud-based digital locker. From a home control touchpanel you can then view whats in your locker
and play it wherever you choose.
Android Adds Mobility
mobile devices are gaining ground as the primary interface of a home automation system.
The days of proprietary touchpanels are over, professes Craig Spinner, director of marketing for Savant.
The company recently dropped touchpanels entirely from its product lineup, suggesting instead that
homeowners use iPads or iPhones to interact with their home automation systems. Savant, in addition
to nearly every manufacturer of home control systems, already offers iPhone and iPad apps. next up:
google Android apps. These apps, currently being beta-tested by a number of manufacturers, will let
consumers use their Samsung galaxy Tabs, Dell Streaks and other Android-enabled mobiles to control
their homes electronic systems.
Tight Networking
Seamless integration of products is the key to a reliable home automation system. The security system
needs to be able to talk to the lighting system, the lighting needs to be able to communicate with the
A/v equipment, and so on. A home automation system glues these various subsystems together so they
can operate as one cohesive unit. you press a button on a home control keypad, and all the subsystems
respond.
historically, tight integration required many hours of engineering and programming by a home systems
installer, but thats slowly been changing. While home systems installers still do a fair amount of
programming, home automation manufacturers are doing some of the legwork for them by offering not
just the main control processor that fuses the systems together, but the subsystems themselves.
Links & Resources
Home Control News and Info
http://www.electronichouse.com/homecontrol

Lighting Control
http://www.electronichouse.com/lightingcontrol

Where to go to Ask a Pro
http://www.electronichouse.com/askapro

Latest Home Control Products
http://www.electronichouse.com/productnews#news_lighting

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