Sep 19 Home Automation - As additive as Crack
As the summer starts to draw to a close I noticed the the lights that I have on timer are turning on as it gets darker and darker. So twice a year I have to move furniture around to get at the timers. This year I decided that I want to look into home automation so my lighting can be set from the comfort of my office chair. I decided to go with an Insteon System for no reason other than they are located two miles from where I work at my day job. I ended up going with a starter package that included two lamp controllers, one appliance controller, a computer interface, access points for the mesh network, a remote control, and software. The total cost was about $420 at the Mac Home Store. The system I bought works with both Macs and PCs the only difference is that you need software that runs on your platform. On the Mac I am using a package called Indigo. On the PC you can use a package called HouseLinc but there are others as well.
Setup
The setup was straight forward. The entire process took about an hour. First I installed the two access points. This ties your power lines to the devices plugged into your walls. Then I connected PowerLinc to the computer and installed the Indigo software. The last step was to install the LampLincs and ApplianceLincs. Once the physical installation is complete its time to setup the software. You have to add devices and that's done by providing a 6 digit address code. The software finds the devices and adds it to the database. Once all your devices are added you setup actions and that's where the fun starts.
Actions
The software allows you to create actions for each device. For my very simple setup I configured the lights to turn on 15 minutes before sunset. You can input the Latitude and Longitude of your location and then the software will adjust the actual event each day. The software allows for defining action groups. Think of them like macros for your remote control but this macro controls lights, shades, and anything else Insteon controls. I have just begun to scratch the surface of this and will continue to add to the system as time goes on. I am $420 into this and see me easily spending another $420 in the near future. So far the wife really likes what I am doing.
Odds and Ends
The Indigo system comes with an iPhone app that controls your system which is pretty cool. There is a way to get at your system from the Internet. I have not set that up as I will remote access into the computer that's running the Indigo software. My system also has a remote control that I have not setup since everything is setup on time triggers. There are all kinds of devices that you can control:
- HVAC/Thermostats
- Input/Output Devices
- I/O Linc Kits
- Remote Control
- RF Receivers
- IR Products
- Motion Detection
- Lamp Control
- Appliance Control
- Keypads
- Wall Switches
- Wall Outlets
- Leak Detection
- Irrigation
- Accessories
- Audio and Video
After one day of this I want to put every wall plug on this network. This is very addictive! I'll keep you all posted as this habit progresses!
Reader Comments (7)
This sounds like exactly what we need. I have one light on a timer and it always seems like its going on just a half hour late (even after I make a change). And with all the other things it can control, this system sounds too good to be true for that price. I think I'll check it out. Thanks for the heads up!
Do you know if this will interfere with exisiting powerline networks that are already in place? I have a couple of PC's and some Directv DVR's that are on a network and wonder if the two networks can work in concert with one another?
Hey,
I just decided to read some of your stuff since I haven't been on here in a while and it's Sunday at 7AM and I'm bored waiting for football to start. Anyway...you got some really good/useful information and I'm glad I brag about you to my friends. Keep up the good work
Papa Bear
Hi Brad,
I have a powerline setup for some low bandwidth devices. The two seem to co-exist pretty well. However, I just completed a test of the Belkin Gigabit powerline adapter and found that it didn't work very well at all. It could be due to the Home automation stuff. I will have to try again after I disconnect all the home automation gear. We'll be taking about the powerline adapter on Friday.
Ara
Ara, this is such a cool sounding setup. I've been wanting to get into it but don't really know where to begin. I know you guys focus on media, but is there a chance you may be reviewing this system on the podcast? If not, is there any good reference you could point me too?
Hi David,
We'll talk about it in a few weeks. I want a little more experience with the system. I've also reached out to the manufacturer to see if I can get a demo at their office.
Have a great week!
Ara
Ara - Im glad you have decided to jump on the HA horse especially with Indigo because they are a good company and have a very responsive and helpful forum at perceptiveautomation dot com. Be careful though it really is addictive. I have a leak detection setup in the laundry rm and air handler closet that will turn off the a/c and send an email if it starts to leak, which it has and that doesn't bode well for wood floors .
WELCOME
Paul