| You sit down on your couch, grab the TV remote | | | | weeks ago, you turned all the lights off to save |
| and turn on your television. Without getting up, | | | | energy. But you don't enjoy returning to a dark |
| you select your favorite TV program and enjoy | | | | house -- especially if you live in a dark area. For |
| home entertainment. Voila! This is home | | | | your own safety you wish you could turn on your |
| automation made simple. You're making | | | | post lamp and your porch light before you arrive |
| technology work for you in your home. If you | | | | home. |
| think about it, you can name numerous other | | | | Control your home lights via internet |
| ways technology is already making your home life | | | | You already have high speed internet service in |
| more comfortable, more enjoyable and more | | | | your home. Your wireless router and internet |
| efficient. Read on to see how home automation | | | | modem are in place. You simply connect your |
| can be made simple. | | | | existing router via an ethernet cable to a smart |
| There is a lot more to home automation that TV | | | | automation controller that plugs into a nearby |
| remote control. New products are constantly | | | | power outlet. Then you then plug your porch lamp |
| coming on the market that make it possible to | | | | into another smart module and plug that module |
| automate numerous other household tasks. You're | | | | into a nearby power outlet. After you set up your |
| missing out if you are not taking advantage of | | | | system you are ready to go! |
| these new products. | | | | You can check via the internet to see whether |
| If you're planning to build a new house, by all | | | | your porch lights are off or on. You can instruct |
| means consult with your builder about including the | | | | your controller to dim the light. You can instruct |
| wiring and home infrastructure necessary to | | | | your porch lamp to turn on automatically at |
| automate your house for 21st century. It will add | | | | sunset, and turn off at sunrise. |
| value to your home. | | | | How does this work? |
| You may be thinking that automation is very | | | | It uses technology that communicates both |
| expensive -- requiring specialized skills and | | | | wirelessly and over the electric power lines |
| high-priced products. Think again! | | | | already installed throughout your house. There are |
| If you have an existing house that is not | | | | products on the market today that are designed |
| pre-wired for automation, you can select the | | | | to work together with maximum functionality. |
| tasks you would like to automate and install | | | | Expand your home automation system |
| products that are designed to do that specific job. | | | | The starter system that you set up to control |
| It is not expensive -- you may be able to do the | | | | your post lamp and porch lights can be expanded |
| work yourself. | | | | to do much more. Dimmers and switches, |
| How to get started | | | | hard-wired outlet modules, plug-in modules, |
| Pick a task that you would like to automate. | | | | thermostats controls for heating and cooling, |
| Suppose you would like to control your home | | | | garage door controls, and much more -- all can be |
| lights via the internet. Let's say you're off on a | | | | controlled as long all the devices are compatible |
| vacation holiday. When you left home a couple | | | | with each other. |