Home automation

[SageGk]

I've been considering integrating home automation to my condo. Is it an expensive project for an existing home? Thanks.

[SWKerr]

Depends on what you mean by Home Automation. If you are not afraid of doing you own wiring and start small then no but if you have grand plans and need a professional then yes.

[freedml]

Depends how much you want to automate. A few lights and odds and ends can be done with plug-in modules and light switches. Or you can start that way and then bring in a pro when your wants outstrip your technical know-how.

[Fuzzy]

The X-10/Insteon type devices are cheap and easy to setup/use. Their use might be limited in a Condo situation, as the signals may very well be transmitted over the entire building/complex (not necessarily a problem on its own, but could potentially cause issues if others have similar/conflicting devices). Nothing stranger than a neighbor turning on and off your lights.

[xred]

Originally Posted by SageGk

I've been considering integrating home automation to my condo. Is it an expensive project for an existing home? Thanks.

Depends on the age of your condo.

Here in Toronto I've found that almost all condo's built in the last 5-7 years have structured wiring in the walls and are pre-wired with CAT5e and RJ45 connectors at the jack.

If you look in the front closet of your unit, your likely to find a metal panel or door. Pop that sucker off and take a look inside. You'll likely find the CAT5e wiring is terminated in a punch down block. If you don't use a land line then you're free to repurpose those for network use. There will likely be a power outlet near the panel where you can plug in a switch / router. Crimp some heads on to the CAT5e and voila instant gigabit network.

You'll also likely find all the RG-11 coax terminates in that panel and that its very easy to use a fish to pull new network cable to any location that has a an existing coax jack (ie where your TV's are). Buy some Leviton panels with coax and RJ45 snap in modules to wire those up.

As for lighting automation you are probably best off going with one of the newer more reliable powerline technologies like Insteon. I would stay away from X10. I think Insteon also has modules to control your thermostats.

[sic0048]

Check out Cocoontech for a really good automation forum/web site.

Automation is expensive. But it is also fun and can be rolled out slowly. So you don't have to drop a lot of $$$ to get started.

Everyone has their own suggestions as to what is best - similar to building a HTPC. But there are many ways to get the job done.

Since people are giving their 2 cents - I'd REALLY recommend staying away from Insteon. I quick google search will uncover ton's of people that are unhappy with the product and the support. Many, many people have experienced 50%+ failure rates.

There are lots of newer lighting systems that use Zigbee or Z-Wave (two different designs even if they sound similar). I personally really like the Jetstream system by Centralite. It is a Zigbee based wireless lighting system (meaning the automation controls are wireless - obviously the HV wires are still used) with a super easy software system to create your system.

I personally use a home automation software system called CQC (Charmed Quark Controller). It allows me to tie many of my different systems in my house together (like HVAC, lighting, and media management). I can even control my SageTV system via the CQC system.

[wayner]

I have a system called Control4 that is quite good - it uses Zigbee. The main downsides are that it is not DIY - you need to buy everything from an installer, and it is expensive although a fraction of the cost of stuff like Crestron.