Tag: home automation

We’ve spent quite some time talking about windows these past few weeks, we’re going to head in a completely different direction now and dive into modern houses: the smart home.  Home automation is a system that allows homeowners to directly connect and control their home through their tablet, smartphone, and control panel installed in their home.  The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University has predicted that the number two trend for residential remodeling in the next 5-10 years will be home automation.  This will include but is not limited to heating and air conditioning, lighting, and security.

 

 

Affordability is a concern of many homeowners, but if you look at the trends from five years ago, home automation was only for million-dollar homes, now less expensive homes are also tapping into home automation because it is becoming more practical and affordable.

Why Should I Choose Home Automation?

A smart home can take over many of the functions of your other smart and dumb devices: it can wake you up in the morning, turn on the TV with your morning viewing choices, turn electronics off and security systems on when you leave the house.  When you return home, the security will deactivate itself and lights and AC or heating will turn to their normal temperatures.  It’s convenient for everyone, saving on your personal energy, utility bills, and protecting your home.  When you go out of town, you can monitor your home from your computer, smartphone, or tablet.  This can be had for under $10,000 and work with over 6,000 different electronic devices.

Can I DIY Home Automation?

DIY smart home options exist with companies such as Nest who make smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, thermostat climate controls that are based on your personal schedule and can save 15-25% on your utility bills.  These products are easy to install and cost under $260.

What is the Cost of Home Automation?

A smart home system can cost anywhere from $200 to $200,000, it all depends on your desires and needs.  Some people simply want smart lights and thermostat climate control, others want all of the shades in their home to be automated as well as lighting scenes and surveillance cameras.  The installation of a smart home system doesn’t have to be for your entire house, you can install it one room at a time and add on rooms as your budget allows.  It is also not an intensive installation which means that a lot of digging into your walls and foundation is not required, no matter the age of your home.