Home Automation

I have been into Home Automation for about 15 years and it’s really where I got started with computers and programming.  I started out with X10 equipment and a Smartlinc HouseLinc controller and quickly filled up the usable amount of space that the unit could handle with events.  When I moved into my new home, I switched over to HomeSeer and have been adding devices and events ever since.

I currently use Insteon and have over 150 devices in the house and over 1200 events that run based on multiple triggers.  Every light switch and fan are on the system and multiple other devices are also controlled or monitored providing a very automated lifestyle.  I have motion sensors located throughout the inside of the house and outside of the house that trigger different events based on logic.  I know when someone arrives at the house because the house says “Motion Detected – Driveway”.  If the guest walks to the front or back door, they are greeted with a “Welcome” message and told they can ring the door bell if the wish but that we know that they are here.  If they do ring the door bell, a door bell chime sound is played and it’s spoken what door they are located at.  If we are not at home (the alarm is armed), a text message is sent to notify my wife and me that someone rang the door bell.

Almost everything is connected.  My garage doors, freezers, HVAC, irrigation, incoming water supply, all lights, fans (including bathroom exhaust fans), TV’s and A/V equipment (through IR control) just to name a few…

I have 18 cameras inside and outside the house that record real time video 24/7 onto a 8tB storage array.