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Netropolus Smart Home Learning Center -- What is Smart Home Automation?:
For some, home automation may be something as simple as remote or automatic control of a few lights. For others, security may be the central application. Still others may choose to install advanced controllers. As a very basic definition, we tend to refer to smart home automation as anything that gives you remote or automatic control of things around the home.
Adding home automation to an existing home is surprisingly affordable and simple. Our average product costs less than $60
We at Netropolus Smart Home think that home automation should be what you want it to be. Whatever your "MVP" automation project might be, we're confident that using it will make life around the home more convenient, safe and fun!
Netropolus Smart Home features INSTEON, the GOLD Standard of home automation technology. INSTEON does NOT require any new wires! It works with a combination of RF wireless and PowerLine (i.e., your home's existing electrical wiring.)
| What Can I Control? -- Some Examples: |
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Lighting
 Probably the most popular control category and a great way to get involved with home automation. Dim light fixtures you could never dim before, and control them from anywhere in the house (or world via the Internet).
Security/Surveillance Systems & Access Control
 Have your home call you and/or loved ones if there is an alert situation. You can save money on security monitoring services or even monitor for non-traditional security events like water in the laundry room or basement. Additionally, Netropolus Smart Home products include devices that will allow you to unlock the front door to let friends in or close the garage door from your office via the web.
Home Theater & Entertainment
 Just imagine replacing that pile of remotes with just one controller. Now, imagine not having to know all 10 steps to starting up your home theater - just press the HBO icon and your home automation products/system will do the rest.
Thermostats
 Remote-control thermostats allow you to adjust the temperature from bed at night or even from a cell phone while on your way home (or to your second home!). They can even trigger a notice to you if the temperature gets too low (to prevent pipes from freezing) or too high (to protect your pets, plants, etc.).
Cable & Structured Wiring
 Home automation can be accomplished using various types of connectivity. What's great is that many (e.g., INSTEON) of today's home automation products need NO NEW WIRES - so they are perfect to retrofit into an existing home. However, if you are building new or doing a major remodel, please consider adding networking, audio, video and control wiring while it is easy and relatively inexpensive. Later on you'll be happy you did.
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Remote Control
Remote control gives you the convenience of controlling lighting, appliances, security/surveillance systems and consumer electronics from wherever you happen to be at the time, like your couch, car, or, in fact, anywhere away-from-home. There are several different "methods" of controlling devices remotely. Below we highlight the pluses and minuses of each.
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| Remote Technology |
Products |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Popular Applications |
Cost |
| Infrared |
Standard A/V remotes including remotes for the TV, DVD, tuner, etc. |
Affordable |
Line-of-sight |
TV / consumer electronics |
$10+ |
| Powerline |
X10, UPB |
Affordable + whole house |
May need noise filters & phase couplers |
Lighting, appliances and security |
X10: $10+
UPB: $75+ |
| Radio-Frequency (RF) |
Z-Wave |
Works through walls |
Long distance issues, more expensive than X10 |
Garage doors, computer networking |
$45+ |
| PowerLine & RF |
INSTEON |
Affordable, whole house, works through walls, no noise filters required, works with legacy X10 products, maximum speed and reliability, adding products increases reliability |
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Lighting, appliances, computer control |
$40+ |
| Hardwired |
Cat5; Coax |
Speed and reliability |
Cost & difficult to retrofit |
Video, networking & high-end applications |
$1,000+ |
X10-compatible products are the most popular home automation products because of their low cost and ease of installation, especially into existing homes.
Taking advantage of X10's convenience and popularity, Smarthome has created INSTEON technology, which combines powerline with RF remote technology for maximum coverage and reliability while still maintaining the low cost users have come to expect. INSTEON is the GOLD Standard of home automation technology. INSTEON-compatible products work with legacy X10 products but require no additional noise filters since each installed INSTEON device acts as a repeater. To learn more about INSTEON, click here.
Automatic Control
Automatic control adds even more convenience by making things happen automatically, without any effort being necessary. Examples include having your lights turn on at dusk and off at your desired time, having your whole home theater turn on and tune to the desired station after one press of a button on your remote.
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| What are the Benefits of Home Automation? |
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Convenience
We've all gotten used to controlling our TV from the couch; just wait until you are able to dim the lights as well. Imagine adjusting the temperature from your bed or controlling the volume of your whole-house audio system from any room. Or imagine the wall/ceiling heater in your bathroom coming on automatically on chilly mornings 5 minutes before your alarm clock goes off so that it is warm when you enter. Many Smarthome products also save energy -- we'll all agree that's a nice convenience.
Safety
We're all used to opening the garage door from the car, but you'll be surprised how much safer you'll feel coming home to a lit home and even turning on more lights from your keyfob remote upon your arrival. With a couple of basic products you can have your whole house light up like Fort Knox when there is motion detected at any corner of your house. Imagine your house sending you an email if there is motion where there shouldn't be any. Or you can have your security system call you if there is an alarm, which might include your typical security alarm or even a low or high temperature or water in the laundry room or basement.
Fun
High-tech products for the home are fun to use and share with others. Whether viewing visitors at your front door on your TV or tuning your stereo by using voice recognition, you'll find home automation surprisingly enjoyable. And when it comes to impressing the friends, you'll be happy to show off your newfound applications.
With the broad selection of home automation products offered by Netropolus Smart Home, you can control just about anything you wish in your home.
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