Structured wiring for music, data, TV’s, computers, phones, faxes, lighting control, cameras, and security has made tremendous advances in the last 10 years. Most builders now routinely include some type of basic wiring in their homes. My company embraced “high-tech” wiring and functionality years ago, and we continue to include the most up to date and high quality wiring, equipment, design and planning, and integration available. We give clients an entire menu of options from basic wiring to total home automation and IP based integration.
The major industry association for contractors is the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA). Based on their recommendations and my experience, I have compiled a list of 10 tips for homeowners to consider when building their home:
1. Wire for everything now – even wireless. Wiring is the cheapest component of even the most sophisticated system, so it is smart to wire for all future needs and possibilities.
2. Insist on an Integrated System. Make sure all equipment and controls can be connected together and operated with one, easy to use control system, such as a user-friendly portable touch screen. Sitting in your favorite chair using your iPad or other controls, you should be able to view your front yard via a camera, pull up your favorite music, surf the internet, adjust your air conditioning, and much more.
3. Integrate lighting and air conditioning and heating controls – Green meets convenience. System integration provides automatic energy-efficient adjustments, saving you time and money. Lighting control creates a stunning look in a house, as well as convenience. Excessive and ugly wall clutter (switches, volume control) are consolidated into clean looking touch pads.
4. Simplify your controls. In my experience, the most critical factor in an integrated home electronic system is ease of use. Simple, but powerful all-in-one controls are available for any system. They can be custom programmed for you and controlled by other portable devices and even through internet browsers from anywhere in the world.
5. Buy an experience, not a box or a bunch of wiring. It is critical that you and your builder team with an electronic systems contractor. You should be able to see and “test drive” the entire package and experience the thrill of a high performance system. See it, use it, before buying it.
6. Plan early. From my experience, the best way to develop a cutting edge electronic system is to be presented with an entire menu of all available options, from shade control to off- site monitoring via IP based cameras, from movie libraries to security control. You should consider every available technology, then visualize yourself actually living in the house, in every room, and envision how you would use that technology. Then prioritize what you want now, what you may want in the future, and plan for it via a detailed drawing and specification list. This allows your builder to plan for plasma TV’s (solid blocking in walls required), locate speakers, adapt HVAC equipment for integration, and much more that must be considered in the early stages of construction
7. Increase your expectations. Your home electronic system is a big investment and you deserve to be satisfied and even thrilled using it. The price of wiring, equipment, and controls have come down significantly, what cost $100,000 in 2002 now can be done for $20,000. Because technology is so affordable, push the envelope now, especially in the planning and wiring area.
8. Think “Green”. By utilizing green practices, you can save money by having a more energy efficient system. Your structured wiring system can work in harmony with your equipment in keeping your house comfortable, healthy, and operating at maximum efficiency.
9. Demand collaboration from your team. Hire the electronic systems contractor you can afford, and insist that your architect, designer, and builder, as well as certain subcontractors, work together as a team to plan and create the best system available within your budget.
10. Hire Allan Edwards as your builder! I have studied, researched, and implemented home technology for many years, and my company has the knowledge and experience to create the best team possible.