Complete home automation and security advice

[hashmio]

Hi Guys

I am renovating my house completely including rewiring and I thought it would be a good time to run the wires also for a home automation system and alarm. I am not loaded so I don't want anything expensive. I would really appreciate some advice as it is very confusing as there are so many different systems and protocols. I would prefer a system which can be accessed via one user interface but I am flexible.

I would like the following to be automated:

Security Alarm (something that will contact me when it goes off and with wired PIR sensors)
Lights
heating control (a Main control would be fine but if it is cheap to do each room individually that would be good)
blinds/curtains

Some optional things I would also not mind
Door bell
Door lock
Fire alarms

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Os

[toscal]

Take a look at these two systems
Loxone
Idratek

Both will do what you want, its just a matter of preference and what your budget is.

[martyn.wendon]

As well as the recommendations for Loxone and Idratek, you could also look at:

CBus
Insteon (dual tech wired and wireless)
Z-Wave
Plugwise

Z-Wave is a good choice for wireless and has probably the largest range of devices across all the technologies covering lighting, heating, security and energy saving. I've slowly been moving over to it during the past few years - 14 years or so of various hybrid HA is a lot to work through, but generally I'm finding it's working out pretty well and is fairly easy to retro-fit.

But, renovating re-wiring gives you loads of options so you're not really limited to stuff that doesn't need masses of re-decorating afterwards

Check out Mark's wiring guide at http://www.automatedhome.co.uk/conte...ing-guide.html - the basic rule is that it's *much* cheaper to throw in loads and loads and loads (and loads) of cable at an early stage as opposed to 6 months later when everything is finished and you (or rather your significant other) suddenly states that "the TV doesn't quite work over there, let's move it over here"