Home automation is still evolving, and getting it to work requires knowledge of both household electrical wiring and computer networking. But once everything is hooked up correctly, it can change the way you interact with your home. We show you how you can use your smart phone as a remote control for your lights, heat and security in your home.
Home automation exists in the curious realm where screwdrivers and drywall meet PCs and routers. The category is still evolving--there are multiple, incompatible standards--and getting this stuff to work requires knowledge of both household electrical wiring and computer networking, but once everything is hooked up correctly, it can change the way you interact with your home.
Last month, I wrote about installing Insteon networked lighting in my home, which allowed me to link up switches and outlets throughout my house regardless of which branch circuit they were on.
The Insteon system works by sending data signals over radio frequency (RF) waves and your home's power lines. As each device receives a signal, it rebroadcasts it, creating a mesh network that bounces commands instantly from one end of the house to the other. It's an effective system for connecting lighting switches and loads without extra wiring, but it also forms the basis for a more sophisticated home automation network.
Meshed Networks
Insteon's SmartLinc bridges the home automation network with your local area network's Wi-Fi router (left) via an Ethernet cable. The SmartLinc serves up a Web page interface (right) for programming and controlling all of your home-control devices from a PC or cellphone. (Photograph by Brad DeCecco)
Home automation is a broad and even somewhat vague concept. And plenty of companies sell systems that do everything from basic lighting control to full integration of home entertainment systems, motorized window blinds, climate control and home security. Many of these "whole home automation" systems from companies such as HAI and Crestron are geared toward the installer market and can cost many thousands of dollars. Other systems, such as SmartLabs' Insteon and the competing Z-Wave system, tend to be more flexible and aimed at DIYers.
Obviously, since I had already outfitted my house with Insteon's lighting controls, it made sense to build upon that system. The first step was to integrate my networked lighting into my home's data network. Insteon has a variety of different network interfaces, but I went with the $120 SmartLinc controller. The SmartLinc serves up its own Web page on your home network, allowing you to control your system from a browser window on any computer in the house, or via cellphones with Wi-Fi capability.
Installation is simple: Just plug the SmartLinc into a wall outlet, then connect it to your Wi-Fi router via an Ethernet cable. The Web interface allows you to set up virtual On/Off switches for any Insteon controller.
More advanced users can even set up control of their home systems from outside the home network. By enabling "port forwarding" on your household router, you can access and control your systems from anywhere with Internet service.
