Hello Cocoontech,
I'm building a new house, about 4500sq ft on three levels. Our builder's home
automation subcontractor quoted me a price of about $45k to wire in Control4
for audio/video and lighting. I was not impressed. What was worse was that if
ever I wanted to swap anything out (eg. a TV, or network router, window
shade), I'd have to make a $$ service call to them. Definitely not DYI!
So I've read a lot, especially on these forums, and I think Insteon is the
way to go for me.
Here are my automation priorities:
1. Scene lighting (kitchen, living room), automated with triggers like
entry/exit and garage door. An all-off in the master bedroom and exit.
2. Energy management: when it's in the summer and hot, I'd like the HVAC to
be smart (I have a Nest), shades to all close, fan turns on.
3. Security: send me a text if the glass break or motion detectors go on.
Integreate with my deadbolts.
4. Audio/Visual distribution - not a high priority on the list, but a bonus
if it talks with the system.
Here's why I think I'm choosing Insteon:
1. Expandibility at a crawl, walk or run pace. I can start with kitchen lighting, then move on to dining and family room, then AV at my own pace. For Control4, I'd have to put it in all at once, or every time I get the service guy to come out and install a light switch, they'll charge an arm + leg.
2. Minimal programming. I have no advanced computer programming skills, although I build my own computers and tinker with my rooted Android phone. I think I can figure out ISY... ELK not so sure.
3. Reliable. I'm planning on making a significant investment in this, so I'd prefer to know ahead of time before I've got $10k in the system that it's buggy.
4. Wide active product range - it looks like Insteon products can meet all my needs.
Questions:
1. Is there another system that I should consider given the above requirements? Insteon sounds like the biggest, most user friendly, DIY home automation system with an active following and support.
2. Has Insteon ironed out it's reliability issues from the past? It sounds to me like it's much better. Because Insteon is dual band, if there is in-line power interference, then the radio band will take care of the signal right? Is this what happens practically? The more switches, the better the mesh will be?
3. In terms of wiring a new house, it looks like I have two essential options in terms of light switches. I can either wire everything conventionally and use on Switchlincs or Keypads instead of typical switches. Or, I can hide electrical switch boxes in closets, and have one or two gang Insteon switches to make it look nicer. The downside to the latter is that there's no going back - so basically I need to decide how far I'm going to commit myself, right? This applies to 2-way and 3-way switches too, etc.
4. I'm planning on skipping the Insteon hub and going right to the ISY. It looks like it will do everything I want above. I don't need Elk for my requirements right? Am I missing something important?
5. Here's a list of stuff to tell my electrician that I found elsewhere. Is this there anything else I'm missing?
-Neutrals in every box
-Deep electrical boxes
-Plastic boxes if possible (Is this a big deal?)
-Need to phase couple the breaker box
Thanks in advance for your advice, and for the info on this forum.
I'm building a new house, about 4500sq ft on three levels. Our builder's home
automation subcontractor quoted me a price of about $45k to wire in Control4
for audio/video and lighting. I was not impressed. What was worse was that if
ever I wanted to swap anything out (eg. a TV, or network router, window
shade), I'd have to make a $$ service call to them. Definitely not DYI!
So I've read a lot, especially on these forums, and I think Insteon is the
way to go for me.
Here are my automation priorities:
1. Scene lighting (kitchen, living room), automated with triggers like
entry/exit and garage door. An all-off in the master bedroom and exit.
2. Energy management: when it's in the summer and hot, I'd like the HVAC to
be smart (I have a Nest), shades to all close, fan turns on.
3. Security: send me a text if the glass break or motion detectors go on.
Integreate with my deadbolts.
4. Audio/Visual distribution - not a high priority on the list, but a bonus
if it talks with the system.
Here's why I think I'm choosing Insteon:
1. Expandibility at a crawl, walk or run pace. I can start with kitchen lighting, then move on to dining and family room, then AV at my own pace. For Control4, I'd have to put it in all at once, or every time I get the service guy to come out and install a light switch, they'll charge an arm + leg.
2. Minimal programming. I have no advanced computer programming skills, although I build my own computers and tinker with my rooted Android phone. I think I can figure out ISY... ELK not so sure.
3. Reliable. I'm planning on making a significant investment in this, so I'd prefer to know ahead of time before I've got $10k in the system that it's buggy.
4. Wide active product range - it looks like Insteon products can meet all my needs.
Questions:
1. Is there another system that I should consider given the above requirements? Insteon sounds like the biggest, most user friendly, DIY home automation system with an active following and support.
2. Has Insteon ironed out it's reliability issues from the past? It sounds to me like it's much better. Because Insteon is dual band, if there is in-line power interference, then the radio band will take care of the signal right? Is this what happens practically? The more switches, the better the mesh will be?
3. In terms of wiring a new house, it looks like I have two essential options in terms of light switches. I can either wire everything conventionally and use on Switchlincs or Keypads instead of typical switches. Or, I can hide electrical switch boxes in closets, and have one or two gang Insteon switches to make it look nicer. The downside to the latter is that there's no going back - so basically I need to decide how far I'm going to commit myself, right? This applies to 2-way and 3-way switches too, etc.
4. I'm planning on skipping the Insteon hub and going right to the ISY. It looks like it will do everything I want above. I don't need Elk for my requirements right? Am I missing something important?
5. Here's a list of stuff to tell my electrician that I found elsewhere. Is this there anything else I'm missing?
-Neutrals in every box
-Deep electrical boxes
-Plastic boxes if possible (Is this a big deal?)
-Need to phase couple the breaker box
Thanks in advance for your advice, and for the info on this forum.