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When you walk into a smart home, what do you expect to see? A robotic maid? A cacophony of gadgets flying around? When you walk into a Control4 smart home, you should see simply—a home. But some amazing things will be going on beneath the surface, even if you can’t see wires and control boxes spread out everywhere.
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In the first edition of #SmartHomeChat we were joined by 30+ different users including media, custom integrators, fellow industry manufacturers and tech-loving consumers to share real, truly valuable information surrounding the evolution of today’s smart home. The conversation was certainly fast paced, but was chock-full of home automation information, testimonials and of course some humor. Check out our recap here...
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Participate in the First #SmartHomeChat When: Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. EST (12:00 p.m. MT) Topic: Smart Home Technology, Trends & Insights Click for more details and information.
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The primary function of any home automation system is, well, to automate the electronic systems in your house and to let you control them easily and succinctly through devices like smartphones, tablets and touch screens. At certain times, and under certain conditions like first thing in the morning or when you swipe an icon on your tablet, an automation system can turn lights and A/V equipment on and off, raise and lower motorized window shades and regulate the thermostats. But there’s more to an automation system than its ability to put your home on automatic pilot...
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Thanksgiving has the potential to get pretty chaotic. With all the cooking that needs to be done (add to that guests arriving and football blaring on the TV), it can be pretty easy to lose a degree or two of thankfulness. Here are 4 great smart home ideas that will help you kick off the holiday season just right.
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We couldn’t help but wonder what people of today think the “house of the future” will look like—or what they want in their own futuristic smart home. So we took a survey and compiled some of our favorite responses...
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A realtor wouldn’t dream of selling you a house without understanding your needs and wants (or “must-haves” as they’re known these days). The same goes for the professional who designs and installs automation systems. Here are 10 tips on how to effectively work with a home automation professional.
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Home automation has been inching slowly into the mainstream, and with new do-it-yourself focused systems hitting the marketplace hard and heavy, consumers are faced with the decision on whether to tackle the setup of a home automation system themselves or to hire a home systems professional to do the job. There are many good reasons to pay for a professional, and the good news is that most manufacturers have implemented technology into their systems that can streamline the programming and installation process significantly. Here are five reasons that’ll make you think seriously about hiring a home systems professional.
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When designed and installed properly by a trained, knowledgeable home systems integrator, a home automation system is able to perform some amazing feats. This goes for systems offered by Control4, as well as many other home automation products on the market. Where the differences between systems often lie is in the engineering of their control platforms. For example...
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Because your family doesn't live their lives the same way as the people next door, your home shouldn't function the same way either. When you life the automated life, the things your home can do to make life more enjoyable and convenient for you and your family are virtually endless. Check out our infographic to see just a few of the many ways a smart home can function throughout the day, saving time and energy as well as giving you added peace of mind while you are away.
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Maybe you’re looking to turn your neglected garage into the ultimate cinema experience. Or perhaps you want to enhance your family movie night with a few updates to your existing home theater. No matter your vision, here are 8 must haves for the perfect automated home theater.
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This week, the transition from Summer to Fall is officially upon us. The changing seasons can oftentimes also change daily routines and even the way you interact with your home. Perhaps the Spring is a time when you enjoy nightly visits to the hot tub. In the Summer you may aim to get out of the house extra early to take advantage of the great weather. Fall may be a time where you spend countless...
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In this issue of Home Smart Home, enjoy a peek into other people's lives from all over the globe. You'll read how home automation technology is making its way to a pocket (or two) of paradise to ensure island dwellers always stay stress-free. You may also learn a tip from an NFL’er on how to keep games front-and-center, even when you're off the field, and downstairs in the basement. And if you're impressed by such a man cave, just wait until you see the fan cave we captured and documented near Chicago!
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Think back. Can you remember what it was like to change the channels of your TV manually? When channel surfing and volume tweaking meant bouncing back and forth between couch and console? Although folks from the generation that remembers these antiquated modes of control may not have realized it then, this was highly inconvenient. Fast forward to the era of handheld remote, where we have all the necessary buttons for finding and enjoying a TV program right at our fingertips.
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Since we live in a technologically-saturated environment, I’m now able to watch the Frozen movie and listen to the soundtrack at home, on the deck, in the backyard, in the car on the way to work, at the office, and in my head while I’m trying to fall asleep. At least one benefit of this same technology is that I can finally control my thermostat with those same devices. Now when the princess freezes the town, my Honeywell Smart Wi-Fi thermostat can chill the room to help my girls get the full effect.
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Lighting is one of the biggest opportunities for homeowners to subtly but effectively influence the ambiance of your home, whether for your own comfort and convenience or to set the mood for your guests. When skillfully applied, lighting can elicit a wide range of emotional responses, helping to make a party more cheerful or a romantic dinner more intimate.
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Just like a new coat of paint or updated countertops, electronic systems should be part of a remodeling plan. Back in the early days of home automation, most systems were designed to be installed while a home was under construction. It was a wise strategy. The new housing market at that time was strong and healthy, so there were plenty of new homes to wire up for automation, security, lighting and whole-house A/V systems...
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From time to time, your Control4 dealer may have announced upgrades available for your Control4 home automation system. But your Control4 system has been working great—so why “fix” something that isn’t broken? Well, let's talk about it...
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Home automation is fun! It really is. It’s exciting to be able to control all of your devices from one interface and be able to program “scenes” that allow you to turn on your TV, lights, and adjust the temperature, all from the push of a single button. But in order to really understand just how cool home automation is, you really must experience it, not just read about it...
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As 2013 comes to an end, we wanted to take a look back at some of our favorite video projects from the past year. We have had the joy of experiencing some pretty amazing places with some incredible Control4 customers. Their stories have been interesting, heartfelt, or just plain kooky—but all of them have been theirs—simply one-of-a-kind—and their home automation systems have been built to complement their individual lifestyles. Feel free to travel with us down memory lane...
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As the housing market continues to heat up, it's interesting see what trends are changing. Are people still looking for big walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances and spacious kitchens? Sure. But there are signs that times are changing. Earlier this year, Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate published a survey of the next generation of homebuyers, 18-35 year olds who are challenging the traditional norms surrounding home purchases. It turns out high-tech features are top on the list of features homebuyers are seeking.
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We had houseguests this week, and watching their reaction to my smarthome was really a fun experience. It served to remind me how much home automation has already changed my life, and how much it could change the lives of others.
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This week, we are breaking down the smart home with a cool infographic tour. There are so many different ways you can automate your home, making it work for YOU by complementing your specific and unique lifestyle...
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Lighting is such an important aspect of a home, yet it often goes unnoticed. Lighting enhances aesthetic appeal while also managing energy consumption and providing comfort. A well-lit kitchen provides us with an opportunity to gather and share stories over a meal. Lighting in the theater room lets us enjoy a cinema-like experience from the comfort of our couch. And a brightly lit exterior enhances the look and feel of a home while also providing added security.
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My wife and I have lived with the benefits of distributed audio and video in our home for years and now we can't imagine living without it. It's just one of those things that becomes a part of your family routine and adds to the enjoyment of being at hom
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