Home Automation

How Not to Be Overwhelmed by Technology Smart homes are homes that can be controlled by the touch of a button. A whole house can small homes to a tiny home controller via a home automation system. The controller is like a remote control that can be used to activate systems around the home. If a smart home is well designed it will appear that the house actually runs all by itself. It seems to run totally unassisted. This means that the sprinklers will go on and off automatically, the coffee will automatically be brewed in the morning right before you awaken, lights will go on and off in the apropos room at the correct time, the blinds will open automatically, security systems will be activated, entertainment systems will show movies or play music, etc. Some units even will allow people to order groceries and have them delivered. While this may seem like a frivolous luxury to some, it is a blessing for people who are confined to their homes for one reason or another. However, there are a number of drawbacks that can be associated with a home automation system. If something were to happen to the central automation unit, then everything can be disrupted. This includes things that are important as far as running the home goes, in addition to the vital things that keep its occupants safe and sound. So, if not properly installed, instead of being a warm and comfortable place to relax in, an automated home can become a place that's full of technical glitches that need to be administered to ad infinitum. Perhaps that is why is why a lot of people opt to have their home automation system installed by a reputable company that stands behind its work. The market itself is growing rapidly, at the rate of approximately 20% per year. Part of it is due to the increasing demand for home networking packages and high profile entertainment systems. That's why most of the companies that once specialized in security systems, in-home intercoms and lighting now sell video and audio equipment systems as well. The rapid growth should not come as a surprise because there has been a shift in our economy to home-based workers. And now that so many people are spending much more time at home there is a heightened demand for convenience in the marketplace. As people begin to integrate home automation into their lifestyle many of them become addicted to it. It seems that once you get going with it the concept sort of feeds upon itself. For example, a lot of people start with a system that can control any of the lights throughout the house. That seems great at first. But then, once the newness has worn off and the functionality is taken for granted, a lot of people begin to wonder, "Why do I have to keep on grabbing for the remote? Shouldn't the system know when I turn the lights off and on?" And that begins the next phase, where people start to upgrade their systems and make them more automatic. In order for their system to "know" when they want something done they will have to have a lot of sensors installed in their homes. This might include Bluetooth proximity applications, RFID tags, and more. Once they begin on that road it isn't long before these home automation addicts are looking for systems that can adapt the lighting to their moods, automatically close their curtains, play their favorite tunes, etc. In order to help stop this problem before it begins it would be a pretty good idea to get a vision of how you want your house to act and feel and let that guide you while planning your ultimate system. This way you won't be drawn into adding components haphazardly. Start by writing down your goals. For example, you may want to be able to control the temperature from anywhere in your house. Or you may want to have all of the lights flash whenever someone rings your doorbell.