Re: Getting started with home lighting automation

[Jules Verne <jules.verne@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Sun, 26 Jun 2005 23:11:33 -0400, Some Guy <Some@xxxxxxx> spake
thusly:

>Jules Verne wrote:
>
>> I'm looking for a way to program 6-8 lights in my house
>> for a "lived in" look when we're out of town.
>
>When you think about this from a home-owner point of view, it sorta
>makes sense that you'd want various lights to go off and on to make it
>look like someone's inside.
>
>But from the point of view of break-in prevention, unless someone is
>casing your house and observing it (which is unlikely) then all the
>effort you're putting in will not really be any more effective than
>keeping one (or more) lights on all the time.
>
>If it's night-time deterrence you're after, then keeping a bedroom
>light on (and/or onsuite bathroom light) that's visible from street
>(or the approach to the house) combined with a porch light (or
>anything that lights the exterior during the night) will be all you
>need.
>
>Keep a radio going all the time as well.  That might spook anyone
>expecting an empty house.
>
>A TV going at night in a room that's visible from the street should
>give enough visual distraction to indicate that maybe someone's home.

Thanks for your comments.  I agree to a point, but I think it's
better, for example, if I have the exterior lights go on after
dark and go out around midnight.  If these lights are on all day
it definitely looks like you're gone.  Maybe I don't need to run
so many other lights, but a few going on and off I think will be
a good idea.

JV