Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. What is a SmartHome or Intelligent Home?

A. A Smarthome is a house that has several different types of sensors and controls that assist the homeowner in eveyday life. Some of these devices can alert you if there is a fire, burglary, or maybe presence of certain dangerous gasses. A Smarthome can control lighting systems, turning on certain lights, and dimming several lights to preset values when a certain button is pressed. You can control many different types of systems and appliances from locations in the home, a cellphone, or across the internet. Security, Lighting and Climate control can all work together in a Smarthome.

 

Q. What is Structured Wiring?

A. Structured wiring is planned wiring that allows the homeowner or business owner to expand or change the functions of wallplates to make the house flexible. It is also a well thought out design that allows the house wiring to be used in a more efficient manner. For example, with structured wiring, you can change what telephone line goes to what wallplate. You can connect computers to an internal Local Area Network, and provide high speed Internet throughout the house.

Q. What Devices can a SmartHome Control?

A. That's a good question. anything a computer can control can be controlled by a SmartHome. For instance, Thermostats, Lights, Security Systems, Whole House Audio and Video, Entertainment Systems, Draperies and Blinds, Landscape lighting, Access Systems (like electric gates and magnetic door locks). With the new appliances on the market, you can also control many of them seemlessly with a SmartHome.

Q. How can I control things in my home?

A. You can have many different ways of controlling the devices in your home. Laptops and Web Tablets can use wireless technology to communicate with the SmartHome. you can connect to the SmartHome through high speed Internet connections from any computer in the world that is attached to the Internet. There are keypads that can be mounted on the wall, set by the bedside, or battery powered control pads that can go with you throughout the house. You can also setup a smart remote control to communicate with the SmartHome through infrared or radio frequencies. Lighting Scenes and Events can be triggered by outputs from devices you already have. For example, when your security system is tripped, it can send a signal to the lighting system to flash the outside lights so the Police or Fire Department can find your house quickly, and it will draw the neighboors attention.

Q. Can I access it over the internet from work?

A. Yes you can. Using Premise Systems Software, the screen images are displayed in a Web Browser, This allows any connection to the internet to access your home if they have the right username and password. Functions can be restricted, or high security can be used to allow access to the home. Any of the internal home computers can also make changes to the home by going to an internal web page. These too can be restricted based on who logs into the system.

Q. What does it cost?

A. I am often asked this question within the first few seconds of talking with a new customer. It would be the same thing as asking a car salesman to give you a price on a "Car" over the phone. It all depends on the amount of the devices you want to control and what complexity it involves. But, to allow you to get a idea of some of the BASIC controls, we are offering lighting systems in predesigned packages to assist you in planning for entry level home control. Please see our Contact Us link at the top of the page.

Q. Can you automate businesses as well as homes?

A. Yes we can. With all the energy and crime rates on the increase, it makes sense to automate businesses with energy, security, and lighting control. Light fixtures and lightbulbs can last much longer by dimmig the fixtures only slightly for various times of the day. Energy can be conserved when rooms are not occupied and by using automation, many criminals can be lead to believe someone is actually still in the building, and the crime may be stopped before it starts. Security systems can be setup to play announcements throughout the building, leading a burglar to believe that they are being addressed over a paging system. Access to the building can be controlled and logged to allow cleaning crews or employees to work, while knowing when they came in and left, and what doors were opened. Special maintainence crews can have access to the building only during certain predetermined times. Many of the cities on the coast are already passing laws, requiring lights to be turned off after a predetermined time if there is no one in the room. This is to help prevent some of the rolling blackouts that are being experienced due to electricity shortages.

Call us today to learn more about what we can do for you and to answer any questions you might have. Our phone number is 250-494-8181