Hi folks, I would welcome anyone's thoughts on what kind of system/standard I should go for home automation-wise. I'm having a new home built in the UK; quite large (3 floors, 5 bedrooms) and it will have Cat5 cabling to every room. We have pretty good broadband access (8MB), being right next to the telephone exchange! I have some thoughts on specific requirements (see below) but no doubt these will change over time so I need something flexible and future-proof. I have an IT/web background so I like the idea of being able to customise the interface myself. I don't really have much in the way of electrical skills though the electrician on the project is my next door neighbour and I'm sure he'll be able to provide ongoing help. My instinct is that I don't want to be tied in to a particular company for the hardware, but neither do I want to go out on a limb with a solution that doesn't have a decent customer base
Stuff I reckon I would like includes:
LIGHTING CONTROL
- Timed events, dimming, pre-defined moods, some LEDs
- remote control via phone or internet
SECURITY
- several cameras and microphones (including outside, maybe even infra-red).
- motion sensors (inside and out)
- alerts to mobile phone or internet for triggered events
- remote control via phone or internet
HEATING CONTROL
- Nothing fancy, but would be nice to have remote access e.g. turn it up when I'm on the way home!
AUDIO-VISUAL
- Will have speakers and screens in several rooms for music,TV,internet and gaming
ELECTRICITY
- would be nice to do some energy monitoring, maybe power used by room or even socket?
I don't necessarily need a single system to control all of the above, though I guess that's the ideal
I don't need the perfect system from day one but I just want to get the initial decisions right in terms of:
- Which standard and main controlling hardware to go for?
- What to ask the builders/electrician to take into account during the build?
All replies gratefully received
Stuff I reckon I would like includes:
LIGHTING CONTROL
- Timed events, dimming, pre-defined moods, some LEDs
- remote control via phone or internet
SECURITY
- several cameras and microphones (including outside, maybe even infra-red).
- motion sensors (inside and out)
- alerts to mobile phone or internet for triggered events
- remote control via phone or internet
HEATING CONTROL
- Nothing fancy, but would be nice to have remote access e.g. turn it up when I'm on the way home!
AUDIO-VISUAL
- Will have speakers and screens in several rooms for music,TV,internet and gaming
ELECTRICITY
- would be nice to do some energy monitoring, maybe power used by room or even socket?
I don't necessarily need a single system to control all of the above, though I guess that's the ideal
I don't need the perfect system from day one but I just want to get the initial decisions right in terms of:
- Which standard and main controlling hardware to go for?
- What to ask the builders/electrician to take into account during the build?
All replies gratefully received
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