My partner, Phil, and I have been planning the electrics this week for our house. What we want to have and where, is a big decision as once the ceilings are up and the plaster is on the wall it's not something we will be changing. With the house in the state it's in we want to make sure we put in as many things as possible that will make it state of the art in terms of technology, well as much as our budget will allow! Phil is an engineer so likes to ensure he uses the most advanced technology and that everything is efficient and effective so can we get a smart home.
What's a smart home?
Smart home technology means controlling the homes environment in a way to suit and enhance the way you want to live. The aim is to make life more enjoyable, comfortable, easy and secure. Imagine living in a smart home, where all the automated functions such as home cinema, multi-room audio, lighting and security can be controlled by you at the touch of a button - that must be one massive remote control!
What about if you could pick up a compact control panel to set the room's lighting to your specifications, monitor the baby sleeping in another room, select interruption-free background music, and shut off the heat in an empty guest room, all without so much as turning your head. Sound relaxing?
Also the great news is that it can be Green too! Smart home technology can be combined with green technology such as geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic cells, solar panels and wind turbines. Indeed, one of the core ideas behind smart homes - that equipment turns on and off precisely when you want it - should help to cut down on energy wastage.
There is a show happening this week at the NEC Birmingham 22 - 25th March 2007, which is perfect timing as its about Smart Homes.
Over 60 companies will be exhibiting covering the following smart home items:
- multi-room entertainment
- home cinema
- audio & visual components
- lighting systems
- climate control systems
- security systems
- telecoms/ Intercoms systems
- touch control panels
- remote access/monitoring
- wireless, cabling systems
- distributed internet access
- planning, consultation, installation, new technology and intelligent appliances
Will a smart home enhance our lifestyles and can we afford it?
The first big question is to go wired or wireless...
Owners with older homes can face considerable cost in trying to retrofit systems in a home that wasn't designed for these technologies. In homes where rewiring is not feasible, wireless may be the alternative, but this is not a flawless option.
Installation experts agree that a wireless approach can be unreliable and inconsistent because many factors exert an impact upon reception. Some of the factors include the steel framing used in new construction, which can block frequencies; your neighbour's baby monitor, which can disrupt signals; and even your own appliances or cordless phone, which can play havoc with a wireless system. Wireless systems are improving all the time, and consumers can find reliable systems to connect home computers and printers.
Therefore building a wired system is frequently the recommended route.
Installing a Smart Home
The heart of a smart home is the cabling, hidden in the fabric of your house it's fundamental to the design. These cables are connected to easy-to-use control pads, attached to walls much like light switches. The most important thing is to future proof your home and set up all the necessary cabling, even if you don't have the fancy gadgets now you can add them at a later date when you can afford them or the price drops.
Systems experts unanimously agree the best time to bring in the system integration professionals is during the design phase, while plans are still on paper. It's a hard job to do but you need to imagine the lifestyle you want to have not the lifestyle you have now. For us this is particularly difficult as living in a dusty renovation is so far away from where we want to be.
Cedia has an online members directory. An installer should provide a complete service: design the system, work with architects, interior designers and other contractors to project manage the installation and, crucially, show you how to use it.
Costs of a Smart Home
The costs of a smart home can go up and up - the depth of your pockets are the only limit. It is a bespoke service based on your home's size and the technology you want to install. It can range from £2,000 to £100,000, so don't get too carried away if you have a small budget!
Following companies can help with your Smart Home
Intelligent home solutions and network solutions designers/installers:
Avnex
CRIS
Adapt home cotrol
Digital plumbers
IP Networks
NGN Digital
Schneider Electric Ltd
Sensible Heat Ltd
SmartHome Controls Ltd
Thinking Bricks
Viewfax Multimedia Ltd
Home technology products:
Install Automation Ltd
Invision uk(Trade only)
The EIB Shop
Minitran Ltd
Zeos Infotech Limited
Switches and control panels:
Ingenium
JUNG
Automatic buildings
Ceiling recessed projector:
PureTheatre
Plasma TVs:
Picture House Cabinets Ltd
Hitachi digital media
Electric blinds and curtains:
intelli-blinds
So, if being able to use your mobile phone whilst driving home from work to run a bath that will be ready the second you walk through the door is your idea of heaven then you might want to invest in a smart home, I think for us just to be able to run a bath would be a luxury, let alone one on a timer!