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Ever walk into a room and trip over something on the floor while tracing the wall with you fingertips looking for the switch? If your like most people today, this has happened to you more than once. Not only do we all struggle with those illusive light switches, but out of reach ceiling fans can be a pain to switch settings or turn on and off as well. There are many different solutions to these problems and a few handy household electrical gadgets that can make life so much easier.

Lighted or glowing switch plates and switches can make the locating those troublesome switches much less of a bother. Plates can glow by utilization of phosphorescent coatings that absorb light during the day and glow with a pale light in the dark that is easily seen. The switches themselves can be treated with the same phosphorescent coating. Although in many cases the switch itself is equipped with a bulb that automatically turns on when the switch is turned to the off position. This light stands out distinctly in the dark and makes finding the light switch more convenient.

For less obvious solutions to the run away light-switch problem, many people have turned to the use of remotes. These remotes can come in many forms and perform many handy functions. The simplest is a key fob remote, which can turn on your lights inside from a distance of up to 50 ft away and around corners in many cases. This gives a little added security by being able to actually turn on the lights inside the house from the outside. Other types of remotes can be set for more than one light or set of lights. These tend to take on the more traditional appearance of a remote and can vary in size. For example, a universal lighting and component remote can change the settings of your fan, turn on specific lights, and turn down the volume on your home electronics.

Before considering a particular remote for your home consider first, your particular needs. It can be frustrating to have a highly technical remote that would be able to control lighting, home entertainment components, open garage doors, and engage security systems if all that was needed as a simple remote to turn on the lights inside the house while carrying an armload of groceries to the kitchen. Likewise it can be discouraging to have a remote that performs only part of what you may need it to do.

Once you have an idea of what you may be in need of, consider your current lighting and component arrangement. While many lights will work wonderfully with a remote, many may not. Consult your electrician about any additional equipment that may be needed for the best suited remote set up. It may be necessary too, for you to invest in more than one remote. If there are multiple family members or more than one major entry point of your house, a second remote could be a very good idea.

Green Earth

Being able to control most of the aspects of your home remotely is not a new concept. There are many companies on the market that will allow you to control or automate your home’s electronics. You do not even have to be at home to do it. The downside to most of these systems is that they are very costly or are much more technology than you need for your home.

Home control with Z-Wave is a new twist on some old technology. It is designed to offer all of the same benefits of powerful, fully custom control system, but it offers each of them individually. This modular approach allows you to use Z-Wave to control any specific task around your home. You will be able to add more modules as time goes on.

As your needs grow so can your Z-Wave system. You can start by having Z-Wave control your home’s lights then add a module to open your garage door and another to control your home security system. Not only does Z-Wave offer comfort and convenience, it offers a sense of security and welcome to your home.

All of these things are possible with the push of a single button. All of them added cheaply and easily to your home. There is no need for additional wiring with Z-Wave. Inexpensive home control without the need for a near complete home remodel. Another benefit of Z-Wave is the energy savings that the precise control of lighting allows. Savings, inexpensive to buy, and easily installed. Three very good reasons to consider Z-Wave.

When planning out a remodeling or renovation project the design can be the most fun and sometimes one of the most frustrating aspects. Rarely is the initial designing taxing or irritating in any way. In fact selecting the finishes for your walls, floors, and surfaces can be an exciting game. But when it comes down to the actual installation improper preparation can thwart a gorgeous design into a hobbled version of itself. By carefully planning out any obstacles that may come up, including code requirements, product ratings, electrical and plumbing capacities, we can be more confident that the final product will closely resemble the original image we were hoping for.

Measure twice and cut once is a mantra heard echoing on any job site. The same can be said, with slight modification, to designing. Measure twice, design once. Proper measurements of the existing space and layout of all fixtures and lines is imperative in planning out a new space, particularly if the new space will not keep its original dimensions. Knowing precisely how the original was laid out down to a fraction of an inch, can help with properly laying out the new floor, electrical, plumbing, and in some cases structural plans. Note also in your original layout where the electrical and plumbing mains are in relation to the project area.

The placement of the mains can have a dramatic effect on the cost of a remodel. If your kitchen sink and dishwasher were at one end of the kitchen, directly above the main water lines to the water heater, it is going to cost more to move them to the opposite side of the kitchen than to reinstall them in a position close to the original location. Likewise, electrical feeds must be run for new appliances or lighting. Sometimes the projected scope of work calls for more than the capacity of the existing electrical panel can carry. If this is the case, a sub panel must be installed, this is no small matter. Is it becoming clear why planning and careful attention to detail must be paid while still in the designing phase?

Another issue to pay close attention to is your actual fixture and finish product selection. For instance if you are replacing an electric stove for a gas one, be sure to plan for running gas lines and the appropriate electrical to accommodate. Not all appliances can just be plugged in. Another example would be counter tops. Marble is beautiful and costly, thus making it a much desired and sought after surface. Be sure to ask about it’s rating and maintenance. Travertine has been sealed with a resin to make the surface of the marble less absorbent, while a natural quarry marble has not. The effects of both can be quite different, but one is prone to staining and needs sealing in order to preserve its beauty more so than the other. Speak with your supplier about ratings for any and all finishes you plan on using, and what to expect from them in your particular installation. This can head off extra work, expense, and headache down the road.

Be mindful as you prepare for your project and remember that proper planning will give you the best result which will closely mirror the image you have set for the final. While poor planning will often result in frustration and extra cost. Enjoy the game of designing your remodel or renovation from start to finish by heading off problems before they have a chance to become one.

In times of tightened economies, such as we are now experiencing, our budgets get smaller and our projects get put on hold or downsized. Sometimes, however, we are faced with a situation that demands our attention and become full fledged remodeling projects. But how to afford them becomes a real trouble for many of us. There are ways of keeping a project within budget and of controlling cost over runs.

Be sure to have more than one estimate done on your project before moving forward. No one person or company will be the end all, be all of remodeling projects. Besides, you must be comfortable and confident in their skills if this is going to be a successful working relationship. Write your questions down and be sure to ask all of them. There is no silly question and having all your concerns addressed up front and honestly is the best way to proceed. It will also be noted by the builder that you will be involved in this project and honesty begets honesty.

Once you have decided on who is going to be doing the work, consider how much you will want to be involved in the actual labor and installation. You may have quite a few skills to draw upon. Any work you are able and willing to do yourself will help drive the costs down on your project. Keep in mind though, that this may affect the schedule of your project. Be sure that if you are providing some of your own labor in the project that you will be working within the projected time frame set up with your builder. This will help to avoid problems that may arise in the future.

The materials used in your remodeling project are a large part of the overall cost. Be sure to research your final selections carefully. Speak with your suppliers and your builder about options for economical and ecological options available to you. Your order may be placed in tandem with others in order to make use of bulk rates or reduced shipping costs. On line dealers are often very cost effective, but careful attention must be paid to the dimensions. Local dealers too, are an effective way of keeping costs down and quality up. They also help support the local economy in your area.

Plan out your floor plans carefully and make the most efficient use of all areas and surfaces. Often a less expensive answer can be found in modifying a floor plan or product selection. You may find that you like the look of one brand of cabinets, but they wont’ work with your floor plan without expensive modifications and extra time. By looking at alternatives you may be surprised to find a simpler, more cost effective way of accomplishing the very effect you were looking for through another manufacturer.

Above all, take the time to carefully reflect upon the parameters of the projects and your needs. A well planned decision rarely leads to expensive alterations or repairs in the future. Speak often with your builder about the project as it moves forward. This way you will be sure to be informed of potential issues before they become real problems. Above all else, do not commit yourself to physically working on the project unless you are able to work within the time constrains and posses the skills necessary to complete the task you have set yourself to. Taking on to much can lead to higher costs and many headaches. Careful planning can head much of this off and keep your project well within your original budget.

Home lighting has come a long way from the glass domes spaced directly in the middle of each room, with perhaps a fancy ceiling fan in the bedrooms. Now we have such a multitude of lighting options that we can almost turn to lighting as an art from in itself. Lights can be used to wash a particular wall in just such a way as to imply more space or height. Light can be installed to provide subtle mood lighting or can illuminate a room to the point of hospital sterility. It can be a difficult task to design and layout the perfect lighting plan that is more than just light to see by in the evening hours.

So how does one go about working with lighting in order to produce an artistic effect while still providing a functional home setting? By playing with it of course. Look into different lighting options by reading magazines on home remodeling. Look through the uncatalogued and on line inventory of your provider. Consider what kind of options they have. Then imagine new uses for those lights and setting in which you may want to have them installed.

Options for lighting uses come in a variety of styles. Small low voltage lights can be hidden behind molding or in niches built into walls and ceilings. This kind of back lighting washes the surface behind with a soft glow and makes a room feel phosphorescent rather than lit. Recessed lighting provides direct light that can be controlled to the point of almost pinprick. They can illuminate an area directly below, above or off to one side. Lenses harness the light and direct it in a specified manner. Hanging or pendant lights can be stylish and provide setting to a room.

Color of shades, lenses, and other kind of diffusion’s or bulbs can alter the effect of a light fixture dramatically. A red lit room make a much different statement than a yellow lit room. Using color diffusion or bulb is a good way of defining areas in wider spaces as well. A seating area lit with a low hanging overhead red tinged light in a larger room, feels private, almost intimate. A blue light set in the floor almost makes the are look smoky, and implies an ambiance of mellow shared space. Playful rope lighting hidden behind a boxed in raised ceiling, defines an area terrifically for games or home movie viewing.

A room is simply a room, until the proper ambiance is assigned to it. An underused and effective tool in doing this is lighting. By exploring the available products and playing with the setting, any room can be dramatically altered with the proper attention given to the lighting. Take time with your installer to talk about your ideas, and see what they suggest. You supplier will often have ideas and examples in their inventory catalogs that may help with this too.

Home security is more than surveillance and expensive security systems. Home security starts with a safe home. And just what is a safe home you may ask. A safe home is one that is well prepared in case of an emergency and has adequate preventative measures taken. These include escape routes, emergency back ups, proper exterior and storage area lighting, door and window locks where appropriate. This can also mean integrated systems for programmed lights, water and home systems. It is a matter of the needs and desires of the household.

In determining what your home may need to become safer take the time to access your current escape routes. The front door may not be enough. Basement window can be utilized for egress windows and escape ladders can be installed. Ladders are also a good idea for bedrooms above the first floor. Check your windows, if they are large enough for a person to fit through and can be opened functional locks should be installed. Inspect your doors as well. Check for ease of opening and closing. Be sure the locks are in good and working order. Look over the jambs to spot any potential weakened areas that may not hold up to an attempted forced entry. These are the basic home safety practices.

If your home has met all your expectations for the recommendations above, consider the next level of home security. Fire, smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are very important especially when small children are around. Be sure you have fire extinguishers in the kitchen and furnace room. Teach everyone in your home how to use one. Emergency lighting in case of a power outage is always a good idea. These could be lamps, candles, flashlights or small press lights. So long as you can see, it doesn’t matter what the form is. A land line or cell phone is also important in the event of an emergency during a power outage. Cordless phones can be rendered useless without a constant power source. Land lines and cell phone work interdependently of plugged in power and will remain relatively unaffected.

The next level of home security moves into a more integrated home security. This includes in home monitors, monitored security systems, alarms the notify the authorities in the case of a larger emergency like break ins, and automated home systems.

Home monitors can include a set or cameras installed in and around the home and wired into a monitoring station within the home. This works well for seeing who is coming up to the house or watching your children play in the yard while you are inside. Some monitoring systems are completely independent and others can be set to work with and be displayed on your computer. It is best to speak with your provider about options and what would be most effective for you and your family.

Monitored security systems are install in much the same way a home monitor is installed. It also come with a service that is paid for, where a security agency is hired to monitor your system and call you in case of an emergency or notify the authorities. A security agency may or may not be employed to watch over your fire and burglar alarms. These may also be set to simply sound off in the home, or hooked directly into your phone lines to ring into the local emergency system 911 line.

The last and oftentimes most advanced option for home security are automated home systems. This can be as simple as putting a time on your lights when you are away, or as elaborate as a computer controlling everything from lights to furnace functions. Manifold and monitoring stations can be installed in your home. Your water for both the lawn and your home can be adjusted as well. The automated systems can be linked in with your paid security service for an all inclusive monitoring system. It is just a matter of how mush your household needs in the way of protection and security. There are many options available to you, speak with your provider and installer for what options may be most effective for you and your needs.

Add-A-Motor and remote

Home automation is a natural step in the pursuit of convenience and lowering your carbon footprint. You can control everything from a set of remotes or one remote per room. Temperature, lights, even the drapes can be actively controlled by the touch of a button. Add-A-Motor can do the for you.

Add-A-Motor is a 64-Channel RF Remote for motorized drape controller. It consists of two parts: a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter measures only 4″ x 2″ x 3/4″ and can control any number of receivers. It is not limited to automated drapes. This system can control anything that can be plugged in.

Plug the receiver into a wall outlet, make sure that your lamp is switched on, and then plug the lamp into the receiver outlet. That is all you have to do. Then you can switch it on and off with the remote from up to 50 feet away.

This helps in home security as well keeping your energy use down. No more entering dark rooms. The peace of mind offered, especially to those who live alone in a remote area, can not be measured. You can carry the remote in your car and turn on the lights in a room from your garage.

Add-A-Motor is a natural step in home automation. Ease and convenience of use make the system a choice that you will never regret. Just imagine waking up on a beautiful weekend morning and opening the drapes without having to get out of bed. Add-A-Motor will get you there.

Our lives are busy and hectic. As such, any help in organization, efficiency, and atomization is regarded with near reverence and strong desire. Automatic and programmed responses are not only for email and computer reminders. Oh no. Our homes can be automated as well. Everything in our homes that require electricity to operate and function can be automated to a startling degree. This includes the oldies but goodies, lights, sprinklers, and alarms. But one may be surprised to know that this handy little auto feature can be found in appliances designed to make our lives so very much more easy.

Remotes can be very useful for automation. They can control everything from the television to the stove. Providing of course you have equipped your home with one of these handy, hand held devices. Dampers can be installed into the electrical system and work to tie everything together into one cohesive system which is then monitored by one single control panel. If you do not wish for your house to be completely automatic, you can opt for appliances and devices which you set yourself and then let run individually. Program your coffeemaker to turn on at 7am, then when you’re finished showering and primping, go enjoy your fresh cup-a-jo without waiting.

Monitoring stations can be installed, and are easily programed for you to check your home system and be sure things are set and running just the way you like it. So set it and forget it, and go on with the more pressing matters of your life, like sharing time in the evenings with your family. Along with your home automation system come sensors, that will serve as backup in case a system is set in a way that may not work well for daylight or if there is a failure along the line somewhere. Fail safes are an integral and important feature in any automated system. Be sure to investigate the fail safes of the system(s) you are considering.

Options for various home automation include, kitchen appliances, humidifiers and dehumidifiers, security and surveillance, lights, watering systems, telephone, windows, locks, etc. The list goes on and on and on, depending on your very specific needs. Your stove can be programmed to start cooking that pot roast at 3pm when you are still at work. Your dehumidifier can be set on a sensor to ventilate the attic or basement at particular humidity levels. Security systems can be wired into your telephone system so that no matter where you are in the house, if something happens you can call the police. You can also peep outside the garage door to check on your kids playing in the front lawn, from your refrigerator. It just takes a careful attention to detail, and a close analysis of your family’s needs, and expectations.

As with any home project, carefully consider how far you are willing and need to go with your work. Weigh the costs and benefits to find the best balance for your pocket and home. Evaluate your home and choose wisely the appliances and integrated systems the best suit the layout of your home and the lifestyle of those living within it.

This is a serious issue for many people, and in this time of recession and fiscal drain it is becoming even more more important to consider it carefully. When deciding between a home owner remodeling project or hiring a licensed contractor to do it for you there are many things to consider. These include your time frame, the skill level of those involved, cost and possible cost overruns, permitting and inspections, and so forth. Not a single one of these items is more important or weighed more heavily than another. As this is the case, a decision can be a very difficult one to come to.

When considering your time frame look first at when you would need to have the project completed by. Then consider your own professional and personal schedule. Can you really handle the time needed in order to ensure your project stays on track? If not, perhaps recruiting helpers may work or maybe hiring out would work best for you. The time required for any job is not small nor is it convenient, make sure before taking the project, on that you have alloted yourself ample time to achieve the task you have set yourself to, without over taxing yourself.

Along with stretching you time, you must also take into consideration your skill level and the level of those who will be working with you. Challenge is good and pushes you to learn new techniques as well as skills. But be mindful not to over reach your skill level. By reaching to far and pushing to hard, the end product could be more expensive and of lesser quality than you would have preferred. Books and home centers are wonderful resources for the do it your selfer who is attempting something a little new or difficult for them. Don’t hesitate to utilize all the resources available to you. If you are uncomfortable with the size of the project, perhaps consider doing parts of it and hiring out those areas you are as yet, unable to take on yourself. This will provide you an opportunity of learning from others while you too, are working.

Permits and inspections can be difficult for anyone no matter their skill level or experience. If your project is small enough that no permit is required, congratulations. If on the other hand, plans and permits are required and you are going to be doing the work your self, plan on extra time. About thirty percent of the project time will include working with inspectors and planners during normal business hours. Keep in mind that you will be spending chunks of time with them, so try and remain patient. If this is something needed for your project, but you are simply unwilling or unable to deal with, perhaps it’s time to bring in a professional contractor.

Any remodeling project can be intrusive. In order to reduce the impact projects have on our lives, it is best to carefully consider the pros and cons of hiring out versus doing the work ourselves. Remember that the least stressful and most satisfying way to take on any project, is to go into it well informed and confident. So take the time to evaluate your needs and expectations before you start in. You’ll be glad you did.

Perceptive Automation announced last week that its Mac OS X home automation software will now work with the iPhone to control INSTEON and X10 adapters over Wi-Fi or mobile broadband.
Indigo 4.0

PERCEPTIVE AUTOMATION RELEASES INDIGO 4.0, INTELLIGENT HOME AUTOMATION SERVER FOR MAC OS X

New Indigo Touch provides native iPhone/iPod touch control of home automation; Indigo Lite lowers the cost of entry for first time Home Automation buyers

Dallas, TX – April 21, 2009 – Perceptive Automation, the leading provider of Mac-based home automation software, today announced the immediate availability of Indigo version 4.0, a major update to the company’s intelligent home control and automation server for Mac OS X. With Indigo, users can easily control lights, appliances, thermostats, lawn sprinklers and dozens of other items found in the home, thereby helping to reduce energy usage.

New with this release is support for Indigo Touch, a native iPhone and iPod touch application, which allows a user to control their home automation system from anywhere using WiFi, 3G, or Edge connectivity. Indigo Touch is optimized for mobile use by providing instant single-touch access to lighting, appliances, sprinklers and thermostats. Its unique use of both Bonjour and the GoPrism.com subscription service allows secure remote access from anywhere with no firewall or router configuration needed. Indigo Touch is available as a free download from the iTunes App Store.

Go here for more information: perceptiveautomation.com

With more and more people moving towards consolidating their electronics in their home automation projects, more software like this will be coming in the near future. After just a little research, I found several applications for the iPhone that would control different PC and Mac based automation software packages, and even a couple that would work on the newer versions of the BlackBerry. Amazingly, these devices allow you to monitor statistics on various measurements in your home and then do something about it from anywhere with a wireless network. For example, if you are heading home after a hard workout, you might hit the button to warm up the hot tub at home to make sure it will be ready for you as soon as you get there.

Given the affordability of the software and the devices they run, the only thing stopping you from complete  remote control of your home environment will be your own imagination.