| If you were a small child growing up in the 70's I | | | | now is the time. |
| am sure you remember watching the "Jetson's" | | | | From a security stand point and in a world where |
| on TV and thinking how cool it was to see Judy | | | | crime, burglary, and home invasions exists and will |
| Jetson talk to her husband, George on a TV | | | | continue to exist, to have a home look "lived in" |
| monitor while both of them were in different | | | | even when you are not at home, is priceless to |
| rooms of their space-aged home. Well hang on to | | | | say the least if it means protecting your number |
| your seat because the "Jetson's" way of life is no | | | | one asset - your home and your family - from |
| longer just a figment of someone's creative | | | | such acts of violence. |
| imagination. That once "spaced-aged" technology is | | | | With gas prices at an all time high with little to no |
| here and is quickly gaining popularity all over the | | | | relief in sight, more and more homeowners are |
| world. | | | | looking for ways to save money on their bills to |
| Let's face it, most of us live a fast-paced, hectic | | | | compensate for the pain they feel at the pump. |
| lifestyle where time is a precious commodity and | | | | Home automation systems with motorized |
| anything that can save us time we welcome with | | | | shading solutions that adjust automatically based |
| open arms. Home Automation is designed to do | | | | upon the position of the sun outside can help to |
| exactly that. It gives you the ability to integrate | | | | conserve energy and as a result, helps reduce the |
| and activate household electronic components | | | | amount of time your air conditioner turns on and |
| such as interior and exterior lighting, a security | | | | stays on. This feature alone can translate into |
| system, whole house audio and video, irrigation | | | | significant savings on your utility bills. |
| systems, thermostats, appliances, and CCTV (just | | | | As our insatiable appetite for the latest, sleekest, |
| to name a few) all from a touch of a button. | | | | and greatest technologies continues to grow, so |
| Imagine waking up in the morning and from the | | | | too does the demand for people who install and |
| moment your alarm goes off, lights automatically | | | | maintain them. With so many system and/or |
| come on, the shades automatically adjust to the | | | | product options to consider when selecting a |
| position of the sun outside, the coffeepot begins | | | | home automation system, a certified electronic |
| brewing downstairs, and your favorite jazz CD | | | | systems contractor (ESC) or more commonly, an |
| starts to play softly in your bathroom. All of this | | | | electronic systems integrator, can make the |
| before your feet even touch the floor. | | | | time-consuming process of product selection and |
| Now you are ready to leave for work, you simply | | | | system evaluation a whole lot easier for you. |
| push a button that has been pre-programmed as | | | | So where exactly do you find an "ESC" in your |
| "away" and your security system arms itself, the | | | | area? The best place to start would be to consult |
| lights and audio system turn off, the thermostat | | | | CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & |
| adjusts to "energy-saving" mode and your | | | | Installation Association). Founded in 1989, this |
| irrigation system is set to water the lawn at 4pm. | | | | international trade association is made up of more |
| Welcome to the world of home automation. | | | | than 3,500 members worldwide that specialize in |
| For added peace of mind, most home automation | | | | the design and installation of integrated electronic |
| systems will allow you to access, change, and | | | | systems for the home. CEDIA members are |
| monitor your system from your telephone and | | | | established businesses, possess credible |
| the Web. Through special programming, you can | | | | qualifications, proven experience, and are insured. |
| elect to receive alerts from your telephone or | | | | Aside from the countless conveniences and |
| through email informing you if the alarm has gone | | | | time-saving benefits that come from a |
| off, or the irrigation system failed to turn on, or | | | | professionally installed home automation system, |
| when your children have arrived home from | | | | it's also an investment in your home and can |
| school. So if you have never considered home | | | | substantially increase the value of your home as a |
| automation options for your home before, maybe | | | | result. |