Have you ever stopped to realize that you are probably turning lights on and off in your house in the same way your grandmother did? For more than 20 years, there has been an easily installed, reliable technology that allows your existing light fixtures and appliances to be controlled in a variety of ways.

Imagine having friends over for a party and the press of a single button that can adjust all of the lights in your house to individual brightness settings that you pre-selected. Another button tells your home to automatically turn various lights on and off to simulate occupancy and deter would-be burglars when you are away.

And the everyday convenience of one button control, shutting off your lights, adjusting the air temperature, and activating your security systems when you go to bed. When you travel, this same system can be accessed with any internet-connected computer or cell phone to see, hear, and monitor your home's condition, and allows you to make adjustments to your home's controls by remote.

A HomeSmart House is uses the latest proven technologies to keep your family and home safe and comfortable, while giving you time and step-saving conveniences. "Smart Home" automation gives you more freedom and time to enjoy life and the daily activities you prefer to pursue.

The different applications of these technologies are categorized in the column on the left. In a fully integrated HomeSmart House, all systems work together seamlessly to give you total control with a variety of options. Many different types of functions can be initiated with the touch of one button or a voice command. Imagine telling your house, "At seven o'clock tonight, begin party settings." At 7:00 pm, your house will automatically adjust the heating/ac controls, turn on your pool and spa functions, set bright or dimmed light levels inside the house, turn on your landscape lighting, adjust the security system and property entry controls, turn on your favorite party music in selected rooms of the house, and prepare the entertainment in the home theatre.

How much does it cost?

Some system installers will give ballpark figures to entice people.  It really does depends on what systems you want installed and at what level of quality.  Whole systems can be added later, and systems can be expanded and upgraded as the technology advances.  

Is it cheaper to install this technology in a new house?  

Yes.  It is almost always possible to add these systems to an existing house, and it is easier (and cheaper) to incorporate these systems when a new house is being designed and built.  Even if you do not wish for a complete system right away, it is very cost-effective to at least have the wiring installed for future systems, while the walls and ceilings are being built.

How does Surround Sound work?  

The typical Home Theater Surround Sound package includes a receiver or amplifier and 6 speakers (2 Front, 2 Rear, 1 Center, and 1 Subwoofer).  When a movie or program is shown, there is a unique set of audio signals that have been encoded to provide particular parts of the movie's soundtrack to be heard from specifically placed speakers.  Hearing the crackle of leaves behind you from ET's footsteps in the woods, or the roar and squeal of a car chase scene race past you on the streets of San Francisco, adds the audio realism of your home theatre experience.

How can you set my drapes to close automatically? 

Basically, any controlled system, light, or appliance can be programmed to initiate a specific function when a pre-set set of conditions occur.  For example:  When the direct sun streams inside the living room, close the drapes.  Or, everyday at 2:00 pm, close the drapes.  Or, everyday at 2:00 pm, close the drapes IF the security system is armed (indicating that nobody is in the house).

How can you automate my sprinkler system?  And does it still come on when it's raining?  Your home's irrigation system can be pre-set to turn on and off under certain conditions, to water at certain times of the day (or night when there is less evaporation), and not to water if the ground already has a certain moisture level.

How can I use this technology to control my kids? 

For small children, a camera equipped nursery, (or pool or play area), can alert parents or a baby-sitter of  possible problems with the health and safety of the child.  The nursery can be viewed by any television in the house.  For teenagers, and HomeSmart House can log the time the exterior doors are opened and closed, and an option of alerting parents should the teenager leaves in the middle of the night, or comes home after curfew.

Can this technology be used to improve relations with my spouse?

A HomeSmart House can enhance your overall standard of living by giving you conveniences that save time and energy.  With an automated house, the systems can remember to secure doors and windows, provide coded entry when keys are lost or forgotten, turn off appliances, turn on the lights and the security system for people "who have more important things to think about," (a common excuse for forgetful spouses).  In the bedroom, the touch of a single button can set a romantic mood and immerse yourselves with sensuous surround sound music, dimmed lights, or your favorite movie. A sensor can give you advance notice when your 5-year old is heading for your room.  All those gadgets seem to help James Bond in the bedroom, . . . why not you?

Can I talk to my house and have it do what I command?  

Yes! Voice recognition systems have come a long way in recent years.  There are systems available that can easily integrate with a variety of the the popular home management systems.  It is now possible to "tell your house" to turn on/off/dim certain lights, turn on entertainment systems, adjust the thermostat, and even go onto the Internet and report your stock quotes.  Even without this feature, many systems will allow the homeowner to communicate with their home via phone or computer, to affect changes, initiate programs, or check on the status of the house environment.   

To answer more questions you might have, look through our website or contact us directly!