One of the things that we haven’t thought very much about yet is home autmation. Ironic really given my work background.
As always the starting point with this sort of project is a set of requirements. Let’s see if this list makes sense……
Lighting
- Control of indoor and outdoor lighting including dimming
- Timed e.g. outside lights might come on at dusk for 4 hours and then turn off
- Preset “scenes” that might control multiple lights e.g. “Welcome” turns on the outside lights at the front, the porch lights and the hall lights, “Good night” that turns off all the internal lights
- An “away” mode that simulates normal patterns of usage while on holidays or working away
Remote control
- Ideally via a browser that would allow remote access
- Web pages that could be integrated into other sites
Door bell
- Programmable intercom that connects to mobile phone when in “away” mode
Gate control
- Programmable intercom that connects to mobile phone when in “away” mode
- Remote opening and closing of the gate via SMS
Remote viewing
- Web access to remote camera
Heating/Hot water
- Programming via browser
- Zoned (temperature control and timed)
- Remote control
Music
- Zoned music
- Moisture proof speakers in bathrooms
User programmable
- Relatively easy to program
- Does not require supplier to program the system
Networked
- Cat 6 to be used throughout the build
- No real requirement for a media server, although “connected devices” will be used
- Private and guest wifi