From simple lighting controllers to whole-house integrated systems
for data, security and entertainment, the residential automation
market is exploding.
Published at: Lowe's for Pros | October
2005 | By Chuck Ross
Building automation is old-hat for electricians involved in commercial construction.
Office buildings, schools and factories have been tying heating and lighting
systems together, and developing plans for more flexible voice and data communications,
for more than a decade. Now, growing consumer sophistication is creating demand
for these systems in homes and apartments, presenting a growing market for electrical
professionals who understand the challenges and opportunities.
Computer and media networking is driving much of the growing consumer
interest, experts say, as homebuyers seek to make the most of expanding
cable services and broadband Internet connections. Structured wiring
systems, which can bring Category 5 or higher wiring together with
RG6 and fiber-optic cable into multi-outlet boxes called home network
centers or media centers, are becoming required ingredients in many
new upscale housing developments—and demand is expected to
continue growing.
Additionally, landlords increasingly are including structured wiring
in higher-end rental communities, such as the Deer Valley Town Homes
in Ellington, Conn., where JJL recently added structured wiring systems
to its plans for the development’s
one- and two-bedroom apartments. The systems incorporate Category
5E voice and data wiring, RG-6 coaxial TV cable and a multi-number
telephone distribution panel for every unit. Tenants also can add
distributed audio and security (including optional remote cameras)
to their systems.
Flexibility Adds Value
For homebuyers in his area, Lanouette says a structured wiring system
can add $1,000 or more to a home’s value, but homeowners who understand
the design’s advantages generally agree to the add-on.
“Once they grasp the flexibility that it gives, they want to be involved
in it,” he says. “When we start talking about being able to hook
all the family’s computers to the DSL, it really becomes a
no-brainer.”
Lanouette adds that pulling structured wiring in either new or existing construction
is really no different for the electrician than working with any other kind of
wiring. However, others note that contractors incorporating such designs may
want outside help developing the initial schematics.
Brett Griffin is
co-founder of Architechtronics, a Seattle-based firm that provides
such consulting services for homeowners and developers across the United States.
He notes that many of today’s home automation systems are reaching beyond media centers
to provide remote communications and control of a residence’s heating and
cooling costs. He says this approach can help homeowners “correct
bad habits.”
By tying heating and cooling controls to alarm systems, for example,
homeowners can ensure their thermostats will drop back to the “away” setting
as soon as the alarm is armed. Similarly, lighting can be connected,
allowing for on/off combinations programmed to related alarm-system
settings. But Griffin says
selling such advantages may require builders to rethink some of their “wow” factor
based marketing efforts, and focus, instead, on the practical savings
that could result.
“There’s a different method of approaching the sales process,” he
says. “If we can save 10 to 15 percent on the utility bill
[through better controls], you can pay the system off in three to
five years.”
~by Chuck Ross
©2005 by Lowe's. All rights reserved.
Published at: Lowe's for Pros
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