As you have seen, there are actually quite a few ways to automate your home. But, do you realize that there are different methods to control them?
This is where home automation gets a bit technical, but even still its easy to understand and it couldn’t be easier to install into your home. But, when you get out there and start looking at products to help automate you home’s systems, you’ll want to take into consider several of these methods. Some may work better for you than others.
These methods also help to define the cost of the product too. Remember, you can automate much of your home inexpensively. But, there is a different level of automation available in the various types of tools available. Learning more about each of these will help you to make the right decision for the product that’s out there for you.
Take a few minutes to compare the different methods of controlling your home automation. Select the one that seems to fit your lifestyle, your needs and your budget the best.
Most home automation is controlled using some type of remote. Just like turning on your television or DVD player, using a remote makes life easier.
In home automation, you’ll have one remote (generally) that allows you to control the types of automation that are available in that home. If you’ve installed kits for automation within your home, you’ll have a remote to activate and use them as you see fit.
In home automation, your remote control will provide you with the power to control your lights, your security system, your irrigation system, and your appliances. Many of these remotes work throughout the home, even from the other end of the room.
There are different methods that you will be able to consider using for controlling these remote devices. Earlier in this e-book we mentioned X10, but there are other methods that can be just as simple and just as useful or even better to use.
Take a look at the good and bad points of each of these control methods. Determining which one is right for you may come just from these tips. It is also important to note that not all products come with choices in all of these control methods. That too may limit you a bit.
Infrared technology is commonly used with home automation. The remote control options are one of the most affordable choices, and therefore are often used for the smallest budgets. You’ll find that they start at just $10 and move up, depending on what they are designed for.
Infrared does have the disadvantage of requiring a “line of sight” style of remote control. You’ll have to point the remote at the application, appliance or device for it to make any changes happen.
You’ll find that Infrared is used in many television remote controls as well as other consumer style electronics and appliances. Most of the remote controls you pick up today will have this type of technology in them.
Radio frequency is just what it sounds like. It uses radio frequencies that travel through the air to get to the device and do what you ask it to do. Radio frequency, which is sometimes just called RF, is a common type of home automation tool because it can get through walls. That means you can be in the garage and can get the lights in the house on.
There are different ranges that you’ll need to take into consideration. Depending on the application that you plan to use it for will make the most difference in this regard.
You will find that radio frequency is a bit more expensive than that of Infrared and some other technologies. You’ll find that home automation remote control will start around $40 and go on up depending on your application needs and desires.
Besides being a bit more costly than that of infrared, radio frequency isn’t as good with long distance remote controlling that you may need. These two disadvantages may push you towards other types of control for home automation. But, it is still worth looking into.
The most popular types of applications for radio frequency include garage doors, which can open from a bit down the drive or street and computer networking, such as within the home.
Powerline is a good choice for several reasons. First off, it is just as affordable as Infrared technology, which means that you’ll find it offered in many types of applications that you are considering using home automation for. It also works as a whole house types of control measure.
The largest disadvantage of Powerline is that it often needs noise filters used with it. You may also need phase couplers to work with it as well. That may be a bit more of a hassle than other methods, but the costs are well worth it. The cost of Powerline starts at just $10 and moves up from there.
Powerline is more readily available for indoor home automation but in the most common types of automation, too. You’ll find it used in appliances, in lighting applications as well as many types of home security. Powerline may take a bit more work, but its affordability makes it something many consider it for.
There are benefits to using hardwired home automation. Although many people don’t want to even think about this option because it is one of the most costly of options, the benefits are probably well worth it.
In hardwired applications, you’ll have to do the actually wiring of devices, something that a professional may have to help you with. Since the costs start at $1000 and go well up, it’s not the right thing for everyone.
The benefits of hardwiring, though, include the ability to rely on it. It is quite the dependable option especially when you compare it to other types of automation that can be somewhat dependant on frequency or location.
Hardwired automation is also quite fast. You generally have little to no wait time in using the elements. Like turning on the television, it’s that simple.
Hardwired applications are the most difficult for those that are trying to fit them into their preexisting home. But, if you are building a new home or doing some major remodeling, consider the benefits of adding hardwiring into it. You’ll find it to be an ideal choice for its speed and dependability.
Hardwired control is generally used in high end applications as well as in various video elements and in some cases networking throughout the home.
INSTEON offers you even better benefits. If you select to use this type of remote control automation tool, you’ll have several key benefits. In fact, there’s not a lot to say negative about it. You’ll find it a bit more expensive than Infrared technology, but at starting prices of $30 or so, it’s still much more affordable than hardwire.
The benefits are many. It’s affordable. It also works through walls so it can be used in virtually any location around the house. It doesn’t need any type of noise filter or phase couplers either. This makes it easy to install and simple to use.
In addition, you do get great speed from the use of INSTEON. It’s reliable, just as reliable as hardwire, in fact.
If you purchase legacy X10 products, you’ll find that INSTEON works well with those products, too.
In products, you will find INSTEON used heavily in lighting applications, in computer related control needs as well as in appliances of all types throughout your home. It can be adapted to fit many needs.
INSTEON was created by Smarthome to work as a better solution to several of the other products on the market. Basically, it provides you with the benefits of Powerline with the benefits of remote frequency. You get maximum coverage throughout the home but you still get a low price. INSTEON is a tool to work with your X10 products, which we’ll talk a bit more about in the next chapter.
The biggest benefit of these products is that they allow you to work with X10 technology but they don’t require that you use any type of noise filter or phase couplers as you would without them. These are only used in certain situations in which there is “noise” created over the line such as when you are using a vacuum or some high powered unit like a large television.
In these examples, you’ll use a remote to tell the device what needs to be done. But, there are types of home automation that can actually be better when it is done automatically for you.
For example, you want to set up your Christmas lights to come on at dusk and to turn off at ten. You would want to use automatic technology to make that happen, so you don’t have to actually get out there and point a remote to them.
Lighting is heavily done with automatic control both indoor and outdoor. Other appliances can also have this feature including thermostats, security systems and heating units.
Included in automatic control is the ability to press one button on your remote and get several functions accomplished by it.
As we discussed with home theater automation, you’ll want to point the remote at the home theater and hit a button which pulls each of the necessary tasks on without you having to tell it to do each one.
Automatic control works in many types of appliances and applications. If you are considering this type of control, you may spend a bit more, but you get the convenience of never really forgetting to do what you want to do. That’s what home automation is all about, after all.
Each of these methods of controlling your home automation is important. You will want to invest in finding the right product for the job too. For example, if you want to be able to use voice recognition, you’ll need something completely different than these applications.
Or, if you are considering using hardwiring in your new home, you may not realize that it’s still beneficial to have another method as well.
By comparing what’s out there and how well it fits your needs, you’ll be able to select the right home automation for your needs.
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