What Exactly is Home Automation and Why Do I Need It?

The term Home Automation conjures up for many people, images of George Jetson’s home.  Automatic showers, chefs and shaves may be still be in the future, but we are making progress!

What we can do today may not impress the Jetson’s, but it will probably amaze you and your family.  Imagine being able to control your home’s lighting, security, door locks, environmentals, music and video, or even survey your security cameras, from your IPhone or over the Internet from miles away.  How about using your IPOD as a universal remote for your TV, BluRay or cable box?

This is not only available today, but may already be installed in some of your neighbors or friends home’s.  Most new homes built today feature or more of these technologies.   Living in an existing home?  No problem.  Many of these features can be retrofitted to existing homes without tearing up walls, floors and ceilings by use of Zigbee “wireless” technology.

Audio Visions offers a complete line of home automation products from companies like Control-4 that make sophisticated home automation solutions practical and affordable for every home.  Control-4 products are capable of delivering a complete solution for the home because they integrate the control of lighting, audio, video and environmentals into a cohesive easy to use the system.

For many people, the simplicity and ease of use of a single integrated remote control for the home theater is worth the price of admission.  We can set the system up to start your satellite, BluRay or other playback with the tough of a single button of a lighted remote or touch pad.  No more fumbling in the dark for multiple remotes.

These systems are installed using a combination of wired or wireless “controllers” that direct instructions to various devices in your home according to custom codes loaded by our Installers.  The devices include light switches, door locks, thermostats, audio or video devices and more.

So, why do you need this?

First, once you experience the convenience of managing your home entertainment from an integrated remote control, it is difficult to go back to the “old way”.  Remember getting up from the chair to “change the channels”?  Its kind of like that once you have used a Control 4 system a while.

Second, the comfort of being able to secure your home and protect your family and property gives you great peace of mind in a turbulent world.  If you travel, work late or are frequently away from your home, and who isn’t , being able to check on the home or ensure your systems are armed and ready is as they say, “priceless”.

Also, control of your home environmentals; heating, cooling, lighting, can actually have a “green” effect and help you optimize the use of energy in your home.  So if this is important to you, consider the benefits a Control 4 system can offer.

Also important is the fact that these features can be added to new or existing homes, and the cost of these systems is within most people’s budget.  They have a very positive effect on resale values as well.  So, you might consider it an investment; in your family’s safety, well being and also an investment which can be a heck of a lot of fun at the same time.

Stop in to see what the future can look like in your home today.