An automation system doesn’t empower a person to sit around on the sofa while robots do things for them. What do you do, repeatedly, though out the day or week? Shut off lights, check to see if your doors are locked, open and close the drapes, start a TV show in the living room and finish it in the bedroom, listen to music in the backyard, adjust thermostat, throw big parties… All of those things can be done better or enhanced with an automation/control system.ĭon’t think that automation is for lazy people. To help you and anyone else reading this, here are 10 Steps to Getting the Best Home Control System for You Then together you’ll be able to figure out what the best system for your situation is. The truth is, you will probably be very satisfied with any number of the systems mentioned above if you find an experienced installer, sit down with that person/company, and have a thorough conversation about your wants, your home, your timeline and your budget. I know this sounds like I’m evading the answer. Some control systems play well with some components and not others–a lot of that depends on the drivers designed to operate the components, and that varies SKU by SKU sometimes. It also depends on the components (outside of the control system itself) that will be integrated. Some installers are also better than others, and the programmer’s expertise and creativity plays a large role in the features and operation of a system. With each system, there are differences in communication protocols, human interfaces, installation methods, costs, personalization, not to mention customer support networks. The reason I can’t just give you a simple answer and say “go with xyz system” is because it’s not merely about the hardware components, it’s about the installation, the programming (and the skill of the programmer), the home’s design and infrastructure and the homeowner him/herself. I get questions like this all the time, and the answer is usually something like “all of them.”Īll of the major players in home control, and by this I mean the custom installed and custom programmed systems (including companies like Control4, Crestron, AMX, BitWise, RTI, Savant, Elan g!, Total Control and a few others) are able to do all of the things you’re asking about. Here’s the latest, which just came in from reader Dan, and my response.ĭan: What do you feel is the best home control system that will control heating, lighting, security, video of all the rooms, etc? One question I get almost every week is some variation of “what control system should I buy?” We frequently receive questions from readers requesting advice on their home theaters, control systems etc.
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