We love home automation and the way it makes our lives easier. Smart homes are undoubtedly the trend du jour, but once you have a completed system installed, it can be tough to wrap your head around some of the best uses for automation. Automating is an entirely new concept for most people. So I usually tell clients to start by making a list of routines around the house that are repetitive and you find yourself doing over and over.
For example, If you’re always making the rounds turning out the lights on the way out the door, that can be a great chance to put your home control system to work.
While we can’t automate loading the dishes in the dishwasher yet, there are plenty of instances where your smart home can save you time.
Here are five Home Automation Ideas toget you started.
#1 – Welcome Home
Trigger: The garage door opening, your individual presence is detected by your phone or Apple Watch.
What happens: That’s entirely up to you, but our welcome home goes something like this. Dim the main hallway lights to 50% with warm light, start my “Chill” playlist on Spotify, and turn on the local news, (but only with captions) and lastly, drop the temperature on the thermostat 2 degrees.
Why?: Yes, we know having your four-legged friend attack you at the door is the ultimate, but who doesn’t want to get a jump on settling in for the evening? Instead of walking around doing your evening routine, let your home control system take care of everything. Some people have vastly more exotic sequences, so more or less is entirely up to you!
Just pay attention to what you do when you get home, and ask your integrator to “make that happen”.
#2 – The Effortless Exit
Trigger: All occupants leave the house or pressing an “away” button
What happens: All the lights in your home turn off, the security system is armed, and your home goes into “eco mode”
Why?: We mentioned this earlier, but this automation can pretty much save any one time, particularly in a larger home. If you’re a parent, we don’t have to explain any further. This scene can be as simple as having a push-button marked “away” or automatically triggered after an allotted time with no motion detected.
#3 – Popcorn Time
Trigger: A button on your universal remote or touch panel.
What happens: Motorized Shades begin to lower in unison surrounding the living room, the projector and screen lower from the ceiling, the surround sound system goes into movie mode, Netflix pops up on the screen, and the room lights dim to 10%.
Why?: Talk about having a huge impact! With the press of a single button, you’ve effortlessly transformed your living room from an elegant conversational space into a big-screen home cinema. When the movie’s over, press the button again and kick back into social hour.
#4 – Scheduled Scenes
This one doesn’t really fall into the category of a particular “program” but it’s the most universal use case for home control. Set a morning and evening mode for your home.
You can automate the temperature, and trigger certain lighting events based solely on the schedule. This is a great way to make your home evolve and change as the day progresses. Scheduling lighting can even be good for your health.
Perhaps between the hours of midnight and 5AM you only want your lights to turn on at 50% power.
#5 – In case of emergency
Trigger: If a fire alarm is detected
What Happens: all lights fade up to 25%, any audio that’s playing is muted, ceiling fans and ventilation are immediately turned off.
Why?: If a fire is detected in the middle of the night, not fumbling around looking for light switches could save you a lot of time. If the fire is severe, that time could even save your life. We shut off all sounds to make sure everyone can hear the alarm. Turning off the ventilation system in the event of fire helps prevent the flames’ spread and limits the smoke’s ability to travel to other parts of the home. Safety first!
At Audilux we specialize home control & automation by Elan. If you’d like to find out more about the difference between a DIY system and a professionally installed system, start with our blog post “From DIY to Dealer”!
Editors Note: If you're entirely new to home theaters and AV or are trying to gain a basic knowledge of technology in new construction as a homeowner, I would suggest you start your journey with our New Home Technology Guide. It's more of a bird's eye view of what's possible and serves as a great primer on the topic.
Now that you’ve been warned brace yourself for a deep dive into the how. If you’re planning to DIY the wiring of your project, or you want to be very well versed when communicating with your installer you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get started unpacking the process of designing and wiring your smart home from end to end!
The importance of Design:
During the planning stages, anything is possible. As long as you take it into account during this phase, you can integrate a vast number of systems. Of course, it can vary from project to project, but we usually start with the following outline:
Potential sub-systems
Lighting
Audio
Video
HVAC (Heating & Cooling)
Security & Sensors
Cameras & Surveillance
Water & Aquatics
Home Control & Interfaces
Take an inventory of what will and will not apply to your home. For example, if you don’t have a pool or sprinkler system, “Water & Aquatics” can be struck from the list. Next, let’s hash things out a little further. Split each category into detailed subcategories. Here’s an example of the expanded list.
Detailed SubSystem List:
Lighting
Line voltage lighting
Low Voltage lighting
RGBW Lighting Strips
Step Lights
Accent Lights
Outdoor & Landscape Lighting
Floodlights
Path lights
Step Lights
Bollards
Security Lights
Spot Lights
Motorized Window Treatments
Motorized Shades
Motorized Draperies
Audio
Whole-Home Audio (Distributed Audio)
Home Theater
Architectural Speakers
In-Wall Speakers
In-Ceiling Speakers
Free Standing / Furniture Speakers
Soundbars
Subwoofers
Outdoor Audio
In-Ceiling Speakers
On Wall Speakers
Landscape Speakers
Point Source
Bollard
Subwoofers
External Audio Sources
BluRay / DVD
Turntables / Vinyl
Heating & Cooling (HVAC)
Air Conditioner / Heater
ERV or HRV
Dehumidifier or Humidifier
Ceiling Fans
Security System & Sensors
Security wiring panel
Sensors
Motion Sensors
Occupancy Sensors
Glass-Break Sensors
Leak Detection Sensors
Door & Window Sensors
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Water & Aquatics
Pool Control
Spa Control
Irrigation System
Sprinkler System
Drip Irrigation
Water Features
Home Control System
System Controller
Interfaces
Scene Remotes
Touch Panels
Buttons & Keypads
Remote Controls
Access Controls
Smart Door Locks
Garage Door Control
Network & Wifi
Point of Demarkation (Entry to the Home)
Wifi Access Points
Other Data Cabling
You’ll need to create a symbol or marking to delineate each type of device.
Placing your AV Rack and Low-Voltage Panel
You need to consider two critical pieces of equipment when beginning to lay out your wiring plan. The first location is for your equipment rack; the second is for the low-voltage panel or “Smart Panel.”
The rack will hold all of the home’s central nervous system, including patch bays, network switches, audio amplifiers, video distribution equipment, network routers, and your automation system controller. If you decide to centralize your entire home altogether, you might also have cable boxes, satellite receivers, and even more.
The low voltage panel is installed directly into the wall. We find it most useful for housing the coaxial system and all camera-related wiring. Separating the surveillance elements from the rest of the rack enables you to lock the panel up securely. Hence, things keep functioning even if someone attempts tampering with the equipment rack.
Obstacles
When deciding where to place your rack, first and foremost find a location with enough room to accommodate the equipment and plenty of room to work. As much as it might seem like a waste of space, your equipment needs to be located in a conditioned area. Heat is the number one enemy of electronics, so choose a location that’s well ventilated.
You’re also going to have to avoid any major structural members since drilling through them could compromise the integrity of your building. Start your search on an interior wall or under a staircase.
How to make a smart plan for technology in your new home.
Table of Contents
You’re finally building your dream home. You’ve hired an architect, and you’re shopping around for the perfect builder. You may not know it yet, but this is the ideal time to involve a home technology integrator.
What exactly is an integrator? An integrator is the designer and installer of your home’s technology backbone. Their primary mission is to create audio and video experiences like music throughout the house, TV installations, and home theater. An integrator brings together all of the separate systems in your home like lighting, HVAC, and security, and makes them more manageable by providing one cohesive control system.
While smaller spaces can be easily managed with off-the-shelf solutions like Apple HomeKit or SmartThings, it’s usually a huge benefit to call in an expert as the home’s size grows.
It’s important to talk through your options early on because, while you can retrofit some things after the house has been completed, it’s dramatically less expensive to pre-wire your home during construction.
IF THERE’S EVEN THE SLIGHTEST CHANCE YOU MIGHT WANT SOMETHING IN THE FUTURE, RUN THE WIRE DURING CONSTRUCTION!
LASTLY, WHILE IT MAY BE TEMPTING, DON’T RELY ENTIRELY ON WIRELESS.
Wi-Fi has come a long way, but if you have the opportunity to pre-wire for any device, like a computer or TV, you should do so. This forward-thinking frees up your wireless network to provide the best service for devices that move around throughout the home (phones, tablets, etc.) and gives you a little bit of a backup plan if you need to add something later on that can’t be hardwired.
WHOLE-HOME AUDIO
One of the biggest trends in building today is the use of a whole-home audio system. If you’ve ever wanted to have music playing throughout your home (without deafening anyone who dares to walk in the living room), then this is the solution for you.
Some of the more popular brands you’ll probably run into are Sonos & BlueSound, but you may occasionally see others. Speakers are installed in ceilings and walls, but soundbars and freestanding speakers can also be integrated. You can stream music from the provider of your choice or even listen to vinyl from your turntable.
Once these speakers are in place, it doesn’t just stop at music. With a bit of further design, you can use these speakers to carry sound from your TV, broadcast the doorbell, or even function as an intercom.
THINK IT THROUGH:
Not every space needs the same quality of sound. Work with your designer and figure out the places where quality counts. Come up with a Good, Better, Best strategy.
This method lets you focus your investment on areas where you’ll be congregating, like a kitchen or living room, but allows you to use more economical options in transient spaces like hallways or bathrooms
TYPES OF SPEAKERS:
Let’s take a moment to make sure you have a clear understanding of the different types of speakers that are available. For purposes of discussing your new home, we can break those down into three main categories.
IN-CEILING & IN-WALL
In-Ceiling or In-Wall speakers are exactly as their names describe, but you’ll sometimes see them called “Architectural Speakers.” They’re speakers that are tucked away into your wall or ceiling and can provide rich sound without eating up floor space or providing an easy target for a Sharpie-wielding toddler or teething chihuahua. When people think of speakers in a smart home today, these are what come to mind.
In-Ceiling is a perfect solution when you’re looking for “heard and not seen.”
One caveat to be aware of: depending on the particular speakers you’ve selected, they can sometimes be lacking in bass response, but the addition of a subwoofer can quickly remedy this.
TIPS & TRICKS:
Specify in-ceiling speakers with a “rough-in” bracket that acts as a template for your drywall crew. This bracket allows you to line up speakers with other elements on the ceiling, like recessed lights or other points of interest. These brackets are cut out as your drywall is installed, leaving a perfect hole and no mess in your home later on.
Are you concerned about sound from speakers in one room bleeding into the room behind it or the floor above? Install a back box. A back box is an enclosure that installs behind your speaker and blocks the sound from traveling into adjacent rooms; it also provides a slight boost in audio quality.
SOUNDBARS:
Everyone knows the built-in sound from your TV leaves much to be desired. You can only expect so much from a pair of tiny speakers shooting backward into your wall. That’s where Soundbars come in. They provide a simple upgrade from your TV’s internal speakers without much of the fuss of larger speakers.
Due to their compact size, they can’t match the performance of in-wall or freestanding speakers, but they’re a great starting point and perfect for spaces like bedrooms or an office.
FREE STANDING / FURNITURE PIECES:
While they’re no longer as common as their in-wall brethren, sometimes freestanding speakers are a perfect choice. Since the enclosure the speakers live in can be engineered for performance, freestanding speakers are the pinnacle of audio quality. They don’t have to be ugly either; speakers from brands like Focal or KEF are available in a wide range of finishes and can genuinely give your interior designer something unique to work with.
I like to think of some of these high-design pieces as furniture and not just a source of sound. There’s no better way to say “listening room” than a bold pair of speakers commanding your attention. The downside to freestanding speakers is they do eat up floor space, but sometimes quality is worth the compromise.
SUBWOOFERS: ‘CAUSE YOU’RE ALL ABOUT THAT BASS:
One final speaker serves as a faithful companion to all three types we’ve listed above. Subwoofers reproduce low frequencies and bass in a way that most normal speakers aren’t able to. Subs are the secret sauce that makes you FEEL the music. It takes a substantial speaker to create that energy, so most subwoofers clock in between ten and sixteen inches in diameter.
A subwoofer is an absolute must for a home theater, but you should also consider using them in entertaining spaces or living rooms.
HOME THEATER
So what exactly is a home theater? A home theater can be any space that offers a few key ingredients. The size and appearance can vary, but they always employ some kind of multi-speaker surround sound system and a high-quality display. The main idea is to bring some of the magic and allure of a commercial movie theater right into the comfort of your own home.
WHAT TYPE OF DISPLAY IS BEST FOR YOU?
There are two primary display technologies available today; Flat-panel TVs (LCD & OLED) and Projection systems.
The first thing to decide is what size screen is appropriate for your space. When a screen is too small, you won’t be drawn into the action or might find yourself squinting. Conversely, if a screen is too large, it will overwhelm the space and cause you to tilt your neck to take in the entire scene.
A RULE OF THUMB:
WE RECOMMEND THE FOLLOWING SCREEN SIZES BASED ON THE ROOM TYPE:
Bedrooms: 55″
Home Offices, Living Rooms, Great Rooms : 55″-77″
Media Rooms & Custom Theaters: 82″ – INFINITY! (Seriously!)
Additional Resources:
If you want to make sure you get things right, use a screen-size calculator from THX or SMPTE. Input the distance between your seating position and the screen. The calculator will suggest the perfect screen size for your room.
When you sit straight in front of a screen, this is called on-axis viewing. Most displays perform their best when viewed on-axis, but as you move to the left or right of center (off-axis), some types of TVs are prone to washing out and losing contrast. If a wide viewing angle is required, consider a TV based on OLED technology. It might cost a little bit more, but in the end, you (and all your guests) will be much happier with the experience.
A wide viewing angle can be one of the primary differences between a cheap TV from a big box store and the available higher-end models. Sure, it’s great to save a couple of bucks if you can, but that doesn’t matter if it isn’t usable in your space.
WILL IT PLAY NICE WITH OTHERS?
An essential but often overlooked piece of the puzzle when selecting a display has nothing to do with picture quality, screen size, or aesthetics. To integrate with most home control systems, a TV has to support network control.
If you select any mid-range or higher models from Sony or Samsung, you should be safe, but picking a TCL or Vizio could leave you banging your head against the wall.
FLAT PANEL OR PROJECTOR?
Once you’ve settled on the appropriate screen size, let’s look at which technology might be the best fit. Believe it or not, it’s a pretty easy decision!
If you need a screen larger than 85 inches, you’re going to need a projector. For any application smaller than 85 inches, keep things simple and stick to a flat panel.
PROJECTORS : THE REALLY BIG SCREEN
Projection setups have one huge advantage compared to flat-panel TVs, and that is the ability to accommodate enormous screen sizes. Nothing else can even come close to their ability to put you right in the middle of the action. When you’re looking for the wow factor, a projector delivers!
But, there are a few factors that come with the territory…
The most significant enemy to any projection setup is ambient light. When stray light from the outdoors hits your screen, it causes it to lose contrast and punch but fortunately, there are a few creative solutions that can help mitigate the problem.
The first line of defense is to address the source of the light itself. You can pair a home control system with motorized shades and automated lighting control. With a single press of a button, you can turn on the projector, dim the lights in your room, lower the shades and start your movie.
Companies likeScreen Innovations have worked miracles to solve these kinds of problems with new screen materials like “Slate” or “Black Diamond .” These screens brilliantly display the image coming from your projector while rejecting most of the ambient light in the room.
But wait, that’s not all!
Have you ever wondered where all the bulky speakers are hiding in a movie theater? If you’ve taken in a showing at the IMAX, you’ve probably seen the demo where they illuminate the screen from behind to reveal the colossal stacks of speakers hiding behind the screen.
When you use what’s called an “Acoustically Transparent” or AT screen, you can benefit from the same thing at home. An AT screen has thousands of tiny perforations that allow sound to pass through unencumbered while visually hiding anything concealed behind it.
This is a perfect option for people who want big-league sound without seeing where it is coming from.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO DREAM BIG
Almost anything is possible with projection.
You can hide motorized screens in ceilings or drop one down in front of a smaller TV for casual use!
A CLOSER LOOK: SURROUND SOUND FOR HOME THEATER
If you want to get more information on the basics of Surround Sound check out our blog post “Surround Sound Basics” here!
MOTORIZED SHADES & CURTAINS
If you ever wished that one day you could press a button and completely transform the feeling of a room, the future is here, and such technology is no longer just reserved for the likes of Tony Stark, James Bond, or Richard Branson.
Motorized shades serve multiple purposes like controlling the amount of light inside the room, helping control solar heat gain, and offering privacy on demand.
MATERIAL TYPES
There are three primary categories of shade materials. “solar screen” fabrics allow a specific amount of light to pass through while offering a screened look. You’ll usually see them written as with a percentage value, representing the amount of light that is allowed to pass through the material.
“Blackout” fabrics, while entirely opaque, offer the most significant amount of privacy and temperature control.
TIPS & TRICKS FOR MOTORIZED SHADES:
When selecting a light filtering fabric, choose darker colors for enhanced viewability and lighter colors to help maximize heat reduction.
AS ALWAYS, IT PAYS TO PREWIRE.
In a remodel situation, installations are usually limited to using lithium batteries that require an annual recharge. When planning for new construction, be sure to specify a prewire to make your shades virtually maintenance-free.
Lighting Control & Automation
Lighting control is also one of those most natural and valuable ways to automate your home. Each bank of lights can be assigned to scenes or schedules., and you can even make walking around the house on the way out the door a thing of the past.
You have three options to consider when it comes to controlling the lighting.
#1 – Smart Dimmers or Switches
The traditional way is to install “smart” dimmers throughout the home. Each light or “Load” is wired directly to a dimmer switch in each room. This can save on wire costs for your electrician, but in larger homes that have multiple switches for each space, it can certainly get ugly. The advantage of this method is cost. Depending on which platform you use, like Lutron RA or Z-Wave, you could only be looking at a premium of $50-$100 per dimmer location.
#2 – Wi-Fi Bulbs
The second option is the use of wi-fi bulbs. With an app on your phone or tablet, the lights can be programmed with different flash patterns and color schemes if you’re feeling adventurous.
There are a few negatives to opting for individual smart bulbs, one being their significant price premium. Also, if you choose bulbs using wi-fi technology, they’re notorious for slowing down wi-fi traffic and crowding your network.
#3 – Panelized Lighting
The last type of lighting control is the most intensive but also has a few very distinct benefits.
Panelized lighting is the gold standard in custom lighting control.
In a typical home, light switches are installed directly in each room, and the individual fixtures or loads connect directly to them. This traditional approach is simple and does offer savings on wiring costs.
When you make use of panelized lighting, all switches and dimmers are located in a central panel (usually in your home’s mechanical room) and then remotely controlled.
This configuration does require a little more wire and planning, but the payoff is enormous. For example, you can have six loads controlled in the space, typically used for only one, or eliminate mechanical switches and centralize control on a touch panel.
We’ve talked about some of the things you can do with technology in your new home, but what’s the best way to bring everything together and make it a functional and useful part of your everyday life? The use of a home control system makes integrating all of the various technology in your house user-friendly and effortless.
You’ve probably heard of some of the DIY brands in the space like SmartThings, or Apple Home Kit. On the professional side, some of the bigger players are Control 4, Savant, Crestron, and Elan. When you’re working with a smaller home or just a few devices, sometimes the big box brands are completely adequate.
If you’re controlling every aspect of your home or just have a lot of technology, you’re much better off with a professionally installed solution.
At Audilux, we’ve standardized all of our installations around Elan. We think it’s the very best option on the market for custom homes and provides a great balance of elegance and value.
One of the biggest differences between a custom system and DIY alternatives is that all of the processing is done right inside your home rather than sent off to the internet. This is called “Local Control” and it offers a huge advantage in both security and performance. Imagine asking a question from across the room rather than being forced to walk ten miles just to get an answer; I think we’d all choose the simpler option.
This also means that in the event your internet connection is down, everything continues to function normally. This is not true of store-bought solutions.
There is a lot more than just good technology going into the images of theaters you see on Pinterest or in Magazines. It takes a lot of work from talented interior designers coordinating with your general contractor and your technology professional to achieve those kinds of results.
If you have something in mind, bring it up early so everyone who needs to be involved can do their part to make your dream come to fruition!
F.A.Q.
What’s a realistic Budget for technology in my home?
You can use our budget calculator to get a rough idea of how to plan for the cost of technology in your home. Just input you’re home’s square footage and answer a few simple questions.
How do I choose the right Technology company for my new build?
The technology in your home is something you’re going to interact with every day, and finding the right team to partner with is a big decision. First, realize that not all companies are created equal, and the expected service level can vary greatly. Look for companies that are certified by the Home Technology Association.
Less than 10% of integrators make the cut, and you can trust that anyone certified has been through a rigorous vetting process. If you’re in Nashville or Middle TN, we’d love to work with you with you on your project.
Taking control of your home’s lighting systems is a great way to provide both security and convenience for your home. Automation can set the mood, enhance safety, make things accessible for those with disabilities, and more!
Automating your lights also gives you effortless control of when they’re on and off for example, during peak energy hours, you could have them turn on at dusk or dim during the brightest parts of the day. In my home, we automate the step lights installed for our stairs. In practice, they fade on at sunset and turn off thirty minutes before sunrise. It offers great peace of mind with young children walking around in the middle of the night.
These are a few reasons why you might want to automate your lighting, but what’s the best way to make that happen for your home? There are several types of automated lighting systems available on the market today. Which one is right for you?
When you are planning and pre-wiring your new smart home, you have the most choices available to you. Automation can be included in lighting fixtures, light switches, smart bulbs, and even panelized lighting systems.
This article will serve as an essential guide to help you start the conversation with your home technology integrator about which lighting control system might be right for you.
THE THREE TYPES OF LIGHTING SYSTEMS:
1. SMART BULBS
Back in 2013, Philips introduced a product line that changed the game in intelligent lighting forever. They called it “Hue,” and with its release, your lights weren’t stuck being a shade of white; if you could dream up a color, Hue was happy to set the mood.
Philips’s Hue system is a good starter for those who want to dip their toes into the world of automated home lighting.
The lights are controlled via an app on your phone or tablet, and can be programmed with different flash patterns and color schemes to make it feel like Christmas all year long; they also work great when synced to your TV.
Hue is still the dominant force in the consumer and DIY lighting space, but plenty of more affordable alternatives are now available.
There are a few negatives to opting for individual smart bulbs, one being their significant price premium. Also, if you choose bulbs using wi-fi technology, they’re notorious for slowing down wi-fi traffic and crowding your network.
Our take: If you’re going to DIY, stick to Hue or LIFX branded fixtures. Between the consumer systems available, they perform the best, have the most significant app support, and seem to be more reliable than other brands.
2. DIMMERS & SWITCHES
Z-Wave or Zigbee dimmers can be an economic middle ground. They offer all the core functionality necessary for automation but can suffer from lag as the system grows. So as your device count starts to climb higher than 25 dimmers or switches, It’s usually best to start looking at more robust offerings fromLutron, Vantage, or Ketra.
One of the significant advantages of these types of dimmers is they work using standard light bulbs. So you’re only paying for technology in one dimmer and not in every bulb. But, of course, you also miss out on color options and some of the more novel features of smart bulbs.
3. PANELIZED LIGHTING
The last type of lighting control is the most intensive but also has a few very distinct benefits.
Panelized lighting is the gold standard in custom lighting control.
In a typical home, light switches are installed directly in each room, and the individual fixtures or loads connect directly to them. This traditional approach is simple and does offer savings on wiring costs.
When a panelized lighting system is employed, all switches and dimmers are located in a central panel (usually in your home’s mechanical room) and then remotely controlled.
This configuration does require a little more wire and planning, but the payoff is huge.
Panelized lighting offers the unique opportunity to automate your entire home and significantly reduce the number of switches on the wall. While this may sound like a trivial upgrade, in a large estate with complex lighting layouts, moving from a bank of twelve light switches on a wall to only one or two has a substantial impact on design and aesthetics.
If you want to take it a step further, you can forgo the physical switches altogether and control the lights along with the rest of your home’s systems from a single touch panel in each room. In addition, lights can be grouped for easy control, offering the pinnacle of clean design and convenience.
COLOR RENDERING INDEX
When you’re trying to gauge the quality of a light source while shopping, the easiest way is to look for a metric called the “Color Rendering Index,” or CRI for short, this number refers to a light’s ability to display a full range of colors accurately. Look for bulbs or fixtures with a CRI of at least 90. A high CRI is not only better for the brain but also goes a long way towards making people look their best in photos or videos.
Human-Centric Lighting can improve your health & wellness.
Human-centric lighting or HCL is a splashy term used to describe lighting that complements the human body’s natural circadian rhythms. In 2021, a modern human now spends over 80% of their time indoors and under artificial light.
Before the invention of the light bulb, routines were largely dictated by the availability of natural light. The rise of the sun signaled to the brain it was time for work. This bright white light naturally had an energizing effect on the human body. Conversely, the warm orange light of the sunset signaled an end to activities for the day.
HCL seeks to replicate that naturally occurring change using tunable LED lights. It accomplishes this goal by matching color temperature indoors to be similar to the light from the sun outdoors.
WHAT IS COLOR TEMPERATURE?
At its simplest form, color temperature refers to the frequency at which light is emitted. It’s expressed as a value in “Kelvin” or “K” for short. You’ve probably noticed some light bulbs cast a bright blue light, while others, like candlelight, have a soft orange hue. Generally speaking, 5600K is considered to be “daylight” balanced lighting while 2700K is Warm White or Tungsten.
HUMAN-CENTRIC LIGHTING IS NOT JUST ABOUT IMPROVING OUR CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS, HOWEVER; IT ALSO BENEFITS YOUR PRODUCTIVITY.
The NIH conducted a study in 2012 which verified the positive effects of higher color temperature on both alertness and individual performance. HCL assists our bodies by naturally aligning with sunlight during the day, thus helping us get more sleep at night.
If you’re looking for lighting control or home automation in the Nashville, TN area, please don’t hesitate to REACH OUT. We’d love to help!
Want to find out more about Home Technology for your new home?
Over a number of years, lured by the magic of “DIY” technology, I tried nearly every DIY system: SmartThings, Wink, Hubitat, OpenHAB, Home Assistant, Home Kit and probably a few I’m forgetting. I would spend days configuring lights, TVs, and speakers, and just when it came time to show things off for my family, something would break.
I would fix it, and then it would break again. We’d “upgrade” to another system, rinse and repeat.
This led me to one very simple realization: Home automation that’s not reliable is just not worth having.
The Importance of Local Control.
Another thing that’s not quite right is the delay you experience with most DIY systems. You flip a switch, wait five or six seconds, and THEN your light finally turns on.
In an effort to keep costs down, commands are sent out to the internet for processing, which creates a delay and unbeknownst to you keeps most of your system from functioning if you ever lose your internet connection.
No Bueno.
DIY Means a Seperate App for Everything
Finally, that brings me to the greatest DIY rub of all, nothing is centralized. Yes, you CAN control everything with apps, glorious apps, but the problem is you end up with fifteen of them, none of which bother to talk to each other.
If you lose your cell phone, good luck controlling anything.
If you’re looking for a better way
At Audilux, we proudly design home automation systems with Elan. Here’s how things are radically different than DIY.
You’re not alone. Since Elan is only available through certified dealers, you’ll sit down with a pro and explain what you want to accomplish. We’ll build a solution that does everything you want and nothing that you don’t. Would you prefer not to give the kids access to security cameras? We can do that.
Do you want the lights to come on when you pull in the driveway way? Not a problem.
Everything you want is tied into one interface and ONE app, and almost everything is processed locally without ever leaving your home.
This is inherently more secure, and dramatically faster.
But there have to be cons….
Of course, there are always cons, but there are only two real negatives to a well-configured system from an integrator.
1. Cost – This may seem obvious, but if you place any value at all on your own time, this objection quickly starts to disappear.
2. You’ll need to call your dealer to make some changes, but after all, do you really want to have to mess with it anyway?
So how much does a custom system like Elan cost?
An entry-level Elan system to control something like a home theater starts at about $1500. Whole-home systems range in price depending on complexity and exactly what you want to control.
What Parts of my home can I control with Elan?
Lighting, Audio, Video, Security, Irrigation, Shades, Door Locks, Gates, and your Climate Control to name a few. With some careful planning to select the right products, almost anything can become a part of the system. One app to rule them all.
If you’re interested in taking the first step to finding out what a real smart home is like or looking for a certified Elan Dealer in Nashville, let’s talk. We’d love to hear about your project!