Re: A mentor / Advisor ?

["Chris Hackett" <chackett@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Robert,

Thanks for the prompt and friendly response!

I'll preface my ideas with the fact that I'm a true novice with this stuff,
so I may be in over my head.  Who knows.

Also, I think I'm going to have to implement this stuff in bits and pieces
so as not to break the bank.  But I want to make sure that I don't go with
the smallest or cheapest stuff available.  Particularly since I have all
these grand ideas.  So when it comes to the "brains" of the operation (if
there is such a thing), I'd rather err on the side of too much than too
little.

I think I would eventually like to have most of the "subsystems" controlled
or programmable.  HVAC, alarm / fire, lighting, data, cable (a/v) and
telephone.

Since the home is already built and walls are finished, there's probably not
a high likelihood that I'll be interested in fishing new wires to each room.
Although, I would guess that since there is a run to each room already, it
would be relatively easy to pull one of them back with a "chase" or
something, so I can attach a new run, and then pull them both back to the
room.

Here are some of my ideas and thoughts on each system:

Data:
-----
It's cool that each room has a cat5e run to it, but I've been happily using
my wireless network for some time now, and wouldn't be disappointed if I
continued using my wireless.  Although I don't know if my wireless Ethernet
will help or interfere with any wireless HA products or services.  I
definitely would like to have access to my HomeAutomation system via my data
network (so I can access it from my laptop or from the internet .. maybe
with some nat rules on my firewall).

Phone:
-------
My phone requirements are pretty small.  Don't use home phone for much of
anything.  Wife uses it occasionally, but for the most part we're cellular
people, and would probably give up home phone service if not for DSL.  One
person suggested installing big fancy phones in lieu of a speaker or
intercom system.  I don't know if that's necessary or not .. probably not.

HVAC:
--------
I don't know what all the options are with this, but I would suspect that
anything above and beyond the standard programmable thermostat would suffice
for me.  It might be cool to have a few temperature sensors in various
places in the home and control the system from those sensors as opposed to
the single sensor that's in the thermostat.  In our current home, we moved
the thermostat into the master bedroom instead of out in the hall.
Definitely care more about the temp in the bedroom than in the hall way, and
there's a significant difference.

Security:
---------
Again, I would expect that whatever is above and beyond the standard system
is cool with me.  My system now has standard burglar and fire monitoring
with all the usual bells and whistles (zones, motion, perimeter, etc..).

A/V:
------
This is probably one of the bigger issues for us.  We have, and LOVE, our
dual tuner DirectTivo.  Only problem is that we only have one of them in the
family room.  We can't route the signal anywhere else.  Well, I suppose we
could, but currently we don't.  I'm thinking there must be some sort of
solution to put the TIVO, and all the other AV equipment in the theater, and
use IR "stuff" to control it from other rooms, and program which signal goes
where.  My guess is this stuff aint cheap, so it may be cost prohibitive.
Oh .. and whole house audio is always cool.

Lighting:
--------
I don't think there's anything too unique about what I think is cool here.
Pre-Set "scenes" like "evening" or "party" or "sleep time" or whatever.  I
had a fellow out that was telling me that I would need to start replacing
all the switches with some kind of $100 switch.  That would be WAY expensive
for me .. I would bet the gang of switches in the entry way would cost me
close to $1,000 to replace, and that's only taking 3 steps into the house!

Whew .. that's a lot.  I guess what I'm thinking most about now is the main
panel and how much it will cost to make sure that down the road I don't have
to replace it because I didn't give it enough thought.

Ok .. I gotta get back to cutting the grass ...

Thanks so much for your insight!

Chris Hackett



"Robert L Bass" <robertbass1@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:O4mdnRqAMLOsndDYnZ2dnUVZ_sOdnZ2d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> Someone mentioned in another forum
>> that I might try this newsgroup for some help / advise with home
>> Automation.
>
> Hi Chris,
>
> You came to the right place.  There are a lot of regulars here who enjoy
> sharing what we know about home automation.  Some of us are DIYers, some
> work for professional HA installers and some of us (me included) sell home
> automation equipment and services to DIYers.
>
> Why not start by telling us what you'd like your HA system to do for you?
>
> --
>
> Regards,
> Robert L Bass
>
> =============================>
> Bass Home Electronics
> 941-866-1100
> 4883 Fallcrest Circle
> Sarasota · Florida · 34233
> http://www.bassburglaralarms.com
> =============================>
>