Home Automation 101
By Phil Frank

Enjoy the convenience and cost savings of home automation, without getting a computer or electrical engineering degree.

Most of my friends and family bristle when I use the words "home automation." Maybe they think it's "geeky." Or maybe they suspect that home automation is another technology innovation that will fail to simplify their lives.

But when I bring up the topic with a "Wouldn't it be nice if ..." question, they show interest. Here's an example: "When you walk into the laundry room carrying a heavy hamper, wouldn't it be nice if the light turned on all by itself?" That's when I hear "Oh, now that would be great." With about $20 and a little effort, anyone could add such a convenience to their home.

The conveniences vary for different people. For ideas on how you might use home automation, see Why Automate.

You can control appliances throughout your home from one location with devices like this mini-controller from Powerhouse.

The amazing thing about many of the examples is that you can buy and install the devices yourself. All the projects fall into two categories of skills you'll need.  The first category is "Easy as Pie": no experience, no tools and no skills needed.  All you need to do is insert a plug into an outlet.  Unless you mistake your finger for the plug and insert it into the outlet, setting up these projects will be a cinch.  The second category is "Need To Know Very Basic Wiring Skills."  These projects require you to be able to replace an in-wall light switch or electric outlet.  It's not difficult, but you need to know what you are doing so you aren't electrocuted.  Have a qualified electrician do these projects if you have any doubts.  It won't take more than 10 minutes to replace a switch.  Maybe the electrician will even show you what to do next time.

Getting Started

For your first home automation project, I'd suggest selecting something from the "Easy as Pie" category. How about adding remote control capability to a lamp. When you see how simple it is to set up, you'll want to do more. What you'll need: a "lamp module" (costs under $15) and a controller (costs under $15).

This simple automation project will allow you to remotely control your lamp.  Illustration courtesy www.X10.com

Step One: Unplug the lamp.

Step Two: Plug the lamp into the "lamp module."

Step Three: Plug the "lamp module" into the outlet where the lamp had been.

Step Four: Turn the lamp on.

Step Five: Plug the controller into the wall by your bed, or any spot from which you'd like to control the lamp.

Quick Additions

Did you notice that the controller in the picture has four on/off switches? You can set up other devices for this box to control. The second button might control a coffee pot in your kitchen, the third button might turn the radio on/off. If you really want to get carried away, you can add up to 256 devices that can be individually controlled (but you'll want a different controller).

To control that coffee pot in your kitchen, plug the pot into an "appliance module." Then plug the appliance module into the wall where the coffee pot had been plugged in. Now here is one important new step: use a paper clip or screwdriver to rotate the "Unit Code" dial to "2." The "House Code" dial comes pre-set to "A," so just leave it. Changing the "Unit Code" to "2" will tell the module to only turn on/off when you press the "2" button on any controller set to "House Code-A."

To turn your radio in the living room on/off remotely, plug it into another appliance module, and set that appliance module's unit code to "3." Now the controller's button "3" will turn the radio on/off.

Walk-About Remotes

So if the controller is plugged into the wall and is sitting on your nightstand, how do you turn on that lamp while you're downstairs watching TV? With some smart shopping and just $25, you can add a handheld wireless control that also replaces the remote for your TV, VCR and stereo. An X10 transceiver, which you'll need, may also be included. The transceiver plugs into any electric outlet in your home. When you press X10 functions on the handheld controller, the controller sends radio signals to the transceiver. Then the transceiver forwards the signal to the device you want to control.
Ready to get started with automation?  See these deals and discounts for home automation and security.
You can even get a mini-version of the controller that will fit on your key chain. It can turn on/off/dim two different lights or appliances. Imagine coming home after dark, and being able to turn on lights inside your house as you walk up to the door.

 

Want to learn automation geek speak?


You can amaze your friends by calling it magic or you can further amaze them and explain the how these gizmos actually work.  This technology is generically called "Power Line Carrier" technology, but it's commonly referred to as "X10 Technology."  X10 is the company that developed it over 20 years ago.  They let other companies integrate the technology into their own products, so that different brands of X10 compatible products all work with one another.

When you push a button on an X10 controller, it sends a signal on the electric wiring that runs throughout your house.  The signal carries two pieces of information: the address (like A-1 or A-3), and what all modules set to that address should do (like turn on, turn off, or dim).

Why Automate?

Well, wouldn't it be nice to ...

...Return from vacation to a home that is the perfect temperature, without paying for heating/air conditioning to operate the whole time you were gone?

...Have your automatic lawn sprinkler not turn on and waste water on days when it rains?

...Have a hard-to-reach window shade open every morning and close every night, all by itself?

...Start the coffee pot brewing in the kitchen by pushing a button next to your bed?

...Have a light switch next to your bed that can turn all the lights inside and outside your house off when you're ready to sleep - even lights on different floors. Or use that same button to turn all the lights on in your house when you hear a strange noise?

...Lock (or unlock) your doors with a button on your key chain?

...Call your house from work (or anywhere else) and get the hot tub water fired-up and ready for your arrival?

...Have an "everything-off" button near your door, so when you are in a hurry to leave, you don't have to chase through the house turning off lights, the TV, the iron, and other appliances.

...See who's ringing the front doorbell without getting up from watching TV?

...Drive into your driveway at night, and have not only the yard lights turn on, but lamps and lights inside the house turn on, while the stereo begins to play welcome home music?

...Use a TV remote to dim the lights while you are watching television, or turn on/off lights anywhere in (or outside) the house?

...Hear a chime to notify you when someone is driving into your driveway, walking up your to your door, or putting letters in your mailbox?

...Have your VCR record "ER" even though you forgot to program the VCR when you were home?

...Have a tiny light by your bed that shows when the garage door is accidentally left open, and right next to the indicator light, a button to close the garage door.

 
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