Smart home automation systems are great for controlling energy use or basic security or even turning off lights and heating or air conditioning when you’re away. However, part of the appeal of home automation should be the integration of your normal home systems into easy-to-use control screens or apps for your smartphone and tablet. Being able to control your home entertainment systems, your outdoor speakers, the lights in the living room or dining room, the intercom, or anything else from a touch screen controller or app just has the feel of the century. XXI. . We may not have flying cars, but we can stream movies to multiple devices!
This gets a bit more complicated as you ultimately want a control system that monitors everything from your home security to your entertainment system to home appliances. There are several companies that make smart home controllers and integrated home automation systems that should be able to be installed with a bit more advanced knowledge. Crestron makes some great controllers that can network with your home entertainment and lighting control systems with minimal effort. The only drawback is that you are pretty much stuck with Crestron products for all of your home automation to integrate all of your systems as easily as you want. However, the upside is that they have apps for your smartphones and tablets, as well as wall units and remote controls for the home.
Insteon makes a home entertainment unit/lighting package that will take care of your private home theater quite nicely. Replaces multiple light switches and lamp sockets, plus provides a built-in IR (infrared) controller that can be programmed as a universal remote for all your home theater systems. It’s a cheaper and easier way to start integrating home entertainment without the higher investment costs of flashy displays and complete systems that Crestron offers.
Lutron probably offers the most complete home automation systems. They have very specific products that will allow you to integrate lighting, home theater, home energy efficiency, window shades, occupancy sensors, and home security integration. Its systems allow you to integrate with third-party devices, as well as purchase Lutron-developed components and items for your home, your car, and every room in the house. Occupancy sensors, outdoor lighting, home entertainment, and temperature control/energy monitoring give you everything you need to create the most advanced home you can dream of. All of your systems work together, allowing you to use a smartphone or tablet app or connect to your repeaters via IP (Internet Standard Protocols).
As you can see, home automation and the future of smart home technology is not just a fad or fad. These systems are readily available and offer easy integration into your home if you are willing to spend the time and money to develop them. Whole-house package solutions are also possible as long as you don’t mind the cost or preparation involved.
If you are in the process of building your own house this is of course much easier to deal with, just make sure your general or electrical contractor pulls the wires where you want them to go in the house and make sure your light switches light and wall are from a system that you want to integrate in the future.
