Home technology and your lifestyle

The goal of any “home automation” project or the resulting “connected home” or “intelligent home” is to make life simpler for its occupants by automating home functions and integrating various communication systems. Sound complicated? Not really. In fact, you probably already rely on home automation!
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Automation that is part of your day-to-day
For every need, an application
It Must Be Expensive!

Automation that is part of your day-to-day

Without even realizing it, you are probably already using some form of home automation, device control or communication integration such as: lights that turn on when darkness falls, alarm systems triggered by motion, programmable thermostats, universal controllers for the television and entertainment system, wall connections for both telephone and cable services, etc. Now imagine all these functions are connected and that you have the ability to control them using a remote control (or a computer, your television screen or even your cellular phone). Voila - your home is now automated.

For every need, an application

Installations vary according to individual needs and can run from the eccentric to the mundane. Some people would simply like for their lights to turn off and for the heating system to switch to “economy” mode when they activate their alarm system. Others, through the installation of multifunction wall sockets, will choose to develop the required infrastructure that will allow them to integrate a computer, a telephone, the television (cable) and even speakers. Having the ability to start the air conditioner via telephone on one of those dog days of summer is a rather tempting possibility. Or perhaps you recently hired a new babysitter and are worried about your children? From your office computer, you can monitor developments in your home over the Internet, thanks to a real-time Web camera. In essence, applications are limited only by budget and by the time you have available to contribute to the project!

It Must Be Expensive!

Cost depends on several factors: the level of automation, obviously, but also the type and number of devices to be automated as well as the home itself. Creating “home intelligence” is more cost-effective in a smaller home under construction than in a larger existing home where wires would have to be threaded though the walls or a wireless system would have to be installed. What’s more, only automation-ready devices can be used, which drives up cost considerably.

Realistically, an individual looking to integrate a small computer network with telephone lines and cable - on his own, can do the job for around $500 to $600. Conversely, an advanced home automation system with professional installation could cost anywhere between 1.5% and 5% of the value of the home (or between $2,500 and $7,500, for a home valued at $150,000). And keep in mind that it is always possible to spend even more.
It may be a bit premature to have your fridge hooked up to the Internet or to set your blinds using a remote control but industry experts agree that in the near future, new houses will be built with the wiring necessary to integrate home automation in much the same way that today’s houses are wired for electricity and cable. Futurologists once predicted the advent of home automation for the 21st century, well – here we are!
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