Last week we had a look at a room that is often neglected when it comes to home automation, the kitchen. This week, we’re going to move on to a different space that doesn’t always get the automation it deserves – the bedroom.

Home automation exists to enhance different parts of your lifestyle – security, convenience, entertainment, assisted living, safety, energy efficiency, and lets not forget, fun.

There is an opportunity to take advantage of all of these in an automated bedroom. Let’s take a look at few ways that a modern well-designed system can make your life better.

 Privacy and Security

These are two of the most obvious. Motorized window coverings should now be considered standard equipment in the bedroom of any quality home. When you choose a top of the line product like Crestron, you can order double shades. The daytime shade will preserve your privacy while allowing a view of the outside. Put down the blackout blind and night, and you will have total privacy and no street lights or passing headlights to disturb your sleep.

You will also want to make the bedroom part of your housewide security system. Prowlers come around when you’re asleep. A bedroom, especially a ground floor bedroom, should be protected with window break alarms, and lights with motion detectors outside the windows. Make sure one of your security cameras captures the area outside the bedroom too.

 Lighting

In our stressful world, the bedroom should be an oasis of calm. Indirect dimmable LED lights are not only energy efficient, they also enhance the décor of any bedroom. By adding the lights to your home automation system, you can use the touch of a button at your bedside to turn on the lights anywhere in the house. This is especially good if you have to check on a crying baby or find out what that noise is downstairs.

 Music

Music in the bedroom is overlooked, but should be a part of the system. Whether you use the bedroom as a computer room, a refuge to read in or a place to relax and have a nap, your choice of background music can help. Or, you can hear the latest weather report in the morning as you get ready for your busy day. All the music selections can be easily controlled from your bedside touch panel or from an I-device.

 Entertainment

Another item that has become standard equipment in most bedrooms is a flat screen TV. You could just have a cable signal, but why stop there? In a fully automated home, you can have access to the internet, Netflix, cable and satellite. Why not add a wireless keyboard and surf the internet from your bed on the giant screen? Use your bedside touch screen and you can call up any film that is on your media server. Start watching a movie in the living room and finish watching it in bed. Access all your favourite sports channels. The sky is the limit. You can even put the TV sound through the ceiling speakers for a theatre experience in your own bed.

 Fun

The home automation business is always coming up with new devices. There are many that make for fun additions to a bedroom system. How about a robot vacuum cleaner that is programmed to come out every morning after you leave for work and clean the floor? How about using the touch panel to turn on in-floor heaters in the en-suite bathroom before you get there? You’ll never feel cold tiles on your feet again. What about window coverings that react automatically to sunlight, so that even if you aren’t there they will still close and protect your valuable furniture and floors from sun damage. What about a skylight over your bed with a motorized blackout shade? Sleep under the stars when you want, or keep it closed for perfect privacy.

The possibilities are endless and are limited only by your imagination and the skill and knowledge of your home automation integrator. At OneTouch Automation, our designers and programmers carry the highest level of certification in the industry. Offering only the best products from companies like Crestron, AMX, Pakedge, Tannoy and Kaleidescape, our mission is to provide you with systems that are ahead of the curve and ready to provide years of trouble-free system. Our designs are flexible, adaptable and future-friendly.

Call OneTouch Automation today for a no-charge consultation with one of our Home Automation experts.

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.

Far too often in our industry, we encounter people who have had bad experiences with home automation. They swear they will “never touch that stuff again.” We understand their feelings. They usually feel this way because they picked the wrong contractor and ended up with a lot of promises and no performance. This is an industry where it is possible for almost anyone to claim to be home automation specialist. There is currently no licensing and almost no government standards for this technology.
What do you do? The good news is, you have the chance right at the start of the process to make sure you are getting involved with the right company.
On this blog, we have looked as some of the ways you pick a contractor. We want to make this as simple as possible. When you sit down with a potential home automation provider, have a sheet ready with the following questions:

1. What is your company profile?
One of the questions people will often ask is “How long have you been in business.” That may or may not help you in this case. Home automation specialty companies are a fairly new concept. Just because a company is fairly new, it doesn’t mean they don’t have experience. That’s when you go the question about experience and certification. Another question that is often asked is “How big is your company?” as if size was the same as quality. In fact, many people are finding that bigger isn’t necessarily better. A really large company can have high overheads that increase prices, use sales reps under strict quotas that encourage them to load you up with gear you don’t really need. It can also lead to a less personal approach that can sometimes leave you being passed from department to department when you just want to talk to someone about your home. It is now common for companies to deliberately remain smaller and more agile and use a regular stable of outside suppliers to help them. There’s nothing wrong with that. It provides a personal touch  that may otherwise be missing.

2. Are you certified, licensed and insured?
These are questions that should be easily answered. While there are no government standards for home automation, there are legal standards any contractor, including an automation company, should meet. They should be certified by one of the major manufacturers like Crestron or AMX as installers and programmers. If they are doing audio visual as well, they should have certification from Infocomm. In most jurisdictions, they should be registered as a business with the government. For insurance purposes, they should have some kind of liability insurance, though they may only need to insure that specific project.

3. Can you actually show me what my user interface will look and work like?
A reputable company will have sample product on hand,  and/or good support from the manufacturer so that they can show you exactly how the interface you will use every day will look and feel. The type of touch screen and buttons you want to use is a huge choice. You need someone who can really help with this part of the job.

4. What does your paperwork look like?
You don’t want to deal with a company that sketches out systems on the back of a napkin. They should have examples of previous projects that show the quality of their documentation, including wiring diagrams, rack elevation and functional drawings. There can be no excuse for using poor paperwork.

5. Who owns my program?
This is often overlooked. Home automation systems are programmed using a special code that your friend who is good with computers knows nothing about. You can be held hostage in a service contract if the supplier won’t give you the code and passwords. Make sure early on that these will be turned over to you the day the system is completed.

6. What happens after the job is installed?
What do you get in the way of a warranty? If a potential integrator tells you that the manufacturer’s warranty protects you, a red flag should go up. The manufacturer takes no responsibility for the programming, for removing and re-installing equipment or for problems caused by simple mistakes like accidentally shutting off the power. You need to know what the supplier will do for free and for how long, and what happens after that for both programming and equipment issues. You need to know how many times they’ll come to your house before they start billing you.  A good supplier will offer you the option of an affordable long-term contract that will give you peace of mind knowing your system will be supported now and in the future.

7. Can I please have your references?
You don’t want to be any company’s first customer, so they should have references. When you contact the references, there is a different set of questions you should ask. Keep this list handy and take notes about the answers.

ï‚· What work did the contractor perform for you?
ï‚· Did the contractor meet or exceed your expectations?
ï‚· How did the contractor treat your home while they were there?
ï‚· Was the contractor punctual?
ï‚· How well did the contractor communicate?
ï‚· Have you had any issue with your system, post installation and, if so, how did the contractor address the issue?
ï‚· If you could change one thing about your experience with the contractor, what would it be?
Taking the time to find the right technology partner is an essential part of doing your homework. It’s the way to make sure you’ve made the right choice of integrator. At OneTouch, an educated client is our best friend. We believe we have the right answers to all your questions and the skills and experience to fulfill all your automation needs. Get in touch when your ready to make life in your home a better, safer and greener experience.

The first wireless device I ever used was made by AMX. The year was 1982, and I was one of the notoriously nerdy AV enthusiasts at University. We were the ones who were always asked to load the film strips and set up the slide projectors. This time, the projector came with something new – an MX20 wireless remote. You could stand at the front of the room and advance the slides from there without a wire! It seems so humble now, but it was a miracle at the time and the beginning of great things.
On through the years AMX has introduced one great product and innovation after another. From touch panels to digital media servers to motion control, from video conferencing to VOIP to ultra wide screen panels, AMX has always stayed at the forefront of automation technology.
Now AMX is taking an aggressive new stance in home automation. They have also dedicated themselves to making home automation clear and understandable for homeowners.

AMX was concerned that over the years, there had been too much emphasis placed on the technology and not enough on the enormous lifestyle benefits of home automation. For the homeowner, it had become a matter of navigating through an alphabet soup of processor model numbers, generations of data cable, radio frequencies and dozens of other things that frankly, they had absolutely no interest in. In 2010, AMX aggressively ramped up their home products initiative, and that led to a new philosophy, as well as one of the best web sites in the industry.

The site is called simplifymyhome.com. In this case, the name says it all. AMX wants to show you that far from being a complication in your life, home automation is what is going to make you life easier, safer, more convenient, more environmentally responsible and more fun.

They believe that simplifying your home starts with understanding the four major steps to putting in your system. The first one is a plan. The saying goes “if you fail to plan, you plan to fail,” and nowhere is that more accurate than in home automation. That means taking into account your needs, your architecture and your interior design.
Next, you need to get a great design, which means finding and engaging a professional. They will take into account the many variables including:
Room specs
Wiring specs
Equipment housing
Power requirement
Audio system
Projection system
Lighting control
Room seating
Room integration

Next comes installation, when the system goes and in, home modifications are made and the programming is perfected.

Finally, there’s upgrade and support. You protect you investment by making sure it stays current and is in optimum shape. You need to find the right professional to make that happen.

But for AMX, it isn’t just the helping you understand the process. A system is nothing if you don’t have the hardware to make it happen. AMX is offering products that will make all your home systems- audio, video, lights, security, off-site control, HVAC – simple, easy to use, reliable and affordable. Towards that end, they are rolling out an assortment of new and innovative solutions that are really getting the attention of the industry.

One is the Enova DGX line. Designed to install quickly, it combines the functions of a switcher, controller, analog to digital converter, ethernet control, video scaler and so much more, all in one box. The unit is an integrators dream, as it is quick to set up and friendly to program.

The AMX Modero touch panels are already well known, but the new ModeroX panels offer wide screens, edge to edge glass and other state of the art refinements.
If you want to leverage your existing technology, TPControl will turn your Apple or Android device into a full function AMX controller.
For added security, look to the AMX Metreau Entry Communicator. It’s a video door phone solution that integrates seamlessly with the AMX systems.
When it comes to lighting, AMX partners with the world-famous Lutron line to give you a host of solutions. The Lutron products interface easily with AMX products in a system they call Lutron ClearConnect.

A short blog can’t possibly tell you all the incredible, innovative and surprisingly affordable products and solutions offered by AMX. Before you make a decision about home automation, you owe it to yourself to visit the Simplifymyhome web site and then talk to an authorized AMX dealer like OneTouch Automation. We have the experience, the skills and the support of the AMX team. We’ll help you put together the kind of system that will turn your wish list into a check list. Call us today.

When it comes time to have work done in your home, there are many ways to find the right contractor. You could ask your neighbours. You could check directories and look for companies that have been successfully in the business for a long time. You could go with a company name that you recognize. It’s not that easy with home automation. This is a new and ever changing technology. There are no companies that go back twenty or thirty years in the business, as it didn’t exist as a business back then. You can’t ask your neighbours, as you may be the first one on your street investing in this technology. The business is so new, that there are no brand name integrators. But you are trusting this contractor with your home and your money.

There are definitely some red flags that will warn you about home automation contractors you should avoid. Here are a few:

No certification – this one is huge. The major players in the integrated home technology business have invested a fortune in programs that train and certify professionals in the industry. These skills need constant upgrading to make sure they reflect the current state of the industry. If your contractor tries to tell you that because he is an electrician, a TV repairman or a cable guy he is qualified to automate your home, don’t believe it. The contractor should be able to present the certification documents of anyone who will be designing or programming your system. Check the date. A five year old certification is almost as good as no training at all unless it has been constantly upgraded. And check who it’s from. It should be from an industry leader like Crestron or AMX. This type of training costs thousands of dollars in classroom and travel time, but the real pro’s have it.

No references – You don’t want to be the first job a company works on. The company you want to deal with has satisfied customers that are pleased to talk to you about their experience. Ask tough questions – did they stick to the budget, did they try to upsell you, were their workers clean and polite, was the job done on time. A reputable company has nothing to fear from you talking to their clients.

No money – If the contractor has no money and is asking you to pay for the entire job up front, that should be a warning that something is wrong. It is totally acceptable to be asked for partial payment at signing and on delivery of goods, but the best home automation suppliers will work with you on terms, not make demands.

No delay – If the contractor says they can be in your house tomorrow, hang up the phone. Good companies are in demand. They work hard on that crucial last 5% of the job that makes all the difference to whether the job is poor, adequate or exceptional. If they are starting in your house immediately, that almost always means they are a company with no customers, or they are leaving someone else’s job half finished and moving on to yours. Either way, it’s a pretty good sign that this is not the installer for you.

No commitment to the business – Home Automation can’t be a hobby or a sideline if is going to be done right. In the next few years, you will see alarm companies, cable TV companies and probably others trying to profit from this technology. It’s your home. You deserve the best. You shouldn’t let someone with no experience or long-term commitment to the business try to make a few quick dollars selling something they don’t really care about or understand.

No guarantee – When we say guarantee, we mean get it in writing. Who is responsible for what, and for how long? What is the service response time? Your components may be under warranty, but does that cover the cost of taking them out the system and putting them back? If you add a new piece of technology (and you will) who pays for the integration and reprogramming, and how much will it cost? What happens when the warranty ends? Can the contractor offer you a service maintenance agreement that will cover you in the years to come?

At OneTouch Automation, we are proud to show you how our certified staff, satisfied customers, flexible scheduling and strong warranty make your home automation experience pleasant, affordable and an investment you can be proud of for years to come.

Contact us any time.

Last week in Toronto, the top professional interior designers in Canada met for their annual trade show. The IIDEX show is still the number one event of its kind in the country. The premier manufacturers bring their newest products, and designers network and attend workshops, seminars and social events

OneTouch Automation was pleased to be the only Home Automation specialist exhibiting at IIDEX. There were a number of reasons we wanted to be there.

One reason was to educate the designers about the new products and solutions available in the exciting area of integrated home technology. Designers are in the business of creating dream homes and businesses. OneTouch was there to show them how we can take that dream and make it more livable, more energy efficient and more secure.

We were pleased to be joined in our booth by some of the leading manufacturers we proudly represent, including Crestron, AMX, Lutron and Kramer. The crowds at the show were treated to big screen images of Crestron technology as displayed by Kramer video switching. A fully functional touch pad system was provided so that visitors could find out for themselves how easy and enjoyable it is to control multiple types of technology. Those with an interest in top-of-the line items were delighted to see and try the AMX wide touch screens.

Many of the people we spoke with told us they realized they needed to understand this technology, as their clients were now demanding it. We found that in many ways, our approach is not that much different from theirs. The interior designer takes a variety of components – wall finishes, flooring, drapes, furniture, artwork – and combines them to create a coherent whole. They learned that we do the same thing, We take security systems, music systems, theatre systems, home heating and cooling, lighting and other technology and combine it into a complete whole home system where every element works together, just like their design does.

It was also an opportunity to help them understand that the earlier home automation is part of the design, the better it is, not just for them, but also for the client. Until now, many designers have thought of technology as something that is added late in the project after everything else is finished. But there are many benefits from adding us to the team right from the start. It’s all about being part of the early planning. They found out how easy and straightforward it is to involve OneTouch in their projects, as the interior design process fits perfectly with what we do:

– Design a custom system that completely suits the homeowner’s lifestyle:

– Select technology and systems that create the exact look and experience the client wants:

– Work closely with the architect, the builder, the designer and the homeowner every step of the way.

They were also pleased to know that our initial consultation is always free, and that we will come to them to make the process as easy as possible. Architects at the show were happy to know what we speak their language, that we work easily with CADD and that our industry-certified employees understand the importance of structural and electrical safety.

The result was a highly successful show that allowed us to reach out to a whole new industry. Over the coming year, we look forward to going out to educate designers about the basics of A/V, home automation and control, and show how they work together to make their clients even happier.

We look forward to helping the many new friends we made at IIDEX to use Whole Home Automation and Integrated Home Technology to bring a new level of satisfaction to their clients. If you are in the design industry and want to know more about audio visual technology and home automation, contact OneTouch today.

The CEDIA Expo is still the largest trade show for the home technology industry. The show took place this year in Indianapolis, Indiana. This may seem like an odd location, but CEDIA tends to avoid the usual convention cities (next year will probably be in Denver) Also, several large A/V companies (Klipsch, Dalite Screen, Draper) are located near Indianapolis, so the A/V industry is not unfamiliar to them. The show has changed over the years, with many of the large companies not booking space on the convention floor. Instead they introduce products in off site locations at local hotels. Neither LG nor Panasonic chose to exhibit this year, but there were many other major companies on hand, and a lot of new products to be seen. In the Home Automation and Home Entertainment field, here are a few of the interesting items and trends that were on display.

4K Television: Now that just about everyone has a high definition LED TV in their home, we are being offered a new format. Ulta High Definition TV (4K) is almost four thousand pixels across. That is double the resolution of a current high definition TV. Is the public ready and willing to adopt this? No-one is sure. With a hefty $20,000 to $25,000 price tag for an 84” screen, there will be a small number of early adopters of this format. Considering that a lot of people have just converted to high definition and are pretty satisfied, it may be several years and a lot of price decreases before we see 4K in wide use.

Wireless Everything: The trend towards eliminating cables is now becoming the standard. Speaker manufacturers are heavily promoting “wireless: speakers (though they still need A/C, the signal arrives wirelessly). Everything in home automation is now offered with a wireless option. Some manufacturers are offering Home Automation systems that are driven by information stored offsite on the internet. It remains to be seen whether people will be comfortable putting the operation of home systems in the cloud, as that means you will be relying on your internet service provider to make the systems in your home function.

Affordable Home Automation: The major A/V manufacturers have finally realized that the Crestron and AMX systems that were a custom app for the rich are now reaching a much more affordable position in the marketplace. Creston and AMX have developed many far more affordable options. Combine that with product from some of the more modestly priced home control manufacturers, and you have the potential for an explosion of growth in this area. A perfect example is Sony. They showed a $1000 receiver that includes an HDMI switcher, ethernet router and comes with a do-it-yourself Control4 system built in. They have higher end equipment that has the same on-board control technology, but is designed to have the programming custom-tweeked by an outside expert. Add to that the large number of inexpensive apps to turn tablet devices into controllers, and you have a truly exciting area of the A/V market that the public is now finding is within their budget.

AMX took an interesting approach. They have bundled their products into five packages to make it easier for the customer to understand. Rather than look at individual parts, they want you to think of: Distributed Audio; Media Room; Essential Home Control; Whole Home Control; and Energy Management. They believe this will make it easier for the end user to become comfortable with Home Automation concepts and drive acceptance of the technology.

Crestron focused on introducing new products for both the contractor and the end user. Their new Home Designer software promises to make designing a full home system faster, easier and more cost effective. Their new full line of shades eliminates the need to communicate with third party systems. Reacting to the wide use of iphone, Creston introduced Airconnect and Airplay Support, Airconnect uses Near Field Connection technology to activate personal setting in the home based on the nearness of an iPhone. Airplay Support uses the Sonnex system to allow the user to easily stream music from any iPad, iPhone or Mac computer without switching audio sources. Music can be played in any room in the house without ever using a separate touch panel. Add the new Crestron ultra thin tablet-style controllers, and you see a company committing to Home Automation as the core of its business.

Light Rejecting Screens: One more item, this one straight out of science fiction. When home owners automate, they often use this opportunity to upgrade their home theatre. Many would like a really large screen, but are chased away by the price of a 103” plasma. At CEDIA, companies like DNP, Vutec and Dalite were showing Light Rejecting Screens. As thin and light as a regular screen, this new technology allows you to keep the lights on without losing brightness or colour on the screen. It offers seven times the contrast and twice the brightness of a regular projection screen. The end result is that, combined with a modest projector, you can achieve the look of a giant plasma screen for about a tenth of the price.

One short blog can’t come close to telling you all the new items that are coming onto the market this year. Here at OneTouch Automation, we use our connections with the top manufacturers and constant training and education to make sure we offer you the latest and greatest in Integrated Home systems.

Every home owner is concerned about the value of their house. While one real estate market or another may heat up, wise owners know that you need to look for the things that will add permanent value to the home when it comes time to sell.  Most people now know about some of the obvious value-added features. Kitchens and bathrooms raise the value of a house, while in-ground swimming pools bring it down.

What about Home Automation? While it’s fairly new in the real estate market, there are many professionals suggesting that a well designed and professionally installed home automation system can help your house to sell for a higher price. According to the Consumer Electronics Association and the National Association of Home Builders, a home automation system can increase the value of the home at resale by 3-5%.

Here’s why:

Many buyers are looking for energy efficient homes. With intelligent control of lighting, heating and shade, home automation is a champion at saving energy. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that every dollar you save annually in energy adds $20.73 to the value of the house.

Buyers want an uncluttered house: One of the beauties of home automation is that it takes things you use every day and puts them out of sight. A whole-home audio system means you get music or TV sound in any room on the house with the speakers hidden in the ceiling. Remote controls vanish. Touch screens can even be discreetly wall mounted so they use no counter space at all. DVD players, cable TV connections and cables disappear. Everything looks cleaner.

There is a new awareness of personal security: Homeowners are taking more ownership of their own security. If your house isn’t in a gated community, (or even if it is), you want to make sure you protect your family, and also protect the precious personal items in your home that could be stolen. Home automation is an obvious way to enhance this important part of our lives.

Dramatic lighting: When homes are being dressed for sale, the dressers will often bring in new lights to try and make the home look more appealing. A home that has been professionally automated already has that covered. With dimmable energy efficient lighting, both direct and indirect, an automated home shows well.

“Cool” Factor: A lot of homes are very similar – same size, same features. What puts your home ahead in the minds of potential buyers? According to the website AVS Forum, some realty ads for high end homes are now leading with the home automation system. It is all about “curb appeal” – that something extra that makes the potential buyer say “Yes, this is the one.”

There are some things you need to be aware of if Home Automation technology is going to add value to the house.

The job has to be done right. Just as home handyman carpentry will lower the value of your house, so will a poorly installed automation system. The technology has to be major brands, not no-name products. Educated home buyers are starting to recognize brand names like Crestron, AMX and Lutron, and they know these brands will give years of trouble-free service.

The system has to be easy to use. You need a professional elegant design and rock-solid programming, the kind that comes from an experienced pro. It also means you have to train your real estate agent in how to show and operate the system. That way, prospective buyers can appreciate the ease of use and lifestyle advantages that come from this technology.

The system has to be well documented. This is huge, but many homeowners overlook it. If everything’s labelled clearly, there are as-built drawings, and operation manuals, it will greatly increase the appeal to a potential buyer, because it should be a lot easier to a) figure out how it all works, and b) get it serviced, should the need arise. That’s why you should work from day one with an experienced home automation professional that can supply you with this kind of documentation and support.

If you’ve been trying to decide whether it’s time to automate your home, it’s great to know that you can have all the benefits of this technology and also know that your house may one day sell faster and at a higher price because of the investment you made.

If you watch TV commercials for Home Depot, they will tell you can do most projects in your home easily. All you need is a little advice and the right tools. Does this apply to home automation? There are several web sites out there now that want to sell you home automation kits. They will tell you it has “everything you need” to start wiring up and controlling your house. They all use words like “easy” and “simple.” Are they?

First, we should look at what we mean by home automation. Because there is no legal definition of the term, there are some companies that will sell you a kit that will allow you to dim a few lights, turn the heat down during the day and turn the lawn sprinkler on and off. In many cases, you are left with a small button or keypad to operate those functions, which isn’t a lot more convenient that the switches you have now. On the other hand, you may be buying a very complicated system that can turn into a nightmare and end up requiring professional help to bail you out. That can get expensive,

So, can you DIY a home automation system? The answer is yes and no. Maybe you have an exceptional skill set and want to give it try, but you should be aware of what you need to know. Let’s look at some of the skills you would need to automate your own home.

Product knowledge: Are you aware of the many different systems that are on the market, and what the problems and benefits are? For example, you may be offered a very inexpensive X-10 kit. You would need to know that this is not considered professional grade, does a poor job of giving you feedback on the status of devices and is no longer being developed. What about a UPB system? Do you know the electrical challenges of this option, and its relative high cost? Or Insteon? It uses the wiring in your house, but it assumes that every switchbox has a neutral ground. That usually isn’t the case in older homes. Are you qualified to figure that out? And those systems are just for simple functions. Are you up to date on the latest true high-end systems from Creston, AMX and Lutron – the companies that are on the leading edge of home automation? If you are planning on anything more than a few lights and a sprinkler, that’s the kind of equipment you’ll need, or you may be throwing money away on a low quality dead-end system.

If you feel uncomfortable with choosing the right products, you need the services of a home automation professional.

Electrical skills: Home automation almost always requires changes to electrical systems. As noted above, grounding becomes important. Lighting may have to replaced to be compatible with dimming, or dimmers may have to replaced to work with automation. In many jurisdictions, you are required to use a licensed electrical contractor to do this kind of work. Did you consider that in the do-it-yourself budget? Do you know an electrical contractor that is familiar with home automation, or will he learning about it on your time and money?

If you have any concerns about the electrical part of the job, you need the expertise of a home automation professional. They have the skill, experience and personnel to take care of this part of the job quickly and more importantly, safely.

Wiring: What do you know about wiring? How are your cable-pulling skills? Are you prepared to knock holes in your drywall and feed cables through your house? Here’s a simple way to tell if you should be handling wiring. Is the black wire the power or the ground wire? The answer is both. It could be the live wire in A/C and the ground in D/C. If you didn’t know that, you really need a home automation professional to wire your house.

Connecting to the outside world: How are your computer skills? A home automation system will probably interface with cable TV, the internet, satellite radio, your iphone and many other sources. If you aren’t tech savvy on all these devices, use a pro.

Audio: Unless you are an enthusiastic audiophile, you will find this one of the most difficult skills. How many speakers, where, how powerful an amplifier, how many zones – all questions best left to the pro’s. We do not recommend anyone trying this at home.

Service and support: Is it important to you to have a satisfaction guarantee and long term support? The on-line company that sells you a home automation kit will not support your installation. If you install it on your own, you’re also on your own when it doesn’t work. If after-installation support is important to you, you’ll only get that from a home automation professional.

In short, if you have exceptional handyman skills and are looking for a fun project, you may try automating a few lights in your house. If you are looking at a well supported future proof system that controls your home reliably and communicates seamlessly with the outside world, invest your money in a professionally designed and installed home automation solution. OneTouch Automation is ready, willing and able to help.