| There is absolutely no chance that you have never | | | | systems as being a collection of subsystems. I take it |
| before heard the term "home automation" mentioned in | | | | every one of you understands that a subsystem is a |
| a wide range of situations. It has somehow become a | | | | system that can also operate by itself, in order to offer |
| topic of common interest, as each and every home | | | | all the benefits of a whole system to a homeowner. |
| owner has the dream of having such an automation | | | | The most frequently installed subsystems are the |
| system installed. However, do all these people actually | | | | security, lighting, entertainment and heating or cooling |
| know what it means? Do people have a clue about | | | | systems. Some people might also have devices like |
| pre-programmed or plug-and-play systems? I guess | | | | motorized drapes and basic appliances installed. A |
| not! Alternatively, is it the experts who need to decide | | | | home automation system puts two or more |
| what the term refers to? This is a very tough question, | | | | subsystems under the control of one central controller, |
| as no matter how many of them you might ask, you | | | | so that the press of one button can issue several |
| will never get the same answer twice! | | | | commands to a variety of different electronic |
| Generally speaking, a home automation system is | | | | products. |
| intended to automate your entire home. It will trigger | | | | Most of the whole-house systems have two main |
| events and routines involving the security contacts, | | | | components, as their builder designed them: a central |
| lighting devices and audio/video gear. These home | | | | processing unit and user interfaces. Homeowners may |
| automation systems will also control the heating or | | | | choose to use interfaces such as keypads, touch |
| cooling system based on the time of day, temperature | | | | screens, handheld remotes or a PC to interact when |
| or any other condition that the owner of the house | | | | necessary with the different systems connected to |
| might select. Therefore, when a sensor detects a | | | | the automation central processing unit in their homes. |
| vehicle in your driveway, a home automation system | | | | The main point of this matter is that each automation |
| could turn on the lights, so that you will not have to do | | | | system has a different degree of intelligence, level of |
| it yourself. The installer of such a system must by all | | | | flexibility, ease of programming and other features. The |
| means be an electrician, so that nothing will go wrong. | | | | prices can also very a great deal, according to the |
| Some people might see these home automation | | | | functionalities they provide. |