Today's Homes Go High-Tech
Cosseted by his down pillows and mega-thread-count sheets, Mr. Homeowner finishes his latest sci-fi epic and calls it a night. But before he can drift off to Dreamsville, must he hit the floorboards, turning off lights, setting security alarms, turning down thermostats and closing draperies? Or does he push a button to do it all?
That button is no delusion left over from his late-night dose of galactic adventures. Technology that seems like sci-fi fantasy is as close and as real as the nightstand key pad. It's not only near at hand but within the grasp of a larger number of users. According to Matt Peters, president of Naples-based Wireless Home, more products are enabling more folks to enjoy the benefits of automated homes.
"As the public gains a better understanding of the concept and demand grows, more products are arriving on the scene," he reports. Increased competition has resulted in a better selection for the consumer and greater opportunities to tailor the system to individual needs and price requirements.
Peters says the ability to add more products without accessing in-wall cables has been a boon to the industry.
"Home automation used to be an all-or-nothing deal when the house was being built," he points out. "Now we can add wireless surveillance cameras and other automated features after the house is built or in gradual stages, if the customer prefers."
The most in-demand high-tech upgrades are security items, such as alarms, surveillance capability via cameras, automated lighting and audiovisual. Once the security system's performance is up to par, the next thing might be an irrigation upgrade or climate control.
Another plus for today's technology user is the ability to access it via computer. Peters cites as an example a Fort Myers homeowner who can set his home in "away mode" when he leaves for Chicago, with lights and sounds that go off and on and give the illusion that the house is lived in. From his lakefront condo computer he can see exactly what's going on in his Florida home, and if the grandkids ask to vacation there, he can reset the functions to cool the place down and discontinue random lighting.
The Fort Myers guy is not alone. The Consumer Electronics Association conducted a nationwide Internet survey in 2006 that led to this prediction: While new-home construction may decline by 8 percent in 2007, the consumer electronics industry will grow by 6 percent.
The study indicated that only 60 percent of home automation systems and 43 percent of home theater systems were installed during construction, and that significant numbers of respondents regretted not installing energy management, multiroom audio and home theater systems as they were building. So prospective homebuyers would be wise to do some homework before construction starts.
One of the things Peters advises is evaluating an automated system's ability to work with other products. "Some products on the market are made to work only with same-brand products," he reports. "Proprietary systems like that might result in higher costs, since the selection process is eliminated, and could lead to more difficulty and expense when it comes to service."
The internet is teeming with home automation products that can bring futuristic pleasure to any home's inner space. There are gadgets that preset the shower's water temperature and gizmos that train Fido not to bark. Shades and draperies open and close with the click of the remote. Music and television can be wired into pools. Following are a sampling of items to make life easier through electronics.
. Keyless locks for the home. Set up a variety of codes for push-button entry. Set some just so a workman or cleaning person can get in for a prescribed time. Many styles and prices are at www.nokey.com. Fingerprint key pad door locks open by key, pin number or fingerprint and store multiple fingerprints for $299 and up (at www.smarthome.com).
. Insteon outdoor safety solution. Hearing noises outside? Turn on porch and yard lights from the bedroom nightstand control to scare off criminals and critters. $129.99 at www.smarthome.com.
. Dual laser guided parking system. Avoid car dents parking in tight garage spaces. The unit installs on the garage ceiling and points two laser beams to the correct spot the cars should be parked in. Built-in motion sensor senses approaching vehicle and turns on beams. $29.99 at
www.smarthome.com.
. Communicating thermostats send telephone or computer messages. Some interface with utilities and adjust temperature during peak use hours and notify when filters need replacing. Honeywell and Carrier are among the manufacturers. Home guard temperature alarm calls and reports a drop in temperature and length of any power outage longer than five minutes to avoid freezing pipes in Northern homes. Call to hear temperature at any time. $199.99 at
www.temperatureguard.com.
. Leviton Decora occupancy sensor manual on wall switches. Turn on a light in a room and the product will turn it off if no motion is sensed after 30 minutes. If motion is detected 30 seconds after it turns off, it turns the light back on. $80.96 at www.onestopbuy.com.