Is Your Home Protected. Home Automation .... holidays are coming where will you be celebrating?

HOME AUTOMATION: THE JETSONS WOULD BE RIGHT AT HOME!

Topic Summary: If you never heard of the INSTEON Wireless Security IP Camera with Pan, Tilt and Night Vision, you may be one of the millions who want to delve into the Home Automation industry. With the proliferation of smartphones many options are now available for you to ride the home automations waveBut where to start?  In this multi-part series you will learn the basics of home automation, the importance of "Standards" and issues of security of your home automation network. Let's get started.   First rule: start small. Just because you have many systems around the house, not all are easily linked to a home automation network. For starters you may want to automate simple systems like drive way lights or even automating your coffee maker. From there you will be able to slowly but surely understand the myriad of issues that are sure to pop up. The internet is full of resources that will get you educated and offer buying assistance for the equipment you will need. Let's get into the major areas around the home where automated systems can interact for more enjoyment, savings and security. Before we start, the end game is to figure out how mobile you want to be while still controlling the devices hooked up to your network. If you are comfortable with using smartphones, you will want to have every part of the network mobile-enabled or web enabled, meaning once you are on the internet anywhere, you can control the network. Many whole house solutions have specific apps used to interface with their network. Basic Control Systems Lighting: From any connected device remotely turn on and off lights or plug in devices such as coffee pots, pool chlorinators, or driveway heating. Total Energy Management: By automating temperatures and water heaters based on time or occupancy, you can reduce energy expenditures. Many systems can interface with smart meters so you can manage "time of day" energy usage, working with your utility to reduce energy costs. Access Control Automation Limit admission to designated areas. Form your smart phone allow the cleaning person to enter your home or get alerted when the kids have arrived home from school. Home Security. Tie in wireless cameras all over your home. See if there are too many kids in the pool from work! See from inside or across town who is ringing the doorbell. Monitor fire and burglar alarms. Entertainment: Send the latest Pandora channel to all rooms in your home or certain ones. Ties in your home theatre systems and watch 300 channels when you   want, where you want. Next Edition: Buying your first pieces of hardware and maybe even software to run it all Stay tuned!