There
was a time when I used a couple of simple plug-in lamp timers to make
my home look "lived in" when we were on vacation. Of course,
any self-respecting home burglar would quickly realize that one lamp
turning on at exactly the same time each evening actually shouted
that we were away -- but it still made me feel a bit better.
When
we built our home about 10 years ago I discovered a better alternative
to simple timers -- a technology called X10. This technology uses
a system of transmitters and receivers to control lights, appliances,
and a lot more. Unlike radio transmitters, the signals for X10 are
transmitted over the existing power lines in your home. This means
that in most cases no wiring is needed.
I
installed a master X10 controller and multiple X10 modules in our
home, and in the process found out that this system can do a whole
lot more than make the house look lived in!
For
example, one small module controls the low-voltage landscape lights,
ensuring that they come on every night and go off each morning. Small
screw-in receivers control the bulbs in our wall-mounted exterior
light fixtures, and a plug-in module makes sure that the aquarium
in my son's bedroom is quiet at night, by turning off the air pump.
By
replacing regular wall switches with X10 receiver switches, we are
able to automatically control room lights, including the "vacation
function", but now using the regular room lighting, and making
use of a security feature that randomly varies the trigger times.
Because of the ability to transmit and receive from any points on
the electrical wiring, adding a new switch to control lights in any
part of the house is simple. So, for example, we put a switch in the
kitchen to control the basement playroom lights -- now when the kids
forget to turn the lights off, we don't have to run stairs.
Even
better, I set up the master controller to automatically turn off all
the basement lights at night, just in case they were left on. When
the kids were younger the TV was plugged into a module that cut the
power every night when we declared TV off-limits. Hey, they were too
young to realize that it could work plugged in somewhere else!
Today,
there are many more options. You can get modules to control lawn sprinkler
systems and audio-visual equipment, automatically dim lights, close
your garage door from inside the house, respond to voice commands,
trigger alarms, and much more. You can get a remote light switch that
can be put anywhere -- no need to directly connect it to the house
wiring -- and can be set to control any defined set of lights.
Ever
got up to find that your garage door was left open all night? Program
it to close at a preset time just in case it was left open! Have somewhere
in your home where you can't hear the doorbell? Add a remote chime
instantly without wiring! The possibilities are endless.
Today
you have more choices than ever for automated control of X10 devices.
In addition to the dedicated "timer-like" devices, you can
get sophisticated computer programs and interfaces to run your entire
home automation system from your computer.
To
find the best source of X10 information and products visit Smarthome.Com
.
I only wish there had been a source like this when we built our home!
I've already picked up some additional modules at Smarthome -- far
cheaper than the local supplier I'd been using before. Check it out!
Hershel
Belkin is the managing editor of the Best
Value Guide, a no-ads directory of shopping sites
that have been carefully evaluated to ensure a pleasant shopping experience
as well as good value. © 2003, Belkinder Marketing. Reprint rights
usually granted, send request to reprint@bestvalueguide.com.
