Environment automation sounds like a new concept, but building or environment automation
has been around for a long time. While new technology allows for deeper
integration of lighting, security, audio/video and other home or
commercial systems, the fact is that you probably employ some degree of
systems automation already. Assessing the building or environment
automation capabilities you already have can help you plan for future
integration and automation. These are some of the areas where you may
already have some automation capability.
Security
Automated
security elements include such things as motion-activated or
sound-activated lighting and security cameras. You can also integrate
your other systems with your security system to turn on lights, music
and television on a timer to simulate that someone is home. Some aspects
of building or environment automation make your home or business safer:
garage lights that turn on when you open the garage door, for example,
or stairway and path lighting that remains on for several minutes after
you enter your driveway.
Lighting
In
addition to the security aspects of lighting, you can also set lights
on a timer to conserve energy, or install motion sensors to turn lights
on when someone enters the room and off a certain number of minutes
after the last person exits the room. This kind of automation can be a
huge money saver in commercial buildings, where customers and staff
frequently leave lights on in bathrooms or other seldom used areas.
Audio/Video
Many
cable and satellite companies already offer distributed audio/video
capabilities that allow you to watch the same or different channels on
different screens in your home. Some of them also allow you to integrate
a central audio server that stores your entire music collection and
lets you access it from any room in the house. Turning that into a
distributed audio system doesn’t take much effort – talk to a
wiring/pre-wire specialist about wiring ceiling and wall speakers
throughout your house to deliver music anywhere you want.
Environment Control
Programmable
thermostats are the most common type of environment automation found in
homes and commercial buildings everywhere, but they’re only an example
of what’s possible with building or environment automation. If you can
measure something with equipment, you can use it as a signal for
event-based automation. Set your window blinds to open automatically to
let in sunlight or close for privacy based on lighting levels, time of
day or temperature. Put your lawn sprinklers on a timer, or program them
to turn on when a motion sensor is tripped – a rather novel home security measure.
Building
or environment control capabilities are becoming a bigger and bigger
selling point in new and existing homes and commercial properties.
Contact a home automation specialist to find out what capabilities your
property already has and how they can be upgraded for more convenience
and security.
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