The Official Smarthome Blog – All Things Home Automation

How cool would it be to have your lights dim, your curtains close and all of your home theater equipment turn on when you switch on your TV? This advanced scene is actually very easy to accomplish with just a few INSTEON devices and an hour or two to install.Getting started

Below is the diagram we are working from. As you can see, this is a very simple setup, but once you understand the concept, you will easily be able to expand on this to accommodate your personal needs.

The basic premise here is to have the SynchroLinc (which the TV is plugged into) act as a scene trigger for HouseLinc 2. This scene will dim the lights, close the curtains and power on the A/V equipment each time the TV is switched on.Equipment List

For this demonstration we are using the following products:

1 SynchroLinc

2 ApplianceLincs

1 SwitchLinc

1 Motorized Drape Controller

1 HouseLinc 2

NOTE: You will also need an internet capable PC or Laptop to run the HouseLinc 2 software.

Step 1- Install and configure HouseLinc 2 (if not already installed). Please click here for instructions on installing and configuring HouseLinc 2. If you already have INSTEON devices installed in your home, take some time to get familiar with the HouseLinc software before moving on.

Step 2 – Install your motorized drape controller. Note that for the equipment used in this demonstration, you will need curtains with a U-shaped cord loop.

Step 3 – Install your SwitchLinc dimmer (multiple SwitchLincs or LampLincs can be used for your personal preference). Please click here for instructions on installing the SwitchLinc dimmer. Note: Unless you are comfortable and fully familiar with home wiring and electricity you should have this step performed by a licensed electrician.

Step 4 – As shown in the diagram above; plug your television into the SynchroLinc, you’re A/V equipment into ApplianceLinc #1 and the Motorized Drape Controller into ApplianceLinc #2

Set 5 – Link all of your INSTEON devices in HouseLinc 2 (click here for more information on linking devices in HouseLinc 2).

Step 6 – Create a new scene in HouseLinc 2 and name it to your preference (click here for information on how to create a new scene in HouseLinc 2). Make sure that the SynchroLinc is set as the Scene’s controller, add all of the other devices to the scene (drag & dropping into the “responder” pane works). Set all of the device preferences for the scene, such as the dim rate and percentage of the SwitchLinc dimmer(s).

You’re Done! Now, each time you turn on your TV this event will run.

The one caveat with our setup is that you will have to power cycle the drape controller each time the scene is run. You can accomplish this with another event that powers the ApplianceLinc connected to the Drape Controller off then on each time the event runs.

On a final note, in HouseLinc 2 you can create conditions so that your curtains don’t close at night or the lights won’t turn on in the day. The possibilities for customization are nearly endless!

We hope this helps some of you get off the ground with some of the more advanced features INSTEON and HouseLinc 2 have to offer. If you have some of your own solutions, submit them here.

Each year a large number of people suffer from allergens, rhinitis, asthma and other respiratory diseases. Airborne biological contaminants such as MRSA, Influenza virus, Corona virus, and other allergens are threatening our healthy lifestyle. The Virus Zero SP-PA6 Desk or Wall Mount Ionic Air Purifier from Samsung uses cutting edge SPi (Super Plasma Ion) technology to purify the air from contaminants to help you and your family to maintain a healthy life. SPi technology keeps us safe from those air contaminants by eliminating biological contaminants and by neutralizing the OH – radicals. The unique environment-friendly technology of SPi surpasses that of previous air purifiers. While purifiers simply filter the inducted air, SPi emits active hydrogen and oxygen ions into the air inhibiting infection by airborne viruses and destroying airborne bacteria, fungi and allergens for a much cleaner, healthier environment.

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*Since we strive to provide you with the lowest prices, prices are subject to change.

Enjoy a full night’s sleep by listening to music with the wonderfully soft SleepPhones, the world’s most comfortable headphones for sleeping. A family physician developed these innovative, high-quality headphones to help patients fall asleep naturally, without drugs. Regular headphones and ear buds are simply not comfortable to wear all night long. The ultra-comfortable SleepPhones are held in place by a soft, fleece headband, so they won’t fall off or cause your ears to ache after a couple hours of use. Sleephones can be worn to with the wire in the front or in the back of the headband to match your sleep style. Sleephones are so comfortable you may replace them with your regular headphones for ordinary, everyday use.

Lightweight and washable, the wicking fleece headband contains thin, removable speakers and plugs into most audio devices. Connect the SleepPhones into your iPod, MP3 player or CD player and fall asleep listening to your favorite soothing sounds. The SleepPhones keep the headphones close to your ears all night, so you won’t have to deal with the background noise you would hear with a normal sound machine, such as snoring spouses, barking dogs or street traffic. Additionally, a SleepPhones Sleep CD has been included which feature binaural beats that have been scientifically engineered into the background to slow down your brainwaves and help you fall asleep. You can also log onto to http://www.acousticsheep.com to download additional binaural beats to use with your SleepPhones for free. Read more

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*Since we strive to provide you with the lowest prices, prices are subject to change.

Living off the Grid- Environmentalists have long advocated for “living off the grid” — that is, living in a home powered by the renewable energy of the sun. Environmental benefits aside, a “green” house can make your home more attractive to home buyers and boost your home’s resale price. In the end, you just can’t put a price on the future of our planet.

The Benefits- Solar-power products bring convenience, simplicity and flexibility to your life. Most solar products are easy to install and requires no power cables or wiring, adding convenience and safety. For example, solar yard lights are set-it-and-forget-it products; you simply take it out of the box, stick it into the ground, and never worry about it again.

Moreover, solar cells require no moving parts, helping solar-powered devices run silent. Like a hybrid car, having fewer moving parts means less overall maintenance and thus a longer-lasting product.

Solar Solutions for the Everyman- While most people lack the means for putting up solar panels on their roofs, smaller-scale solutions exist that also reap the economic and environmental benefits of solar power. Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or not, solar-powered devices offer a variety of simple and inexpensive options.

Below we’ll take a look at affordable options that virtually anyone can install and use.

1. Solar Powered Yard Lights
Powered by the sun and requiring no power wires, just stick the waterproof Solar-Powered Yard Lights along the walkway to the front door of your house to provide a well-lit and welcome path for your guests. A photo sensor turns the lights on at dusk and off at sunrise, so you only have to flip the switch to “ON” once.

2. Solar Powered House Address Lights
Tired of missing important packages and visitors because no one can read your address number after dark? On the wall or on a stake, the Solar-Powered House Address Lights easily install with a couple of screws. Light sensors regulate the light, and with just four hours of sunlight, the rechargeable battery will power the sign for three full nights. A detachable solar panel lets you get maximum solar exposure up to eight feet away.

3. Solar Powered Floodlight

Install an outdoor motion-detecting floodlight without any professional assistance. The Solar-Powered Floodlight installs easily in minutes. An integrated photocell maximizes battery life by only turning on when dark.

4. Solar Pool Purifier

Too much chlorine in your pool can cause health problems. Use the solar pool purifier to keep your swimming hole healthy and clean by cutting chlorine usage by 80 perceent. Drop the device into the water and it will start to release mineral ions into the water to halt the growth of algae and other microorganisms.

5. Solar Timers
The Aube Solar Timer Switch lets you program your porch lights to turn on at sunset and off at sunrise based specifically on your geographical location. The programmed ON/OFF times adjust automatically as the seasons change. Best of all, the Solar Timer Switch works like a standard switch, letting you control the light without affecting the programming.

Visit our full list of Solar & Energy Savers!

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The Flipit! is the USB charger lets you charge all of your USB devices, even when all AC outlets are in use. It is designed for smartphones and other devices that charge via USB, with the exception of the iPad, and require less than 10 Watts. All you do is insert any existing AC power plug through the tab, then plug into a wall outlet or power strip and within a few seconds, you are ready to charge. The Flipit! works great on wall outlets and surge strips. It is CE, RoHS and Prop65 compliant and contains a UL recognized USB charging circuit.

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*Since we strive to provide you with the lowest prices, prices are subject to change.