automation system

On its own, a home automation system has the dexterity to juggle a variety of different tasks. Meticulously engineered and designed by the manufacturer and installed by a home systems integrator, it’s able to dim and brighten light fixtures, adjust the settings of thermostats, provide status reports of household electricity usage, and choreograph the operation […]

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One of the biggest challenges of adding technology to a home is finding and comparing the many options available. You can scour the Internet for hours and still leave scratching your head. While the selection of home automation systems may not be as immense as stereo speakers or smart TVs, it’s still impressive … and […]

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It’s one thing to hear about a home automation system from the company that manufactured it; it’s another to listen to the thoughts about the system from the people who actually use it. Manufacturers are quick to claim that their automation systems are easy to install and even easier to use, but are they really? […]

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The IoT, or Internet of Things, has exploded upon the everyday consumer, in a variety of products and forms. It’s a confusing, chaotic time, so how can you determine which IoT products are best for you and your home? How do you live today? Creating a connected home is easier today than ever, thanks to […]

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Interested in automating your home? There are options galore—from sophisticated systems that are best installed by a trained professional, those that you can buy and have installed by your Internet Service Provider, and packages of automation gear available online and at retail outlets that are designed to be set up by homeowners. The latter is […]

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Originally a school auditorium, this beautiful 4,644-square-foot space is now home to a family of four and is equipped with smart home technology and media systems that are so intuitive to use, virtually no schooling is needed. This cavernous structure was transformed into livable areas with a little ingenuity on the parts of the builder […]

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During his nine-season stint as Extreme Home Makeover’s leading man, Ty Pennington has designed and constructed more than 230 homes throughout the country, each mindfully created with the unique needs and lifestyles of the future families who would occupy them. Pennington has earned a reputation as a skilled craftsman with a heart, who, with the […]

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Home systems integrators are awesome. They really are. They’re masters at designing and installing complex electronic systems into homes that mesh perfectly with you and your family’s schedule, routines, and lifestyle. But as with anything you purchase for your home, there’s bound to be a breaking-in period, when you learn to use the system—and possibly […]

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Somfy Cord Lift WireFree This Somfy system is battery powered, installs in minutes, and is perfect for hard-to-reach window coverings or areas where wiring may be a challenge. Providing instant privacy or glare reduction at the touch of a button, this system is ideal for cellular, pleated, and Roman shades. Starting at around $400 for […]

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It’s only fitting for the room with the most drama to have the most dramatic lighting. If you want your media room to be a true home theater, expert lighting design is key to creating atmosphere, illuminating the way, and enhancing the overall movie experience. A home theater presentation involves choreographed technology, in which lighting […]

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