If you've recently moved from an an apartment or rental house into your first purchased home, you may be excited at the newfound freedom to make the changes and improvements you want. However, upgrading your housing situation can often come at a financial cost when it comes to paying your utility bill. If you work long hours, it may make little sense to keep your home at a cool 72 degrees all day, but the idea of coming home to a hot, stuffy house may be too much to bear. In many cases, a whole-house automation system may be a good investment in your future utility costs as well as your home's security. Read on to learn more about whole-house automation systems to determine whether this would be a good investment for your new home.
What whole-house automation systems are available?
Home automation can encompass a wide variety of automated or wirelessly-controlled services—from indoor and outdoor lights you can turn on from your desk at work to thermostat controls or even appliance automation. If you prefer to unload your dishes immediately after washing to avoid water spots, a home-automation system can allow you to turn the dishwasher on from an app on your cell phone or a secure website whenever you'd like it to begin. Although many appliances already come with pre-programming options, these are often of little use if your schedule is erratic and you can't accurately predict when you'll arrive home on a given day. A home-automation system allows you to program automatic settings or override them if you have a last-minute schedule change.
Many home-automation systems can also provide you with an additional layer of home security. Many studies show that a home with an unlit exterior provides the perfect cover for potential burglars, but on the other hand, a porch light that stays on from the time you leave home in the morning to the time you return at night could also let a would-be burglar know your home is unoccupied. By turning on your lights at random intervals throughout the day, you'll make it difficult for someone to predict when your home is empty. In many cases, this step alone will be enough to encourage a burglar to move down the block for an easier target.
With most modern heating and air-conditioning systems come already installed with an electronic circuit board, adapting these appliances to accommodate a home-automation system is generally a simple process. Homes with modern wiring (rather than outdated knob and tube wiring) are also easily able to transition to a home-automation system, giving you control over just about all the electronics in your home with the touch of a button.
What factors should you consider when deciding whether to install a home-automation system?
Although a home-automation system can provide a number of benefits, it may seem like a hefty investment when you're already facing the other expenses inherent in moving and setting up a new home. There are a few factors you may want to consider before purchasing and installing a home-automation system.
The first factor is the amount of time you'll spend at home during the week. Keeping your home heated or air conditioned to comfortable temperatures when it's unoccupied for at least a third of the day can skyrocket your utility bills needlessly. In many cases, a home-automation system will pay for itself within the first year or two by allowing you to keep your home comfortable when you're there and at a more wallet-friendly temperature when you're not.
Another factor you'll want to take into account is how long you're planning to stay in the home. Although a home-automation system can provide some benefits upon resale, if you're planning on upgrading soon, it may be best to conserve your available funds and invest them in your forever home rather than your starter one.
Contact a company such as Evolution Audio Video for more information about your options.
I still remember my family renting VHS tapes from my local video store every weekend on our family's Friday "movie night." Of course, we also had an additional video tape rewinder machine, because there was a rumor that the rewind mechanisms on VHS video players typically wore out quickly. Audio visual technology has advanced rapidly since those days, and I love staying on top of all of the new A/V technology out there. I have a home movie projector in my home theater, and I love teaching others about the benefits of these relatively affordable machines that provide a real "movie theater" experience right at home. I also stay on top of new television technology and am always eager to try out new TV tech. I plan to post many A/V tips and tricks on my new blog, so come back often!