Favorite Things To Do With Home Technology

Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work with products that have a good value now, but also save money throughout the ownership of the home. Get energy savings through lighting management, irrigation control, solar energy, and temperature control. Lower monthly bills-how can you say no to that?

Enjoy the comfort of your home. Avoid crowds, uncomfortable seats, and the rising cost of going to the movies. Design a dedicated home theater with rumbling chairs, kick-ass sound, and of course-sound proof! Or, utilize a multi- purpose room to enjoy movies with the whole family.

Rest assured. Know your family is safe while at work loging on via the web. Receive email messages when your kids get home from school and disarm the system. See video of who is at your door, or just use sensors to let you know when someone is trying to enter unannounced.

Getting a little soggy? Be warned when a leak is threatening to turn into a flood. Some systems can detecat as little as 1/8 inch of water and alert you by phone.

Baby it's cold outside. Call from the airport and bring temperatures back up via cell phone call or your PDA. Never come home to a cold house again!

Having a party? One click of a button and you can have music, lighting, and temperature set just how you like it! Set similar scenes for dinner, movies, romantic evenings, and whatever else you can think of!

Bumps in the night. Immediately hit the "all lights on" button and illuminate your whole home!

Document it. Installation of wiring is essential to every project. Although the wiring is going to get closed up in the walls, it should also be prepared for future upgrades. Document what you do so you know exactly where the original wires begin, end, and how they connect to current components.

Holiday lights. Help control your utility bill by turning lights on at sunset, and off at a designated time.

Has it rained? Don't waste water the lawn if it's rained in the last 48 hours. Let your automation and irrigation systems work it out amongst themselves.

©2005 Architechtronics, Inc.

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

Jennifer Shatos holds a degree in Visual Communications Specializing in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Seattle. Jennifer frequently attends educational seminars to keep on the cutting-edge of business, along with trade shows and other events in the home automation and security industry.

Visit http://www.architechtronics.com for more information.

Related News

First Western Trust Bank Opens New Office in Denver Tech Center - MarketWatch First Western Trust Bank Opens New Office in Denver Tech Center MarketWatch -16 hours ago First Western's new location, at 5460 South Quebec Street, Suite 200, is a full-service office, providing private banking, investment management, personal... Cancer-stricken swimmer on comeback trail - International Herald Tribune Cancer-stricken swimmer on comeback trail International Herald Tribune, France -7 hours ago Shanteau finished second to Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte in the 200-yard individual medley, beating his personal best when he touched in 1 minute, ... Can Clean Tech Beget ... - InternetNews.com Can Clean Tech Beget ... InternetNews.com -22 hours ago "We found new ways to use personal computers and solve things." Now, he adds, the demand for energy is more, not less. Deninger, speaking at the AlwaysOn ... Padlock your personal data - PSU Collegio (subscription) Padlock your personal data PSU Collegio (subscription), KS -12 hours ago Low-tech scams include mail theft, dumpster diving, rummaging through rubbish containing personal information, solicitation and shoulder surfing, ... Indiana seeks high-tech edge over Illinois - Gary Post Tribune Indiana seeks high-tech edge over Illinois Gary Post Tribune, IN -23 hours ago "You're competing directly with Chicago and the state of Illinois, which don't have the personal property tax. This is where tech districts come into play ... AMD lowers revenue target, cites weak demand - MarketWatch AFP AMD lowers revenue target, cites weak demand MarketWatch -12 hours ago ... said AMD's move highlights the softening tech market, particularly for PCs. Intel and AMD are the top makers of microprocessors for personal computers. ... Three local tech companies lower earnings forecastsAustin American-Statesman AMD Warns of a Revenue ShortfallBusinessWeek all 207 news articles 10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover" - MarketWatch 10 Things You Can Do to Give Your Computer a "Makeover" MarketWatch -Dec 2, 2008 This according to BluePhone ( www.bluephone.com), the personal tech support hotline and "At Home Help Desk" that helps consumers get maximum value out of ... Personal Tech: Army to use video games for training - Salt Lake Tribune Personal Tech: Army to use video games for training Salt Lake Tribune, United States -Dec 1, 2008 It will watch trends in commercial video games and look for technologies that can be used in training -- but it does not plan to compete with the industry. ... Washington Post Personal Technology Columnist - Washington Post Washington Post Personal Technology Columnist Washington Post, United States -14 hours ago 4 at 2 pm ET to discuss recent reviews, answer your personal tech questions and provide gadget advice for this holiday season. Read Rob's latest tech tips ... Personal Tech: Digital cameras go big on video - Salt Lake Tribune Personal Tech: Digital cameras go big on video Salt Lake Tribune, United States -Nov 24, 2008 By Ron Harris AP Writer The holiday season brings good tidings for shutterbugs. Whether you're shopping for someone new to digital cameras or a seasoned ...