What is Home Automation?
We've all seen the news
or TV shows about celebrities' luxurious homes, where remote controls
activate just about anything in the house. And most of us have seen The
Jetsons, where everything is automated and futuristic gadgets allow
their home to do amazing things. It makes it seem like Home Automation
and the "smart home" of your dreams is impossibly futuristic and only
affordable to the rich and famous.
That couldn't be further
from the truth. Home Automation is the way of the future and the future
is now. And by no means do you need to be a millionaire to enjoy Home
Automation. You can outfit your entire home with X10 Home Automation
for around $10-$15 per outlet!
Home Automation can be
many different things. For some, it may be remote lighting control. For
others, it may be setting your lights and temperature on a schedule to
conserve energy and make sure you come home to a warm, well-lit house
every night. Some people use Home Automation for added security, some
for instant alert lighting when someone rings the doorbell (perfect for
hearing impaired people). Whatever the use, Home Automation provides
thousands of solutions for every type of person on any budget.
As you can see, Home
Automation is much more than using a Universal Remote or a simple light
timer in your home. It has come a long way since it was first
introduced it in the 1970s. It has become a lot easier to use and much
more affordable than it was back then, however, the technology used in
almost all Home Automation systems remains the same - X10 technology.
Whether you want to control your home by remote, tabletop controller,
PC, via the Internet, from your cell phone or make everything
motion-activated, you can do it with X10 technology.
What is X10 technology?
Since X10 came up with
X10 technology more than 30 years ago, it has become the standard
technology used in Home Automation systems worldwide. It is a type of
power line control protocol that allows communication between
transmitters and receivers by sending signals over your existing house
wiring. It allows you to set up a home control system easily without
adding any additional wiring.
In simpler terms, you
have a controller, which can be any number of things including a simple
plug-in device, a wireless remote or motion sensor and transceiver or
even your PC. The controller sends commands through your home's power
lines to turn on, off and adjust your lights, appliances, thermostat
and more.
In even simpler terms,
X10 Technology allows you to control your lights, appliances and more
using wireless remotes, plug-in controllers, motion-activation or your
computer.
The History of Home
Automation
X10 technology was first
developed in the mid-1970s. This revolutionary Home Automation
technology was first made available to the public in 1978, sold at
Radio Shack, followed by Sears & Roebuck and others. X10 has
since expanded, manufacturing wireless products for other big name
electronics companies such as Philips, IBM, RCA, GE, Magnavox and Radio
Shack.
X10 technology has been
around a long time. Since it's introduction more than 30 years ago, the
technology has matured, allowing for a vast array of uses. It has also
become much easier to use and affordable to anyone and everyone.
Today, many companies
manufacture Home Automation, and it is used in millions of homes all
across the globe. But aside from X10, nobody can say that they've been
designing and manufacturing Home Automation products for more than 30
years. The fact that the actual technology used in the vast majority of
Home Automation systems worldwide is named after us should tell you
everything.
Home Automation
Compatibility
One of the great things
about X10 is that all of our products work together. That means
expanding an X10 Home Automation system is easy! All of the remotes and
controllers can control all of the lighting and appliance modules. The
Home Automation products work with the security system and the camera
systems work with our lighting systems, etc. Sound confusing? It's
really not! Just know that if it's all X10, it will work together in
perfect harmony.
Plus, like we mentioned
earlier, many other companies use the technology, meaning that many of
their products are also compatible with X10 Home Automation systems.
For example, ADT security systems come X10-ready. All you need to do is
add the modules and remotes and you have a complete Home Automation
system. Also, Insteon products (most of them, not all) are compatible
with X10 Home Automation systems.
If you're building a
brand new home, many home builders can build-in X10 Home Automation.
However, most people do not buy brand new houses. Luckily, X10
technology sends it's signals over your existing house wiring and works
with the lights and appliances you already have. And since X10
technology operates wirelessly, adding Home Automation to your home is
a breeze!
|
) 
