Home in on smart idea

This ‘futuristic’ technology is no longer confined to Austin Powers movies. It has taken off big time in the US with many ‘intelligent’ up-market homes now able to be controlled remotely by their owners.

All electrical devices in the home – including, light, heating, entertainment, and of course, security – communicate with each other.

Control is via a PC, wall mounted touch screens or panels. And, as all professional security installa-tion companies have total familiarity with the control panel concept, it follows they are perfectly placed to benefit from the predicted boom in this sector … that’s if the electricians, double glazing companies and IT people don’t get there first.

Initial demand is likely to come from developers and, with the government pushing for so much new home building, there could be lucrative contracts available. Other first users will be up-market home owners … the top end of the security installers’ current domestic market.

This area could present a potential chance to offer automation as an upgrade to the security system. Because devices perform many functions – from the simple (curtain closing and light dimming) to the complex (gas/water leakage, fire and intruder detection, ‘away from home’ scenes), the sales opportunities could be considerable.

However, with such low penetration of alarm systems into the domestic sector at the moment, it’s likely to be a few years before Mr and Mrs Jones at No 42 get the dinner cooking while they’re still on the train home.

Installers wanted now

One provider in this sector is actively looking for security installers to build up nationwide coverage.

Jeanette Jones, MD of Cardio, says: “Security installers who are in tune with putting in boxes are much better placed to get into this market than others such as heating and ventilating engineers. Key setting is the key … so security installers should find it simple to install.

“We are having inquiries from the public and developers daily”

She stressed that they are not looking for a long list of installers but they do want to cover the country and full training will be given. (She can be contacted on: 0207 476 4347.)

One new development using Cardio was by Laing Homes in Greenwich, London.

They approached Home Automation Company ‘IQ your home’ to design a home automation system that would be in keeping with this unique gated development comprising of seven four-storey Georgian style townhouses and a two-bedroom triplex apartment.

Tony Cheeseman, MD of IQ your home said: “We needed a system that could provide all of the control required for 21st Century living while at the same time not detracting from the feel of the Georgian period. In this instance we proposed the use of the Cardio home automation system.

“This particular system can use any manufacturer’s retractive type switches so unless you know the property is automated it can look and feel like a conventional system.”

The Cardio system provides residents with the option of automated control over security, lighting, heating, audio/video, home entertainment systems, electrical appliances, curtains and blinds from either the dedicated touch screen positioned by the living room entrance door the individual room switches or even from an armchair using a Philips Pronto suitably programmed to become the property’s only required remote control.

Setting the mood

Residents are able to set up to 42 bespoke ‘mood scenes’, the ‘entertaining scene’ that has been set for the dining area enables the homeowner to instruct, at the touch of one button, the system to close curtains, dim lights and turn on soft background music. Each programme can be tailored to the individual requirements of the user; the mood of a room can be set for any time of day.

Curtains and blinds can be opened and closed without the operator needing to leave their seat. Coffee percolators and toasters in the kitchen can be switched on from the bed, central heating turned up or down and audio and visual home entertainments routed throughout the home at the flick of a switch.

  The ‘Movie scene’ in the living room automatically closes the curtains then slowly dims lights as the home cinema system comes to life and starts to play your favourite DVD.

The system also safeguards their security and makes the home more economical and energy efficient. When leaving home a touch of the intelligent key reader, positioned by the front door, will shut down the house as required. Lights will be turned off, heating will be automatically set back to an unoccupied status and the security systems will deploy including a ‘random lived-in’ program that enables the home to give off the outward appearance of still being occupied.

The householder’s mobile phone or other designated number is used to alert them to trouble and they can phone into the system and remotely make changes to the systems.