From Issue #2 , Page #36

You don’t have to break the bank to have a high-tech home. Here’s how to get the most control for your money.

Home control is not part of the lifestyles of the rich and famous. OK, it is—but that doesn't mean that you can't have a piece of the pie as well. And this is one pie that is easy to find at afterschool bake-sale prices.

To most people, home control probably has an expensive connotation. And aren't we tired of all of the analogies? Star Trek, The Jetsons—heck, even Bewitched had some pretty cool control moves. But those are all overplayed parallels of the past. Control is here now, and it's a lot cheaper than you might think.

The Technology
Home control is actually one of the areas of the home where you can get a lot for your hard-earned money. Part of that is due to the fact that the term "home control" is like a blanket—it covers a lot of areas. "Each person's version of home control is different," says Scott Klodowski, sales director of distribution for Smarthome. That means lighting is part of home control, audio/video control is part of home control, thermostat control is part of home control, and so on.

There are people out there who firmly believe that whatever type of home control your have, it needs to be hardwired. This type of system typically involves a dedicated central processing unit (CPU), high-speed wiring (usually Cat 5, 5e or 6 and RG-6), hardwired devices such as lighting fixtures, audio and video an alarm system and cameras, and a way to access everything—the control panel. Hardwiring is also one of the most expensive ways to go, which is why it's usually installed when a house is undergoing a major renovation or during a new-construction phase. Still, some consider it more reliable, with more options available. "I disagree with that," Klodowski says. "Most of what the AMXs and Crestrons do, we can do using existing wiring. It's just a matter of piecing the parts together." Klodowski also says that any system not installed properly will be unreliable. But even if you're a beginner, there is a system out there for you, and yes, you can absolutely afford it.

Although you may find a few hardwired products for a bargain, the cost to install them can be quite an investment. That is why so many companies have introduced products based on alternative technologies. A lot of these technologies are wireless, or easy for the do-it-yourself crowd to install on their own (even the beginners!). While many naysayers hate the idea of anything that isn't bound to their home base, each of these technologies have been advancing, while the products are really easy to find at your local electronics and home improvement stores, as well as through a variety of online retailers.

One very popular wireless technology is X10. A lot of people associate X10 with those Internet pop-ups that seemed to be everywhere not too long ago. But X10 is actually a very common method of powerline control (PLC). This technology uses the existing wires in your home to send and receive control commands. In many cases, these products can be purchased for well under $500. "You'd really have to work at it to actually spend as much as $500," says Dave Rye, VP and technical manager at X10 (USA) Inc. Even better, X10 is very easy to install; typically, you just need to plug in a few items to get started. Most X10 devices allow for on/off, stepped voltage (light dimming), and even temperature functions. Many companies manufacture X10 products.

Radio-frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) products beam invisible signals to receivers to control different areas of your home. The most common type of IR controller is your standard remote control. The downside of IR is that it needs to have "line of sight" to function properly, meaning that you need to point your remote at the device you want to control.

The latest contestant in this inexpensive control lineup is Z-Wave, which was invented by the company Zensys. This is a wireless, RF-based, mesh-networks technology, which includes low-powered radio repeaters that relay commands. Z-Wave products are slowly coming to market, with HomeSeer Technologies at the forefront with their HomeSeerSE Z-Wave Starter Kit. This can be purchased on HomeSeer's Web site for $199.

There are also a variety of software programs out there that allow you to integrate control of your home with your computer. Some types of software will actually translate your voice into commands. Others notify you of specific events (such as when the kids come home) by sending emails and faxes. And many programs even let you view your home and make changes to the setup via the Internet. There are some that operate on Mac, and many are out there for PC users. There are even products for Linux and Unix users. But most software does not operate alone. You will still need hardware—whether it's sensors, cameras, or lamp and appliance modules.

In addition to being easier to install, many of these technologies also provide greater flexibility than a hardwired system. Most products integrate well with other a variety of manufacturers, including many hardwired products. Also, many are simple to move to various rooms, or even to a different house. But the big hook is that regardless of how heavy your piggy bank is, there's something out there for you.

Why Buy Now?
More appropriately, the question might be: "Why not buy now?" With so many technologies and products available today, there is no time like the present to start your home system. Even if you don't want to admit that you have $500 burning a hole in your pocket, you can actually start your home control system with as little as $100.

Klodowski says that it's easy to get a lot for $500, but you should start slow. Whatever you decide, any time is still a good time to buy. "You're going to spend $500 now and you're going to spend $500 down the road, because once you get involved in home automation, it's like drugs," he says. And once you live with a little home control, it's easy to determine what other areas you want to add on to.

And even though having a budget can still buy you a lot of products, don't expect to tie everything together for that one low price. But don't let that deter you from testing out different equipment. "There's no time like the present to start automating your home," says Rye. "You can expand your system any time you want, or any time new products are introduced."

Shopping List
"If you're on a tight budget, $500 will actually buy you quite a bit of automated lighting and appliance control," says Ken Kerr, president of Home Controls, Inc. In fact, Kerr has set up a nice starter system (see Figure 1, below) for anyone needing a good starting point. As you can see, this system is well under the $500 mark. And it may seem like quite a long list—but it's actually just a nice start.

There are tons of other products out there for lighting, audio, video and more—for both the beginner and advanced audience on a budget. Multiple products are manufactured and/or sold at companies such as Smarthome, Worthington Distribution and X10. You could outfit almost your entire house with just a few mouse clicks at either of these sites. Each one offers tons of products for every area of the home, as well as help in determining what might be best for your needs. Smarthome can even help you find a pro through their free online referral program.

These companies also offer different starter kits with everything you need to get your system started. You can also opt to mix and match your devices to your liking. Check Figure 1 for a good sample of items to purchase if you're starting a system from scratch. Another thing you might want to think about, if using X10, is a signal amplifier or booster, which can drastically improve your system's performance and reliability.

You can also go straight to the manufacturer to see what they are offering, as well as where to purchase products. Marrick Ltd. is one of the companies whose products are available for under $500. The LynX-10PLC control is a mere $99; the LynX-HOME with AQT software for $185. Add the LynX-POT IO board for controlling low-voltage equipment, such as sprinklers and various sensors, which is also available for $299. Newer versions of the PLC and PORT products will be out later this year, with slightly higher prices—but enhanced features and flexibility.

HAI also has the OmniLT, a powerful control that includes UL-security, lighting control and HVAC control, and built-in telephone access and control for about $380. However, it does need to be professionally installed.

The Premise Personal Edition ($199) has been hailed as the next coming of control in the home. Available from CompUSA as well as various online retailers, this product offers many of the same features you'd see in the professionally installed version, but at a fraction of the cost. It provides access to all of your home's systems from one control point, whether it's your PC, PDA or other Web-enabled device.

Monitoring services are extremely popular for hardwired systems, and now with services like Smarthome Live, you can monitor, program and adjust your home systems while on the go. For Smarthome Live, you will need a host computer and a broadband connection. Other than that, X10 users will need a minimum of a PowerLinc USB ($34.99), along with any sensors, switches or other devices. If you want to add camera capabilities, the service can take up to three IP cameras and/or four composite cameras. There are a few starter kits available, starting around $250. The service itself costs $9.99 per month, or you can opt to pay annually for $99.

Last, but certainly not least, HomeSeer ($149.95 to $159.95) is an extremely popular automation and software package that provides control and remote access to your home devices. The company is well-respected and has a very devoted community, which you'll usually find on the company's message boards. The great thing about HomeSeer is that it works with X10 and Z-Wave devices, and a slew of other manufacturers' products. HomeSeer also has a variety of incarnations, as well as add-on products.

We've discussed a few options here, but this doesn't even begin to scratch the surface. For a list of all of the manufacturers offering quality home control at a nice price, see the sidebar, "Good Bargains" on page 37. All of the products we've mentioned work well, but only you can decide which one is right for your needs and setup. Think about what you want to control in your home, and where you want that control. Pick products that go together and can be easily expanded as your needs—and budget—continue to grow.