Popular Trends in Home Technology

As a former home automation installer and a former manufactures rep, I have observed many trends. The following items are certainly the hotest trends this year in home technology.

VoIP (pronounced Voice over IP) refers to making telephone calls using your high-speed internet connection. This technology is gaining ground very fast, as new users are discovering it is 50-75% cheaper the comparable standard telephone service and congress is standing behind the technology for now, no taxes or legislation to mess it up ? yet... The a catch? Several more variables in losing your dial tone: Power outages, internet downtime, and equipment failures are just a few problems you may encounter using VoIP. Also, If you are dropping the standard phone line, and you have a security system you will need a cellular or radio back up for safety reasons.

Retrofit home theaters. With the cost of movie tickets approaching $10, it makes it quite expensive for families to enjoy movies and snacks at the theater. There are new techniques and processes to install a home theater in your existing home. Many of the processes are for noise reduction, so you don't have harmonic vibrations in the home, or annoy your neighbors. Living in a townhouse, row house, or other multiplex homes, you can now "pump up the volume" with bothering others!

Security Cameras. Many cities now require visual verification prior to dispatching emergency services. Approximately 9 out of 10 alarms are false. Cameras in the home can quickly verify that the alarm is actually triggered by a burglary. In addition, many new parents are now installing cameras to check in on their children while they are away to ensure safety.

Home Offices. Today more and more people telecommute. The reasons may very- but the fact is home offices are now becoming a necessity for many homeowners. Proper planning can provide you with all the technology you need in either a new home or a remodel. If you are ready to start thinking about your custom workspace, keep the following in mind: your personal work style; essential services such as Internet & telephone; and office needs such as printing, wireless networks, file storage and audio distribution.

Lighting Controls. Reliable lighting control used to be reserved for the wealthy. The rest of us were reduced to live without lighting control or the unreliable X-10 technology. In the last few years two new technologies arose. UPB (Universal power line bus) and RF (Z-Wave). These new products have provided us with more selection, more reliability, and the best part-they cost about the same as the major branded X-10 products.

Energy Savings. Recent energy cost have us all looking for ways to reduce the utilities budget in the home. Home Automation is stepping up to the plate. Home automation can manage the thermostat (typically the largest load in the home) based on actual occupancy rather than when you think you will be home. Lighting is the second largest load, home automation will turn off the extra lights when they are not needed. Using motion sensing, occupancy sensing, and other types of lighting controls, home automation can shut the lights off behind you!

Did you enjoy this article? Receive other exclusive articles & stay on the cutting- edge of home automation & technology! Join "The EDGE" today-it's free! http://www.architechtronics.com/edge.html

Brett Griffin is co-founder of Architechtronics, Inc. He has 12 years of experience in the technology industry and strives to help builders, dealers, and homeowners "get to know home automation & technology." Visit http://www.architechtronics.com for more information.

©2005 Architechtronics, Inc. All rights reserved.

---

Pergo Flooring Is Perfect For The Home or Office

Pergo flooring was invented more than 75 years ago, and... Read More

Colour Your World With Art

When you buy art, you may think you not consciously... Read More

Ten Things You May Not Know About Selecting Hardwood Flooring

1) Red Oak is not the only choiceIf you want... Read More

Chairs, Rocking Chairs and Other Comfortable Places To Park It!

A chair is one of the best inventions ever made.... Read More

Buying The Right Bed Sheets For Your Bed

You spend a lot of your life in your bed... Read More

Interior Design Simply Means Personalizing Your Interior Environment

Interior Design today is all about customizing your built environment... Read More

Hot Tub Heaven

What will your next home improvement project be? Will it... Read More

Breaking Away from White Wall Paint

Paint is one of the most affordable and easiest ways... Read More

Heated Driveways: Who, What, Where, When, Why, & How

What are heated driveways? The obvious answer is, "a driveway... Read More

Single Pane Glass Repair in an Aluminum Frame, Part 2

This week we are going to continue our series on... Read More

Remedies for a Wet Basement

A wet basement can be just a nuisance or even... Read More

Luxury Bedding is More Than Just Thread Count

Thread count is the most widely referred to term when... Read More

Bamboo Flooring for the 21st Century

Bamboo flooring has emerged as a new material for the... Read More

Planning Permission Tips UK - Garage Conversions - What Value Do They Add?

Most conversion works to an existing structure is often more... Read More

Spring Deck Prep Tips

It's finally spring! Time to move out the patio furniture... Read More

Consumer Guides: Finding A Quality Contractor and Power Washing Tips

Power washing is the application of high pressure water spray.... Read More

Skip Troweling Method for Textured Ceilings

There are several ceiling texture choices to choose from when... Read More

Color Help: Color Imagery for Happy Homes

Color researchers have estimated that up to 70% of our... Read More

Strongly Scented Candles: Use your mouth, nose and eyes to tell

Triple scented, heavily scented, strongly scented - these are all... Read More

Swim Spas Make a Big Splash with Baby Boomers

If you are an aging baby boomer like I am,... Read More

Log Homes for Beginners - 10 Steps to Success

For those who may be thinking of building a new... Read More

How to Install a Ceiling Fan - A Simple Guide

A Complete manual on how to install a Ceiling Fan... Read More

Deck Building Ledger - The Secrets to Successful Deck Construction

The Deck Building Ledger holds all the secrets to successful... Read More

How to Buy a Home with Good Feng Shui

Buying a home is usually a stressful experience. So much... Read More

Log Homes - Whats Different About Log Homes?

Newcomers to the world of log homes will notice that... Read More

Reduce Noise to Reduce Stress: Sound Advice From the Rug Doctor

Maybe getting the silent treatment at home isn't a bad... Read More

Replacing Steel Casement Windows (Part 2)

Last week, I explained how to remove your old steel... Read More

Planning Your DIY Project

Ready to start your first serious DIY project? Read through... Read More

Use the FHA Mortgage Specifically Created for Home Improvement

Almost everyone knows about FHA mortgages. They are tailor-made for... Read More

Interconnects for Your Audio/Video System - Choosing The Proper Cables

Research & Development I began designing audio and video interconnect... Read More

Single Pane Window Glass Repair in an Aluminum Frame

Let's suppose you still have those old aluminum single pane... Read More

Buyers Guide For Modern Mailboxes

Modern mailboxes are made predominately from cast aluminum or stainless... Read More

Corrugated Roofing Materials Used for Roofing Any Structure

The roof is a very essential element of the house,... Read More