Automation Suggestions

[AceMI]

Hello folks!



We recently purchased a new home and I would like to incorporate a home automation and security solution. The home is a 5,000 sq ft. ranch with basement, so whatever I opt for needs to have sufficient range.

In terms of automation, I'm primarily looking for basic lighting and hvac control. It's a big house and I have kids, so I'd love to pop on my iphone and make sure all the lights were shut off and an alert if someone comes through a basement door - that type of thing.

I'm leaning towards Insteon, but I have a challenge I'm unsure how to overcome. I have a 62x100 building approx 1000ft from the house. I'd like to control the hvac, lighting and overhead doors from the house. I do have network access out there, so ideally, I'd be able to broadcast the signals over the network - but I haven't found any solutions for that as of yet.

The only other thing worth mentioning is, I use Mac exclusively so hopefully whatever we go with has a good solution for us mac people.


Any suggestions, tips or insight would be really appreciated!


Thanks very much.

 

[electron]

hi AceMI, welcome to CocoonTech!

Are you planning on installing/managing this system yourself, or do you plan on getting an installer involved? I would probably recommend either a HAI Omni Pro IIe based solution, or the ELK M1. Both are full blown security systems which also support integration with home automation (lighting, HVAC, audio, etc.). Both platforms also support several iOS/Android clients, so it's pretty easy to interface your system remotely. The only issue is that the management software for both those systems (they are the most popular ones on the market) do not run on OS X, so you'll have to use a Windows machine (or go the virtual machine route).

There are also PC/Mac based software solutions (check out the home automation software list, which includes Mac based solutions), but you would still need a security panel.

As for that remote building, I would have to look into the distance limitations of RS485 (assuming you have a spare Cat5/6 cable), as you might be able to link the 2 buildings.

 

[Neurorad]

If the automation system is professionally installed, there wouldn't be any real need for PCs - all the programming is done by the installers.

I'm guessing Indigo Mac-based HA software is in Dan's link above.

 

[AlexCuster]

Welcome to CT!

It's a big house and I have kids, so I'd love to pop on my iphone and make sure all the lights were shut off and an alert if someone comes through a basement door - that type of thing.

An ELK or HAI will defiantly be able to accommodate this and even take it a step further. You can use the system to give your kids a verbal warning to close the basement door if it has been open for more than X minutes. By using motion sensors you can set your lights to follow you through the house at certain times. For example flipping on only the appropriate lights on your way to the kitchen after bedtime. Your creativity is really the limiting factor here.

I have a 62x100 building approx 1000ft from the house. I'd like to control the hvac, lighting and overhead doors from the house.

You may want to check out UPB for your lighting control. UPB works similar to the old X10 but sends a 40 volt signal (as opposed to 5V with X10) at a lower, more powerful frequency. UPB can travel up to a mile on the power line so incorporating lighting control with your other building will not be an issue. Also since UPB travels on your power line you will not have any communication issued with switches in your basement.

 

[tmbrown97]

An ELK or HAI will defiantly be able to accommodate this

Though many of us have defiant automation systems at times, I doubt that's his goal starting out :unsure: