Hello, I am getting a new home built this year (hoping to start in June/July), and I have really been considering Automating it. Its a 2700sq/ft 2 Story (with unfinished basement, so 3600-3700 total). I have been searching hard for about 3 weeks now, looking at different products, and im still pretty confused on some things. But im thinking the HAI is for me. Id like to start with lighting, security (basic), sound, but wire for the rest. Id like to do hardwired as much as possible, and then wireless for what has to be wireless, or as a backup should something happen to the wiring. Here is what im looking at;
To Start:
-Id like to control with Ipads, because well, the touch screens are usually uglier, and they are very expensive. A touch Pad like the 5.7e, is 1,000+, where as an Ipad 2 16GB is about 450 (locally CDN Pricing) then I just need a wall mount. I would be doing a few hard mounts, and a few docking/charging stations.
-Lighting, up to 30 zones give or take. Mostly Dimmers, a few 3 way dimmers, and a 4 way dimmer. Also Id like to do all LED lighting. Its gonna be pricy but I think its the way to go. I noticed some lights dont like PWM, and some dont like resistance dimmers. So unsure as to what lights to go with. it will be a mix of Pot Lights (maybe 8" for good light levels at max), and surface fixtures. Also I think 3 hanging fixtures. Though im sure the zones/rooms will drop drastically when I do the HMI, to clean it up. IE (all upstairs bedrooms on a page, Master on another etc) 30 is if everything is seperate.
-HVAC. Right now the design is for one forced air unit, and prevision for AC (evap going in, ill install the AC outside in the first or second summer). Though im now thinking of infloor heating, and AC. Gotta see the costs with each via the builder. Obviously with mobile access. Its nice when we are on VAC or a weekend away camping to turn off the AC, or turn down the heat, and adjust it an hour before home. Why waste energy.
-Id like to be able to switch the bathroom plugs on and off (the wife always worries she left the hair straightner on etc.)
-Id like to be able to turn on and off the fireplaces, though this can be done through a switch like the lights.
-Id like to do security, 8 doors, (About 21 windows, some just glass break, some glass+open status), Id like to pre-wire for cameras (not that im going to install them, but wire is cheap, and maybe I will down the road, maybe the next owner will want it, Cat5E, or Cat6E, and an 1110 box is cheap, so why not), id also like smoke and heat detectors. And ill throw some motions in. Id like to automate the door locks. I think this will have to be wireless, because I havent seen a hardwired solution, but im confused with my padio doors, as they are french, do they make a top down deadbolt or something for my main level, and basement walkout french doors, I dont think a big deadbolt is the answer, and it could be defeated by breaking the glass anyway.
-Id also like to tie the door contacts into an intercom system. Our friends put in a cheap wireless solution, the anounces when a door is open, and which door it is. This could be done via relays, should it not be intergrated. But its great for knowing when the little ones are opening doors. Our boys are 10m, and 3. Most of our friends are in the 1-2 age, with the more settling down, and more small ones are going to be on the way. The wife really likes it when we are there, and it lets us know the door to the garage is open, and we can see who is going where they shouldnt.
-Ill be doing whole home audio, 8 or 9 zones, with multiple sources (radio, Sat radio, Sat TV Audio channel, Audio Library, and local Ipod/Pad docks, or Inputs) Ill be pre wiring for the audio, as im not set on equiptment for the theater yet, so ill prob just be putting in some speakers, and local docks at install, then dealing with the rest after. Id also like the ability to intercom. Be great for calling the kids in from the back yard etc, or when the wife decides I should be able to hear what she is saying on a totally different floor. I love when she calls down to grab some bread or something from the freezer, walk upstairs to find it out, then walk backdown stairs to grab it, and bring it back up for her.
Pre-wire for:
-Irigation, it will be the first summer I install it, maybe the 2nd. Depending on budget, and work load. Im thinking 2-3 Solenoids.
-Motorized window coverings. I havent had much time to look at them, mostly focusing on the lights etc, but id love to hardwire them. The wife seems to like hunter douglas (its not a listed conectivity partner), but we have a local Hunter Douglas supplier in town. And she is very hands on, vs trying to picture things, or look online. Ill have to see who else is in town. Or nearby I havent really looked at the code, but was hoping even if it was not a connectivity partner, or no drivers avail, I could use DO on timers and automate them up and down etc via timers. Though a driver would be the best. She likes the Sillouets, and we would add blackouts to a few of the windows. Again thats her picking what she wants at the time. Id just like to direct her where to go look. Its better that way.
-Anything else I stumble across, though I pretty much have it covered. The basement will be unfinished, and ill be building a theater down there, so it will eventually get added in aswell, maybe through an HTX2.
Questions:
-The OmniPro II seems to cover everything i am doing, and want to be doing. Now is there a better option for me? Cost is a factor, Not a massive one, but I think all and all id like to keep it under 15k (Not counting theater). Ive been looking at systems, and DIY is also a factor. Id like to be able to tinker. And some of this will be future, so I dont want to have to bring someone in everytime. So I think creston is out.
- Do these systems register local changes. I know I have played with the apps on the Iphone, and you can dim and toggle etc, but how does it work if say I manually dim the lights to 67%, does the app poll regularly, or is it an on demand poll (go out of perticular room, or area, and reenter to see the change, or does it automatically force an update when a change is done locally).
-Lighting is a big one, id like it bright, and quiet frankly too bright, and run the dimmers, that way as the LEDs start to fade, it can just be adjusted up. Though I dont want flickering and humming. So what combos work well together? Is there a better lighting partner then another? IE Lutron switches, with leviton lights? Is there a connectivity partner to stay away from, is there a non listed connectivity partner, that has thier own drivers making them compatable?
Thanks for your time everyone.
To Start:
-Id like to control with Ipads, because well, the touch screens are usually uglier, and they are very expensive. A touch Pad like the 5.7e, is 1,000+, where as an Ipad 2 16GB is about 450 (locally CDN Pricing) then I just need a wall mount. I would be doing a few hard mounts, and a few docking/charging stations.
-Lighting, up to 30 zones give or take. Mostly Dimmers, a few 3 way dimmers, and a 4 way dimmer. Also Id like to do all LED lighting. Its gonna be pricy but I think its the way to go. I noticed some lights dont like PWM, and some dont like resistance dimmers. So unsure as to what lights to go with. it will be a mix of Pot Lights (maybe 8" for good light levels at max), and surface fixtures. Also I think 3 hanging fixtures. Though im sure the zones/rooms will drop drastically when I do the HMI, to clean it up. IE (all upstairs bedrooms on a page, Master on another etc) 30 is if everything is seperate.
-HVAC. Right now the design is for one forced air unit, and prevision for AC (evap going in, ill install the AC outside in the first or second summer). Though im now thinking of infloor heating, and AC. Gotta see the costs with each via the builder. Obviously with mobile access. Its nice when we are on VAC or a weekend away camping to turn off the AC, or turn down the heat, and adjust it an hour before home. Why waste energy.
-Id like to be able to switch the bathroom plugs on and off (the wife always worries she left the hair straightner on etc.)
-Id like to be able to turn on and off the fireplaces, though this can be done through a switch like the lights.
-Id like to do security, 8 doors, (About 21 windows, some just glass break, some glass+open status), Id like to pre-wire for cameras (not that im going to install them, but wire is cheap, and maybe I will down the road, maybe the next owner will want it, Cat5E, or Cat6E, and an 1110 box is cheap, so why not), id also like smoke and heat detectors. And ill throw some motions in. Id like to automate the door locks. I think this will have to be wireless, because I havent seen a hardwired solution, but im confused with my padio doors, as they are french, do they make a top down deadbolt or something for my main level, and basement walkout french doors, I dont think a big deadbolt is the answer, and it could be defeated by breaking the glass anyway.
-Id also like to tie the door contacts into an intercom system. Our friends put in a cheap wireless solution, the anounces when a door is open, and which door it is. This could be done via relays, should it not be intergrated. But its great for knowing when the little ones are opening doors. Our boys are 10m, and 3. Most of our friends are in the 1-2 age, with the more settling down, and more small ones are going to be on the way. The wife really likes it when we are there, and it lets us know the door to the garage is open, and we can see who is going where they shouldnt.
-Ill be doing whole home audio, 8 or 9 zones, with multiple sources (radio, Sat radio, Sat TV Audio channel, Audio Library, and local Ipod/Pad docks, or Inputs) Ill be pre wiring for the audio, as im not set on equiptment for the theater yet, so ill prob just be putting in some speakers, and local docks at install, then dealing with the rest after. Id also like the ability to intercom. Be great for calling the kids in from the back yard etc, or when the wife decides I should be able to hear what she is saying on a totally different floor. I love when she calls down to grab some bread or something from the freezer, walk upstairs to find it out, then walk backdown stairs to grab it, and bring it back up for her.
Pre-wire for:
-Irigation, it will be the first summer I install it, maybe the 2nd. Depending on budget, and work load. Im thinking 2-3 Solenoids.
-Motorized window coverings. I havent had much time to look at them, mostly focusing on the lights etc, but id love to hardwire them. The wife seems to like hunter douglas (its not a listed conectivity partner), but we have a local Hunter Douglas supplier in town. And she is very hands on, vs trying to picture things, or look online. Ill have to see who else is in town. Or nearby I havent really looked at the code, but was hoping even if it was not a connectivity partner, or no drivers avail, I could use DO on timers and automate them up and down etc via timers. Though a driver would be the best. She likes the Sillouets, and we would add blackouts to a few of the windows. Again thats her picking what she wants at the time. Id just like to direct her where to go look. Its better that way.
-Anything else I stumble across, though I pretty much have it covered. The basement will be unfinished, and ill be building a theater down there, so it will eventually get added in aswell, maybe through an HTX2.
Questions:
-The OmniPro II seems to cover everything i am doing, and want to be doing. Now is there a better option for me? Cost is a factor, Not a massive one, but I think all and all id like to keep it under 15k (Not counting theater). Ive been looking at systems, and DIY is also a factor. Id like to be able to tinker. And some of this will be future, so I dont want to have to bring someone in everytime. So I think creston is out.
- Do these systems register local changes. I know I have played with the apps on the Iphone, and you can dim and toggle etc, but how does it work if say I manually dim the lights to 67%, does the app poll regularly, or is it an on demand poll (go out of perticular room, or area, and reenter to see the change, or does it automatically force an update when a change is done locally).
-Lighting is a big one, id like it bright, and quiet frankly too bright, and run the dimmers, that way as the LEDs start to fade, it can just be adjusted up. Though I dont want flickering and humming. So what combos work well together? Is there a better lighting partner then another? IE Lutron switches, with leviton lights? Is there a connectivity partner to stay away from, is there a non listed connectivity partner, that has thier own drivers making them compatable?
Thanks for your time everyone.