Home Automation/Smart Home Technology 101

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Dive into the world of home automation and smart home technology, where convenience meets cutting-edge innovation. This burgeoning field offers homeowners the opportunity to seamlessly integrate and control various elements of their living space from a single device. In this article, Rob May from Sounds Good Audio & Video Solutions will demystify how these systems can enhance your home, ensuring you stay ahead in the rapidly evolving landscape of connected living.

Home automation, smart home technology and the connected home are all terms that have been thrown around a lot in the last year and if you are still wondering what it all means check out this video below.  Rob May of Sounds Good Audio & Video Solutions explains what it means and how it can work in your home. 

1. The Basics

  • Home Automation involves taking all the elements in your house and controlling them centrally from an iDevice, Android or in wall touch panel.

2.  The Heart of Home Automation: The System Controller

  • Elements in your home i.e. music, heating, lighting get connected to the system controller
  • Prices range from: $1500-$3500
  • A good contractor will help you pick the right one for your home.
  • Adding elements to the system controller as modules costs between $500 – $10,000, depending on size of the house and system.
  • A good contractor will hide all cables and hardware away for you inside cabinetry, a basement or furnace room.
  • The controller should be installed inside a metal equipment rack where it can be easily moved and ventilated.

3. The Living Room

  • Typically home automation starts here
  • People can control their television, cable, DVD player, Apple TV, etc. from a universal remote, iDevice, etc.

4. Lighting

  • One of the most popular elements of home automation
  • Turn lights throughout your home on and off remotely
  • Potential for energy savings i.e. tricking the system to work at a maximum of 60 per cent when you turn the lights on and off
  • Set timers so lights come on at specific hours
  • Retrofit is simple: You can swap your old light switches for home automation ones

5. Whole Home Music

  • Add keypads and speakers into the rooms where you want to hear music and at the click of a button you can have your favourite tunes playing throughout the house or in one room.

6. Costs

  • Wiring: $500-$3000
  • Labour for final install is typically $1000-$5000
  • Budget at least $5000 to get started in smart homes but think closer to $15,000 to really make an impact.