When people think of home automation the kitchen isn’t usually the first room that comes to mind. Home theatre is generally the first priority. But the kitchen can be a place where home automation shines. There are some conveniences you are probably familiar with that can do in the kitchen. Then there are some state of the are options that are so new many companies in the industry don’t even know about them. Lets look at the way we can spruce up what is often the busiest room in the house.

Audio

You want a good speaker system in your kitchen. Why? Think of all the time you spend there and how music can make it better. It could be lively music to make clean-up go faster. It could be romantic music to set the mood as you prepare a candlelight dinner.  Or it could be the news and traffic reports as you eat breakfast before your business day. An audio system controlled by a convenient touch pad should be part of your basic equipment.

Video

In the kitchen? Absolutely! From your favourite afternoon TV shows to calling up a recipe on the internet to pleasing the people who want their morning news on the television, not the radio, you will find that a screen in the kitchen will be in constant use.

Lighting

Good work light in the kitchen is important, but after the work is done you may not want it that bright. A zoned dimmer system is the answer. Energy efficient LED lights can brighten up the counters, while diffused ceiling lights give you good general illumination. Dim them any way you choose from your touch panel.

Appliances

Some parts of automating appliances can be very basic. For example, you can put power controls on devices like coffee makers that might be left on by mistake. Not sure if you left it on? Kill the power from anywhere in the world using your smart phone. On the other hand, you can start your coffee maker from the touch screen in the upstairs bedroom and have it ready by the time you get downstairs.

Now we get to some of the newer items. Maybe its time you got an internet refrigerator. What’s that?

Internet refrigerators, also called Net Fridges, are basically refrigerators with a connection to the Internet. Some have a full built-in computer complete with hard drive like the LG refrigerator, and others have Internet access through a limited number of applications like the Samsung models. They include a touch screen, speakers, and Wi-Fi connections to the Internet or your home network. Popular applications include: Memo writing, calendar scheduling (great for meal planning), accessing online and personal recipes, weather reports, listening to music and notification of low or expiring foods. Because of their connection to the internet, they can be integrated into you whole home system. The LG model will actually analyze what’s inside the refrigerator and suggest recipes based on what’s on hand. Once you have the recipe, the refrigerator can automatically pass the instructions on to your Smart Oven. The oven can also be monitored and controlled from off site by any smart device.

Biometric Drawers and Cupboards

We’re now arriving at the leading edge of kitchen technology. There is no need to pull cupboards and drawers open and shut. Brush the drawer or wave your hand and the door or drawer will open. The best know manufacturer of these systems is Anvil Motion, but other companies are getting into the business. Want to control access to a cupboard that has sharp knives, poisonous household products or alcohol? Add a biometric scanner to restrict access to only the people who can be trusted. Other features include an ‘intelligent memory’ that senses the need to close multiple drawers and reverses the opening order, and the ability to program cabinets to close as you exit the kitchen. Like all the devices we’ve talked about, touch screen control is also possible.

You may be thinking that you’ve been getting along fine with your kitchen the way it is, and you don’t need any of these “luxury” features. But when you think about it, not long ago dishwashers and microwave ovens were only found in the homes of the wealthiest people. Your kitchen has already had many updates since your parents’ day, and the technology will continue to change. If you’re doing a major home renovation, you may be replacing appliances anyway. Let this be your opportunity to get in front of the technology and give yourself a kitchen that will be a conversation starter and the envy of your neighbours. Let the pro’s at OneTouch Automation advise you on what technology is best for your electronic lifestyle. We are the experts in design, installation and service of whole home systems, including dream kitchens. Call us today.

Home automation has grown very quickly in popularity. From something only the wealthiest could afford to a regular part of millions of homes, automated control has now arrived in a big way. But many homeowners still think this technology is only for their primary residence.As prices become more and more competitive, wireless technology increases and vacation homes become better equipped, it’s time to consider automating your cottage, chalet or lakeside retreat. Of course, the automation needs of a vacation property aren’t exactly the same as those of a full-time residence. It is unlikely that you will install a 7- speaker home theatre in a cottage. There are, however, many things that home automation brings to the table that you may find appealing for a vacation property. Here are a few of them:

Security

This is the number one concern of vacation property owners. Many cottage owners have experienced the disturbing surprise that comes from finding that someone has broken into their property in the off-season. It is a bad emotional experience, but it can also be expensive. Vandalism and doors or windows left open to the elements can cause thousands of dollars in property damage. There’s no need for this to happen. If you have access to phone lines, the internet or satellite capability, it’s possible to keep an eye on the property all year. Window-break sensors and motion detectors can alert you at once to any intruder, human or animal. The very same security systems can protect you from intruders when you’re there. That can be an added comfort if you’re in an isolated area far from the authorities.

Lighting is also a safety factor. Wouldn’t you rather drive up an illuminated driveway to find a fully lit cottage? No problem. Just send the command with your iphone before you arrive.

If you rent your cottage, you may want to install a programmable number pad in place of the lock. No more keys to deliver or return when the place is rented, and you can change the code so no-one can copy your keys and use them later.

Protect your property

Intruders aren’t the only source of damage to vacation homes. Frozen water pipes, flooding in the spring, fire and many other hazards can damage your property. A home automation system can detect any of these problems and immediately alert you allowing you to contact local authorities or trades to deal with the emergency. With automated door locks, you can let them in when they arrive, all without going to the property. A lot of this can be done even in areas without internet access. Products like the Sensaphone 400 will perform many of these monitoring functions on a simple analog telephone line.

Irrigation control is also a good feature to consider. If you can’t get to the property for a few weeks, you may still want to water the lawn and irrigate the flowerbeds. Your cottage automation system can easily do it, either on a regular schedule or by a remote command.

Comfort

On a chilly night, who wouldn’t prefer to arrive at a chalet that has already been preheated before you get there? Your automated comfort control can keep the property at a temperature that protects it from ice damage. When you’re on your way, send the command to warm the building up and arrive to a warm cozy welcome.

While you’re there, make sure you take advantage of controlling the many devices you now use at your vacation property. Satellite TV, DVD players and video games are all regular parts of the summer lifestyle. Why not add a radio frequency gateway to the system and wirelessly control all these devices? You may want to add control of the temperature and the lights in the hot tub too.

And don’t forget zoned audio. Whether it’s background music or the latest marine weather report, it’s easy to have the sound you want in any room. Add an iserver and you can easily access your favourite summer songs on your ipod.

At OneTouch automation, we believe that easy control of your home or cottage is not a silly luxury. It is simply the logical way of using and living with today’s home technology. We want to show you how convenient and affordable it is to put all this safety, comfort and convenience at your fingertips. Call the experts at OneTouch for a no-charge consultation. We know you will get excited about how different your new automated lifestyle is, whether you’re in the city or the country.

The term wireless has been used in electronics for many years. Sometimes it really meant wireless, and sometimes it just meant that there were no wires visible and somebody had found a way to hide them somewhere. Of course, wireless also wasn’t really a type of signal, it was more a way of doing things. The signals used for wireless have varied from radio to network to infrared to bluetooth to special manufacturer’s systems.

Over the years, the technology has had its ups and downs. One of the major failings has been in trying to send large amounts of information through the air. The first attempts at sending high definition video signals this way was close to twenty years ago, and many people think they still haven’t got it right.

In home automation, wireless has generally referred to two things. First, no wires on your remote control. Second, the ability to add devices to the system without running cable to them. This has gone very well. From light switches with their own IP address to the new generation of touch screens and I-control, this wireless world is now a part of everyday life. It’s time to take it up a notch. Here are some of the new ways that home automation is using wireless technology. Look for them in your home in the next few years.

Voicepod
Ever feel like yelling at the technology in your house? Now it will finally make a difference. Voicepod is a proprietary technology that allows you to control the automated devices in your home by voice command. With the voice pod in the room or microphones hidden in the walls, you can teach it to respond to simple voice commands that will run the devices on your control system. Tell the TV to turn on. Tell the lights to dim. Tell the blinds to close. VoicePod was specifically designed to work with Control4 but it can be successfully interfaced with most major automation systems through its serial port. This may be one of the coolest things you can show off to your friends in a home automation system.

Crestron Air Media
This is latest thing. While designed for business, we see it moving into home use almost immediatel. AirMedia by Crestron delivers a very simple, low-cost wireless HD presentation solution. Using AirMedia, anyone can walk into a huddle room or any other meeting space with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone and present wirelessly through the room’s HD display or projector. There are no wires to hook up, no complicated settings to configure, and no AV or control system is required. Simply connect via the local Wi-Fi network and start sharing HD content from your portable device. At just over an inch thick, the compact AirMedia gateway device fits virtually anywhere. A surface mounting bracket is included for attachment to a wall or ceiling. The gateway device connects to existing Ethernet infrastructure and takes advantage of your organization’s Wi-Fi network, affording an optimal wireless interface for laptops and mobile devices. Both HDMI and VGA/analog audio outputs are included for connection to the room display.

Gesture Technology
If you don’t want to talk to your technology, how about the wave of your hand? Gesture technology has been a big part of video games for years, but it is now becoming a regular part of home automation.
Gesture technology is actually an amalgamation of several different 3D technologies – cameras, motion sensors, all linked to an interfacing field. The end result is a flick of the wrist to start your audio system, a tap to pause, raise your hand to raise the volume. Intuitive natural body movements now control your technology. Gesture control is great for the elderly, persons with disabilities or anyone uncomfortable with conventional remotes, but it is very tricky to integrate and should only be done by the highest level of professional.

Near Field Control
How about controlling the home automation system without doing anything? Near Field Control puts sensors in the walls that know when you’ve come into a room with your iphone or android device and automatically sets the room the way you like it. No waving, no talking, no buttons. Companies like Creston have already made this technology available for home use.

This type of control was science fiction just a few years ago. It’s easy to see that home automation technology is changing quickly and you need to be on the leading edge to make the right choices. That why you should leave it to the pro’s at OneTouch Automation to design and install your system. We are passionate about technology and driven by our desire to give our clients total satisfaction. Call us today.

A question that comes up again and again in home automation is “Do I have to hire a professional company to automate my home or can I do it myself using my own computer to drive the system?” That should be a straightforward “Yes/No” kind of question, but it’s actually a lot more complicated than that. The answer is “Yes, it’s possible,” but the answer may also be “No, you don’t want to try and do it yourself.” Let’s have a look at some of the benefits and pitfalls of attempting to do this as a home handyman project.
For starters, you are talking about using a home computer to run the system. Sales of PC’s are way down, because most people are moving into a tablet or laptop system. But you can’t run this type of technology on a computer you take with you. If this is going to run your house, it has to be on all day every day, when you’re on holidays, when you’re at work, when you’re asleep. That means the first thing you’ll need is a very sturdy computer to become the 24/7 server that operates your house.
Then you’ll need software. Here’s where it starts to get tricky. There are many different ways of controlling devices in a home. The big companies like Crestron and AMX have their own protocols, languages and methods that take years to master. You don’t have the time or money to learn these systems, so you have to look at something simpler.
Software like Home Director of Homeseer is often based on the assumption that you are going to use “X10” devices. There are many devices made for X10 control, including lights, thermostats and TV remotes. X10’s main trick is that it sends signals through the power lines that are already inside the walls of your house. That eliminates the need to run new wire, but it is also a system that can drop messages or misinterpret cable noise as a command (for example, turn on a light when you don’t want it on) The signal can also bleed into your neighbour’s wiring. A system called Insteon was devised to address these problems, but they can still happen.
If this is making you nervous, you could look at a system based on UPB (Universal Powerline Bus) which is a bit more reliable, but there just aren’t as many devices available for it. Maybe the answer is to go wireless.

Still with me? If you choose to do your own wireless system, you can look at open-source technologies like Zigbee. You still have to be careful, because even though all Zigbee is supposed to be the same, the truth is it isn’t. A better bet might be to try Z-Wave. It’s controlled by one company so there are fewer compatibility issues. What does it take to make a device work? Let’s imagine for a moment you are using Homeseer on a PC and you want to control a light wirelessly on Z-Wave. Here are the instructions for setting it up, as described by Zack Stern in PC World:

Let’s say you want to configure a hallway lamp. Attach a lamp module to your outlet. You’ll use a Z-Wave remote to connect the lamp module to your Z-Wave network: Position the Z-Stick Series 2 (or a similar computer adapter) next to the lamp module. Push the button on the USB adapter, and then push the main button on the lamp module. The two will pair, and the USB adapter will store this information for the PC.
Turn your lamp on, and connect it to the Z-Wave module. (The lamp should stay dark.)
Connect the USB adapter to your PC. Install any driver software if needed, and import the lamp details into the HS2 software. You configure the software in a Web browser (which is great for accessing the HomeSeer PC from a networked computer of any OS). Click through to the Interface tab to attach the Z-Wave USB adapter.
Most important, be sure to configure the correct COM Port. With the USB adapter attached, open Device Manager and pick Ports. Check the port number of the USB stick, and enter that back in the HS2 configuration page; if you have the wrong COM Port, the software won’t show the adapter, and it won’t reveal a clear error either. When you’ve configured the software properly, you can import the details about the Z-Wave lamp module. You can now control the lamp from your PC, turning it on, shutting it off, and setting the brightness.
Once it’s installed, you might want to control it from offsite with software like GoToMyPC.

Did you feel comfortable with those instructions? That project is described as an “easy” one. I know there are some of you who will read that and say “No problem.” If so, you are probably the best candidates to take on automating your home as a hobby. But whether you think you’re ready to do it or not, be prepared for a system that still isn’t up to Crestron standards. When you use the real thing, you get leading edge technology that will do so much more than turn lights on and off. When you use a professional home automation company, you will be getting an experienced designer to develop the perfect system for you based on your needs. You will be getting a free-standing system that doesn’t depend on your PC or the internet to run. And you will be getting the technical support of someone with a career commitment to this technology. A simple system as a weekend hobby could be fun, but when it comes to true whole home automation, some things are just worth paying for.

The experts at OneTouch Automation are here to help. We are dedicated to selling you no more and no less than exactly what you need to give you the electronic lifestyle you want. Contact us today for a consultation.

When you work in an industry like ours, it’s sometimes easy to make the assumption that everyone knows the value of what we do. I was at a business breakfast last month and one of the guests at my table honestly said, “I’ve been living in my house for twenty years and it seems to work fine. Why should I spend a lot of money on something I’ve never had and I don’t think I need?”
We can’t think that everyone knows how great an automated home is. We need to face the fact that when any new technology comes along, it usually replaces something that is already there and usually working pretty well. Electric lights replaced gas lamps, cars replaced the horse and buggy. But those old technologies never stopped working, and you can go to parts of Pennsylvania where gas lamps and horses and buggies are still in use every day. If we want people to experience all the benefits of home automation, we have to be able to tell them in a few words why they should part with their hard-earned money for something they never had before and aren’t sure they need. Let’s see if we can state our case:

Convenience
It’s always best to lead with the strongest reason. You may have never had this technology before, but there is a lot of other technology already in your house that you never had before, and home automation is the way you get it under control. Unless you want to join the Amish in Pennsylvania, you will be dealing with a houseful of new gadgets with new ones appearing every year. High efficiency furnaces, LCD screens, blu-rays, satellite television, streaming audio, streaming video, your kids’ video games, energy efficient dimmable lighting – there’s always something new coming. Do you really want to spend your leisure time becoming an expert in how to integrate and control all of this? Wouldn’t you rather live in a home where all these things respond simply and easily to your needs, not theirs? Push one button to close all the shades or all the lights. Uses simple convenient controls for the rapidly growing selection of home entertainment.
You didn’t have home automation twenty years ago, but you also didn’t have six or seven remote controls you don’t understand on the coffee table in the family room. New technology has amazing benefits, but only if you can control it. We make that easy.

Environmental Responsibility
We have become painfully aware that we have been making a mess of the earth and leaving it for our kids to clean up. We are also aware that it isn’t right. But we have an opportunity to go in a different direction. With well-designed home automation, you can add the new technology you want to your home, and actually use less resources than you’re using now. Sophisticated thermosat control that minimizes the use of heat and air conditioning is just the start. High efficiency lights that dim when their not needed and shut off if the room isn’t used: Appliances that can be programmed to respond to variable electrical rates, so your dishwasher goes on when the rates are low, saving peak time load on the electrical grid (and also saving you money): Motorized shades that react to the season and the time of day to give you the best home comfort with the least energy. Home automation is one way you can show that you are prepared to do your part to help the planet.

Security
We’ve talked about the obvious aspects of security before. Things like alarms and video door phones are becoming common. But we can do even better. How about an alarm system that not only sets off an alarm if it detects and intruder, but also turns on every light in the house and even makes the lights outside your house flash on and off? How about a fire alarm system that not only sounds an alarm, but also automatically shuts off the heating or air conditioning to help stop the fire from spreading, then lights an exit path out of the house? How about a doorbell that takes a picture or video of every person who comes to your door and e-mails it to a secure place in the cloud? How about a system that sends you an e-mail if your latch-key kid hasn’t checked in at home after school? How about a system that warns you if an elderly relative forgets to turn off the stove or lets the bath overflow? Everyone wants to live in a safer home. Home automation is one way to make it happen.

At OneTouch Automation, our passion is to work with you and make sure that total control of your home will enhance your convenience, improve your safety and make your home “greener.” We can tell you the why’s and how’s of this exciting technology, and you can tell us when you want to start experiencing your home in a whole new way.

There was a time when the only option for big screen video in your home was projection. You may even remember the earliest kind of projector. It was the CRT (which stood for Cathode Ray Tube), it had three huge lenses in red, green and blue and was so dim it was sometimes projected on silver screens to try and brighten the image. It was also almost impossible focus. Some of them weighed as much as 80 kilograms. Basement ceilings needed special bracing to take the weight.
The next generation of home theatre projection was LCD. Smaller, cheaper, lighter and brighter, it became the standard for home theatres everywhere. It has its drawback (short life expectancy, expensive lamps, noisy fans) but folks still loved it. Then came DLP. Even smaller, these digital projectors gave us amazing contrast and saturated colours from “colour wheel” technology.
We would probably still be using them, but something happened that proved to be a game changer.
All of a sudden, projectors and plasma screens started to disappear. Especially the plasma screen, which was a heavy, expensive, energy sucking monster. Plasma and projectors were being elbowed out by the LCD screen. Cheap and cheerful, the LCD may not have had the same smoothness of motion that the plasma image did, but it weighed a fraction as much and cost way less.

Suddenly, with only a few exceptions, the LCD screen was king of the home theatre market. The available sizes continued to grow to the point where a 96” diagonal LCD at $10,000 can replace a plasma screen that may have at one time cost $80,000.
That could be the end of the story right there. Why would we be looking at going back to projection? I can tell you that in three initials – LED.

Several companies, including LG, Optoma and Sim2 have introduced new LED projectors for home theatre. Why is that such a big deal? Using Light Emitting Diodes instead of a regular lamp changes almost everything. First, they’re almost noiseless. Second, they are environmentally friendly. They use almost no power and generate almost no heat. And here’s the kicker. The LED lamps are designed to last 30,000 hours. That’s three times the life of some LCD screens. They aren’t super bright, but home theatre projectors never were. The Sim2 Mico line is already becoming a favourite of integrators. With its high definition image, small size and competitive price, it is the go-to LED unit for many companies. They are available right now with a Canadian distributor supporting them.
So, you ask, why bother? Weren’t we doing fine with LCD? Well, yes we were and for most applications we will continue to do so. But with this low-maintenance, long lasting, power saving option, we can go back and look again at why people wanted projection in their home theatres in the first place. The truth is, it has many advantages that we may have forgotten:

Big Screens
Projection is the by far the most efficient way to get really large images in high definition. In theory, if the room was large enough, you could have a 300” diagonal projection system, but that isn’t realistic. However, a 120” is definitely not out of the question.

Small Screens
Conversely, if you’re trying to fit a screen into a smaller space or an odd sized area, projection is still your best bet. By moving the projector and the zoom lens, you have many more size options available.

Space Saving
You can actually mount a projection screen closer to the wall than an LCD screen. The projector can be tucked out of the way in the ceiling.

Money Saving
For a really large image, projection is by far the cheapest way to go, even less expensive than LCD.

Better Wide Angle View
Many people feel that the viewers off to the side get a far better experience with projection than they do with LCD, as LCD is subject to a very sudden drop-off of brightness once you leave the area in the middle of the screen.

A True Theatre Experience
Admit it – there is nothing like darkening the room and watching a projected image. That’s what the cinema experience is all about. Add a motorized curtain in front of the screen, and you don’t just have another blu-ray showing, you have an event.

When the time comes to build your home theatre, don’t forget that LED projection just might be the option you’re looking for.

OneTouch Automation is your home for every kind of integration technology, including home theatre. We make it our business to stay ahead of the latest trends in technology to make sure the system you get – LCD, Plasma, Projector – is the one that is exactly suited to your budget and lifestyle. Call us today to arrange a visit from one of our home automation professionals.

A lot of companies, including us, want homeowners to be aware of the potential energy savings you can achieve through home automation. Green technology is very big right now, but as usual there are people who want to exploit “Green” as nothing more than a way to sell their products. This is called “Greenwashing” and it is becoming far too common. At OneTouch Automation, we want you to be well informed before you make any home automation decision. We will also never make promises about energy savings that can’t be supported by the facts. So here is the straight story on what home automation can and can’t do to save energy.

Your Automation System Only Saves Energy If It Is Designed To Do So

This may be the most important thing you should know. A poorly designed home automation system can actually use more energy. The thing to remember is that home automation systems use energy. Obviously, you will only save energy if the system saves more power than it uses. That won’t happen unless the home automation system has the right equipment to work with. That means starting with an energy smart design for the home and buying energy efficient appliances. Once you have the right appliances and lighting in place, it is the job of the automation system to find ways to control the outside environment (like sunlight) and to reduce the operating time and operating level of powered equipment like the lights, furnaces and air conditioning. There are many systems that could be part of an energy saving strategy. They include:
Hot water systems.
Appliances.
Home office, home entertainment and other electronic equipment.
Lighting.
Heating and cooling/air conditioning systems.
Fans and air pumps/heat shifters.
Powered window blinds, shutters and awnings.
Powered vents and window openings.
Water pumps, pool pumps and spas.
Garage doors.
Security systems.

Where You Can Really Save Energy

Heating and Cooling

Design your home to make the best use of solar energy and natural ventilation for passive heating and cooling before you consider your automation options. Use temperature sensors in different rooms to control heating and cooling. Appropriate placement of temperature sensors and the use of heating/AC timers can significantly reduce energy use, even if automated systems are not used. Analyse your heating/cooling needs and how you will manage these. Ask yourself what rooms need to be heated/cooled, when and to what temperature? Aim to heat/cool living areas when people are home but heat/cool bedrooms only at night and the early morning when they’re occupied. Bedrooms do not need to be made as warm or as cool as living areas, to be comfortable for sleeping. Avoid heating and cooling halls, laundries etc. Plan your automation system. Consider how opening and closing blinds, awnings, windows and vents can assist passive heating, cooling and natural lighting.
Your hot water heater should either be on-demand or one that shuts down when you are away for long periods. You don’t want to keep hundreds of litres of water hot when there’s no-one there to use it.

Lights

Once you have energy efficient lights, like CFL or LED, they should only be used when needed. That means using the convenience of a touch panel to shut off unused lights and using motion sensors so that a vacant room will shut off on its own. Focus on rooms like bathrooms where lights are frequently left on. Look at setting the lights to a 60% level during the day. You won’t notice and the power savings are immediate.

Appliances

Most modern appliances are “instant on.” In order to do that, they never actually shut off, but stay in “standby” mode, which means they are constantly using power. A home automation system can be used to actually power the equipment down completely at times when it isn’t likely to be used. In a large home, this can avoid wasting hundreds of watts of power. This is especially important in energy-hungry devices like large TV monitors, but it can also apply to everything from coffee makes to computers.

Window Coverings

Controlling sunlight in the house can definitely make a difference in energy use. Let the sun heat your house in winter, and still keep AC at a minimum in the summer by using powered blinds or curtains programmed to close at exactly the right time to maximize comfort and savings.

Electricity Demand

More and more utility companies are changing pricing based on the time of day the electricity is used. A top of the line home automation system can be programmed to adapt to this system (for example, automatically cutting back on air conditioning during peak periods). It can also be programmed so that a warning appears on your touch screen at times when power is at its most expensive. This may not cut consumption, but it can still help with the utility bills.
At OneTouch Automation, we want to make sure our clients are given only the most accurate information about automating their home. If someone makes energy-saving promises that sound too good to be true, they probably are. Saving power is a good thing, and within limits, home automation can help but it doesn’t do miracles. It is an important part of an overall green strategy that responsible homeowners are now putting in place. For a custom designed system that works perfectly for your needs, contact us today.

This is the week we get out our crystal ball and have a look at what homes will be like in the future. We’re not talking about the world of the Jetsons. We’re talking about how home will change in the next five to ten years. Your home is the largest investment you will ever make, and you need to be prepared for coming trends. There are a lot of factors at work that will create huge changes in our homes, and home automation will be a big part of it.
We will be building smaller more compact living environments, but they will be packed with punch. It is no surprise that fast-changing technology is the leading factor driving home design and home automation. With IPhones and touch pads now common place, intuitive user interfaces and touch controls will be used to control HVAC systems, lighting, sound, video and security in our home environments. Enhanced safety features and controls for its occupants will be an important consideration as the internet and social media outlets continue to connect us more and more.

So, what will the home of the near-future be like? The following are some of the ideas the industry is considering.

First and foremost is quality of life. There was a time when home size was a status symbol and people tried to buy the biggest place with the largest yard. Now, with more and more buyers wanting a short commute and a city lifestyle and with less and less serviced land, it isn’t about size. It’s about your day to day experience in the home. The new homes may be smaller, but they will be higher quality in all aspects. Home automation is a big part of that. The enhanced electronic lifestyle, convenience features and improved security are all major parts of a smaller but better home. High quality automated appliances will also be a part of this. The products that we choose will be more intuitive and use advanced technologies as well. Kohler’s Numi™ toilet, DTV Prompt™ digital showering system, and Crevasse® prep sink with Cynchronus™ rinsing technology are just a few of the newest products to offer more convenience for the user and enhanced functionality.

The monster homes we see now will go because of the many drawbacks to owning them. One problem with the old-fashioned “McMansion” is that they tended to be fuel and energy guzzlers. Utility prices continue to climb fast than the rate of inflation. The future home will have to be energy efficient. Home automation can help in many ways, with intelligent window coverings, thermostat control and better and more efficient ways to use and control lighting. A green home is an automated home. There will also be people who will want to leave the power grid and produce their own energy. A basic 230 watt solar panel is now very affordable. However, managing the output from that kind of system efficiently will still be something best left to a home automation system. The touch screen of the future will tell you how many watts your home is generating, what you’re using and how much you have stored, and will be able to switch the entire house to “eco” mode when required.

As real estate hits peak values, the “resale for a profit” mentality will go. Instead, people will look to “buy and hold” in a home that is tailored to their lifestyle. That means more and more “design/build” where the buyer, the designer, the builder and technology provider are all part of the same team from day one. Automating the home exactly the way you want it is a key part of personalizing your living space.
Some designers are now thinking beyond the single family home and looking at the multi-generation “family compound.” This used to be something only the rich could do, but the single family home may soon be a luxury we can’t afford. The compound home is like a mini-resort, with common areas like kitchens, pools, saunas and dining rooms. Home automation will manage the different areas so they are easily reserved by family members. The use of automated moving partitions will allow spaces to be combined or divided to make them more versatile. Automated walls will also allow us to open the home to the outside, bringing in more fresh air and improving our health. An automated modular home is ready to become a living space, a work space or a space to entertain.

Finally, there is the effect of our ageing population. One of the biggest changes that we will see residentially in the next 5-10 years is the permanent implementation of accessible design. As the Baby Boomers age, we will experience a “Senior Tsunami”, and the way we have designed homes in the past will not work for this ageing generation. The independent Boomer generation wants and expects to “age in place”, and the only way they will be able to do that is with new construction or extensive remodelling to make their homes accessible. Home automation will be a huge part of allowing seniors to stay in their homes. Part of this will be the emergence of Universal Design. This is a new set of standards that benefit all users, but especially those with disabilities. If you live long enough, you will develop a disability. With life spans getting longer, designs that assists a variety of disabilities will become standard construction. The changes that we will see will include wider hallways and doors, entrances on grade or ramps incorporated into the landscaping and facade, faucets and door handles controlled by push buttons or touch screens. Stairs will be minimized in new construction, and automated chair lifts, stair lifts, and elevators will be retrofitted in existing homes. Home theatre systems will be equipped with wireless hearing-assist systems for older family members.
Home automation will help make the house more accessible for those confined to wheelchairs. Walk in showers with the water controlled from a touch pad will grow in popularity, and roll in tubs with automated doors will become more commonplace. Kitchen cabinets can be motorized with automated mechanisms that allow them to be lowered to the correct height. Furniture and appliances will continue focusing on ergonomics i.e. washers and dryers will be front loading, and oven doors will hinge from the side, and easy to use touch-screens will become standard in almost every home.  A flashing light will be installed throughout the house to help alert a resident with a hearing impairment to the phone or doorbell ringing. Lighting and lighting control will change as eyes age and require more light.

You may think of these ideas as being something we will see far down the road, but it is amazing how fast things change. Where we are (in the Greater Toronto area), the size of the average condo is dropping at the rate of 1% a year. As construction of old fashioned suburban homes declines in Toronto, a hundred new tall condominiums are under construction. Many of these changes we have been looking at are already here.
At OneTouch Automation, we believe you need to anticipate these trends. Don’t invest your money in a home automation system that isn’t ready for what’s about to happen. Talk to us about the versatile, adaptable future friendly systems we supply. OneTouch is there to make your life style better, now and in the future.

A few weeks ago, we had a look at what AMX has been up to lately. This week, we want to have a look at some interesting new initiatives from the other top automation company, Crestron. Always wanting to stay ahead of the curve, Creston is now introducing exciting new products in lighting and sound.
In lighting, it began a few months ago when they introduced their own brand of LED drives, but at the ISE show in Amsterdam in February, they unveiled a line of complete Crestron lighting fixtures intended for the European market.
The Crestron Illutube, Illucube and recessed LED fixtures feature smooth dimming to 0 percent, “meaning you can dim it all the way down without powering the light off,” David Silberstein of Crestroin says. “This allows for the ‘smooth’ part of the dimming – there’s no flickering.”

This is a huge change. Up until now, automating lighting, especially LED, has been risky at best. Often, when the fixtures are chosen by the interior designer there is no concern about how they will work when they are actually installed. This has led to poor dimming, short lamp life and inconsistent colour.
That won’t be a problem with the Crestron lights. These fixtures produce a warm colour of light similar to the incandescent lights we are used to. They are even offering a light with red green and blue bulbs that will be tunable to any colour you want. Crestron guarantees that the colour will remain consistent from one fixture to the other, a real sore spot in previous LED’s.
A further advantage is the fact that as long as you are using Crestron gateways and controllers, they can assure you that these lights will function exactly as promised.
Now the bad news. At this point, the products have been introduced in Europe, but Crestron still hasn’t announced a date to introduce them in North America. That would require a voltage change, but it would also require a change in thinking on the part of the design community. They would have to start with the complete fixtures and design around then, instead of the current system of the designer choosing the fixture and integrator choosing the drive. Still, it’s a good start towards having truly seamless integration of perfectly controlled lighting.

Never a company to stand still, Crestron is also taking their game up a notch in the speaker business. In the past, Creston has been known for supplying reliable affordable speakers that were a popular choice for home automation, especially for background music. Now, Crestron is offering the audiophile new choices with the Essence and Aspire speakers.
The Aspire has woven poly-glass composite woofers and 1-inch synthetic polymer dome tweeters. Offset post-mounted tweeters are also there to reduce midrange frequency response anomalies. The Essense, on the other hand, adds in woven Kevlar woofers and 1.1-inch advanced synthetic polymer dome tweeters. It also has cast aluminum woofer baskets to crank out the bass.
Depending on the model, you can expect these speakers to handle between 100 and 175 watts of power, with a wide frequency response. Both of the new 2-way speakers also have paintable, zero-bezel grilles, making either one perfect for ceiling and wall installs. The easy installation of these speakers is a big advantage to the home owner, as it makes for decreased labour costs and less mess when they’re installed. It’s one more option for people who want the added sound quality of premium speaker, but want to stay completely within the Crestron line.

OneTouch Automation is proud to partner with Crestron and other industry leading manufacturers. We are constantly straying on top of advances in the industry, and continually upgrading our skills so that we can offer you the latest innovations and solutions. You don’t have to be an expert in home automation. Let us take care of finding you the right design, product and programming to make your home automation dreams a reality. Call us today to arrange a consultation.

We looked at home automation in condominiums last October, but we felt it would be a good idea to revisit the subject this week. The time for home automation in condominiums is now, but we keep hearing people make the same mistakes about whether it is possible.
Many people want the enhanced lifestyle that comes from a home automation system. They think of it as a “nice to have,” but something that is not realistic. They say things like “I live in a small condo downtown. I don’t have enough space or equipment. I can’t afford it, I don’t need a security system and besides, I’m only going to be here a few years. Why would I install a lot of gear that I can’t take with me?”
There are a lot of mistakes in that sentence, and those mistakes are keeping condo owners from enjoying the convenience, security and just plain fun that comes from the automated lifestyle. Today, we are going to look only at the objections condo owners raise, and why those objections don’t apply any more.

Here are the objections we hear every day:

“My condo isn’t big enough for this.”
Do you have lights? A TV? Do you like music? Do you have your own thermostat? In fact, you probably have all the things that can be controlled by home automation.
You may not need eight zones of audio, but even a one-bedroom can have separate music in the living/dining room, kitchen, bedroom and ensuite. Even a small condo will have a dozen light switches to control. Why not do it conveniently?
Having a smaller space can actually be an advantage It gives you the ability to use all-in-one boxes that include control, amplification, video and audio switching, scaling and much more. Economical to buy and easy to program, they are the perfect solution for the smaller home.

“The building already has security.”

Condo owners often have active lifestyles away from home. Why not make it so you can keep an eye on your home when you’re out? Ever manage to sneak past security at a condo? Exactly. Imagine if a bad guy did that. That’s why you need the extra security.

“I don’t have enough equipment.”

Count your remote controls, I-devices and other technology. If it comes to more than five, you have enough equipment.

“I can’t afford it”

The price of an average condo in the Toronto area where we are located is $389,000. That’s a good sized investment. If you are spending that kind of money, and maybe more, don’t you want to have the home you always wanted? So how much do you need to spend? Basic expandable systems can start from as little as $10,000 installed. The system can then grow with your family’s needs.

“I can’t take it with me”

The beauty of modern automation equipment is that that there are almost no wires. Most of the equipment is wireless or connected by small cables that can even run along baseboards without making a single hole in the wall. Speakers can be surface mounted. Light switches simply replace the original switches. If you love your control system but you’re moving to a bigger space, bring it along and expand it. Or why not leave it and use it as selling point for the condo? The condominium resale market is tough. This just might be the thing that helps you sell the place and meet your price.
OneTouch Automation has real-world experience with the needs of condominium owners. We can design, install, program and service. Reliability, simplicity, personalization and service second to none. That’s what we’re all about. Whether it’s pre-construction, a new finished unit or retrofit of an older suite, get our expertise and customer care on your side. You’ll be glad you did.