Popular Trends in Home Technology
As a former home automation installer and a former manufactures rep, I have
observed many trends. The following items are certainly the hotest trends this year
in home technology. VoIP (pronounced Voice over IP) refers to making telephone calls using
your high-speed internet connection. This technology is gaining ground very fast,
as new users are discovering it is 50-75% cheaper the comparable standard
telephone service and congress is standing behind the technology for now, no
taxes or legislation to mess it up ? yet... The a catch? Several more variables in
losing your dial tone: Power outages, internet downtime, and equipment failures
are just a few problems you may encounter using VoIP. Also, If you are dropping
the standard phone line, and you have a security system you will need a cellular or
radio back up for safety reasons. Retrofit home theaters. With the cost of movie tickets approaching $10, it
makes it quite expensive for families to enjoy movies and snacks at the theater.
There are new techniques and processes to install a home theater in your existing
home. Many of the processes are for noise reduction, so you don't have harmonic
vibrations in the home, or annoy your neighbors. Living in a townhouse, row house,
or other multiplex homes, you can now "pump up the volume" with bothering
others! Security Cameras. Many cities now require visual verification prior to
dispatching emergency services. Approximately 9 out of 10 alarms are false.
Cameras in the home can quickly verify that the alarm is actually triggered by a
burglary. In addition, many new parents are now installing cameras to check in on
their children while they are away to ensure safety. Home Offices. Today more and more people telecommute. The reasons
may very- but the fact is home offices are now becoming a necessity for many
homeowners. Proper planning can provide you with all the technology you need in
either a new home or a remodel. If you are ready to start thinking about your
custom workspace, keep the following in mind: your personal work style; essential
services such as Internet & telephone; and office needs such as printing, wireless
networks, file storage and audio distribution. Lighting Controls. Reliable lighting control used to be reserved for the
wealthy. The rest of us were reduced to live without lighting control or the
unreliable X-10 technology. In the last few years two new technologies arose. UPB
(Universal power line bus) and RF (Z-Wave). These new products have provided us
with more selection, more reliability, and the best part-they cost about the same
as the major branded X-10 products. Energy Savings. Recent energy cost have us all looking for ways to
reduce the utilities budget in the home. Home Automation is stepping up to the
plate. Home automation can manage the thermostat (typically the largest load in
the home) based on actual occupancy rather than when you think you will be home.
Lighting is the second largest load, home automation will turn off the extra lights
when they are not needed. Using motion sensing, occupancy sensing, and other
types of lighting controls, home automation can shut the lights off behind you! Did you enjoy this article? Receive other exclusive articles & stay on the cutting-
edge of home automation & technology! Join "The EDGE" today-it's free!
http://www.architechtronics.com/edge.html Brett Griffin is co-founder of Architechtronics, Inc. He has 12 years of experience in
the technology industry and strives to help builders, dealers, and homeowners "get
to know home automation & technology." Visit http://www.architechtronics.com for more
information. ©2005 Architechtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.
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