The Official Smarthome Blog - All Things Home Automation

For the first time ever, Smarthome is offering you the opportunity to purchase one of four whole-house INSTEON solutions at a discounted price. Based on sales data and customer surveys, we put together NetLinc kits that include the most commonly used and requested INSTEON devices, or if you know what you want, simply create your own kit:

For a limited time, each kit will feature discounted INSTEON products and a free iPod Touch.

NetLinc - INSTEON Central Controller is an affordable and flexible central controller perfect for enhancing any INSTEON home automation network. NetLinc integrates INSTEON technology with any web-enabled mobile device through Wi-Fi and cellular communication, allowing you to control or create timers for INSTEON devices or scenes from inside your home, in the backyard, at work, in the car or on vacation halfway around the world! Whether you are a DIYer, an electrician, or a home automation integrator, you will enjoy the ease with which programming and discovering of INSTEON devices is accomplished. A simple plug-in installation sets up in minutes and will allow a web-enabled phone or PDA to control your INSTEON network from almost anywhere. NetLinc has been designed for optimal use with an iPhone or iPod Touch as a mobile touch screen; however, there are customizable user-downloadable server applications that provide a flexible interface for any web-enabled device. As and added feature, NetLinc includes IP camera support, giving you the versatility to incorporate watching and controlling your IP enabled surveillance cameras through you web-enabled interface. NetLinc puts the power of managing your entire INSTEON home automation network in the palm of your hands.

• Allows mobile web-enabled devices to remotely control INSTEON compatible devices
• PC-free timers offer an On and Off time for every INSTEON compatible device or scene
• IP camera support allows for remote surveillance and camera control
• Customizable web interface makes controlling INSTEON compatible devices easy
• Optimized for iPhone and iPod Touch for superior touch screen look and feel
• Price: $119.99

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When it comes to automation control of 220V high current devices, SwitchLinc - INSTEON 220V On/Off Switch removes the guesswork and provides you with an all-in-one solution. The switch comes in a weatherproof case with pre-configured wires, mounting hardware, and a transparent cover that will allow you to see the status of the controlled device. There is no need to open the box for installation, simply identify the labeled wires and connect one set to your breaker panel and the other set to the high current appliance you wish to control; an electric water heater, pool pump or motorized gate, to name a few. Once everything has been wired, you will have a manual On and Off control locally from the switch in the box; For remote On/Off control of your 220V appliance, simply link SwitchLinc - INSTEON 220V On/Off Switch with any other INSTEON device that you wish to control the high current appliance. Envision being able to schedule times for your pool pump to run or being able to turn it On or Off at the touch of a button. Imagine having the ability to shut off your water heater from a keypad on your way out the door or remotely while you are on vacaation. Your air conditioner, pool pump and water heater all operate on higher voltage, requiring vast amounts of energy to operate. SwitchLinc - INSTEON 220V On/Off Switch lets you efficiently control the use of heavy duty appliances and take a step towards saving energy and cutting down on utility costs.

• Control 220V devices up to 30 Amps from any INSTEON or X10 controller
• Economically priced solution for controlling heavy duty appliances
• Conveniently pre-assembled in a weatherproof housing for outdoor installation
• Easily wires between a breaker panel and a high current appliance for safe and easy On/Off switching
• All components are safety tested and approved
• Price: $99.99

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Introducing the world’s first INSTEON motion sensor: It turns on your INSTEON lights or appliances when you enter the room and turns them off after you’ve left. INSTEON Wireless Motion Sensor will immediately send a radio frequency (RF) INSTEON command to linked INSTEON devices when motion is detected. Truly automating your lighting, INSTEON Wireless Motion Sensor is perfect for areas your home such as the laundry room, closets and the garage where lights commonly get left on. Link it to up to 417 lights or appliances, activate a thermostat or use it as a sensor to turn on your stereo. Powered by a 9V battery, it requires no additional wiring. Additional features include an ‘Off’ countdown timer delay, night-only mode, adjustable motion sensitivity, 150+ wireless range, 40-foot field of vision and a pivoting mounting bracket. INSTEON Wireless Motion sensor is a must-have for any INSTEON home automation network as an addition that will make your life more convenient, fun and energy-efficient.

• Built-in countdown timer automatically turns lights off 7 minutes after you leave
• Optional night-only mode allows you to keep your lights off during the day
• Adjustable high/low motion sensitivity provides flexibility of motion sensor placement
• Remotely control up to 417 INSTEON devices
• Excellent range - over 150′ from nearest Access Point or RF INSTEON device
• Price: $34.99

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This EZIO6I by SimpleHomeNet allows virtually any sensor connected to one of the six inputs on the interface module to send out a signal or group command to INSTEON devices. You can detect and monitor external events by using a smoke detector to have all the lights in the house flash when triggered, or a temperature sensor to activate your thermostat when the temperature gets too high or too low, the applications are virtually endless. You can create timers that send commands after a pre-set amount of time, from 1 second to 255 minutes, and change the behavior of the inputs relative to INSTEON commands that are sent, the group, number, the order of commands, etc. The EZIO6I works with several home automation software programs such as mControl, Homeseer and Indigo, each sold separately. Alternatively, you can use a free SimpleHomeNet Utility Suite software to setup your device. The interface module is a plug-in device, so you can eliminate long run wiring complications by simply plugging the device in at the closest point to your sensors.

• Inputs can be used to trigger INSTEON commands
• Four opto-isolated inputs for dry-contacts or digital signals
• Two digital or analog level inputs
• Individual timer settings for each input
• Plug-in connection with pass-through outlet
• Price: $104.99

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May Contest Winner:Mike Riccio

Out with the Old and In with the New

Since the beginning of home automation, developers have created products that make controlling lights and appliances convenient. There are many different companies out there, some with products that only control a few different lights, some that are very expensive, some with products that are not very dependable and some that simply have products too difficult to install. At Smarthome, our engineers came out with INSTEON just over three years ago, with the goal of offering products for your entire home that are convenient, affordable, reliable, easy to install and fun to use. Smarthome would like to congratulate the May winner of the Smarthome Home Control Giveaway, Mike Riccio, who has taken advantage of the power that INSTEON home automation products have and incorporated them with several other automation systems.

Mike and his wife have been using X10 products for years, and while happy with what they were originally designed for, like many other people they were unhappy with the reliability of X10 communication. In September of 2007 they purchased a new home in San Carlos, CA and decided to upgrade from the old X10 automation and use new INSTEON products as the backbone for their home automation system. Mike uses Indigo INSTEON Software for Mac to control all of his INSTEON devices from his computer. His INSTEON devices start with a pair of Access Point Phase Couplers for communication across electrical phases and via radio frequency (RF); and a PowerLinc USB Interface which allows for communication between his computer and the INSTEON network. According to Mike, “…altogether, I have 33 SwitchLinc Dimmers, 9 SwitchLinc Relays, 2 KeypadLinc Dimmers, 1 In-LineLinc Dimmer, 3 LampLinc Dimmers, 1 ApplianceLinc On/off Module, and 1 RemoteLinc Remote Control.” In addition to the standard lighting and appliance control, he has created scenes that include stairway lighting, alarm triggered lighting, exterior accent lighting, automatic bathroom fan control and virtual 3-way circuits. He really likes the fact that the switches are more attractive than the standard ones that came with the house and that he can control everything from his computer and via the web.

Outside of lighting Mike has installed an intercom system, whole house HDTV video distribution from a central location, IR control, Universal remote control, and much more. Right now he is “currently researching adding solar panels to our house to power all of this equipment in a more environmentally-friendly (and more cost-effective) manner.” While he has not yet decided what he is going to do with his winnings, certainly some new devices are in mind like the INSTEON Controlled 7-Day Programmable Thermostat, INSTEON IRLinc IR Receiver and the INSTEON 8 Button Keypad Countdown Timer with Dimmer.

Congratulations again to Mike Riccio, a true Smarthome enthusiast!

Enter the Smarthome Home Control Giveaway now to win $500 of INSTEON-compatible products. The next winner could be you!

Why spend tens of thousands of dollars on a lighting control system through other high-end home automation systems, when Artemis can achieve the same lighting control for a fraction of the price? The Artemis V2 INSTEON Controller acts as a centralized, stand-alone, world-class lighting automation controller for INSTEON devices. Additionally, it creates a portal to integrate INSTEON devices with AMX, Crestron or RTI home automation systems. You can still take advantage of the other great features that the aforementioned home automation systems have, while saving a bundle on the lighting control using a combination of Artemis and INSTEON.

Artemis can trigger actions from sunrise or sunset time (based on the built-in astronomical clock), a fixed time of day, INSTEON remotes or sensors, or even IR remotes. Built-in commands make it easy to tackle complex, but common tasks. Installation requires no special tools, just a Windows PC, as the lighting set-up can be done with a web browser (Internet Explorer). Add dimmers, design scenes, set timers, and let Artemis program all the switches for you. When you’re done, Artemis will run on its dedicated hardware without a computer. For basic external control, IR remotes such as Universal Remote Control can learn the IR codes for Artemis. Simply attach an optional IR sensor, and teach the Artemis codes to your remote.

For larger applications, an Artemis V2 256 Device INSTEON Controller is available, sold separately.

For AMX dealers wishing to add Artemis to hardware they provide, the Artemis V2 64 Device INSTEON Controller (Software Only) is available, sold separately.

• Stand-alone controller for up to 64 INSTEON devices or scenes
• Integrates INSTEON with AMX, Crestron, or RTI home automation systems
• Built-in astronomical clock, timers, event sequencing and sunrise/sunset events
• Tracks and reports status of all INSETON devices
• Set-up, programming and management all done through a web-browser
• Price: $2999.99

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Indigo 3.0 is home automation software designed specifically for the Macintosh (Mac) operating system. With support for INSTEON-compatible products, the software can control all the devices over the existing electrical wires in your home, including lights, sprinklers, security systems and more. You can program specific action events to occur based on a variety of variables, including time. For example, you can program any lights to turn on and off at specific times, or at sunset. You can also use an optional time randomizing feature for an at-home look while you are at work or on vacation. Indigo 3.0 gives you access to your home automation system from anywhere in the world using the built-in Web server. With this innovative Mac home automation software, you can even create delayed actions (i.e. turn off lights after 10 minutes of no motion being detected). Your Mac will become an intelligent home automation server, offering unprecedented control of your INSTEON or X10 devices via computer, remote control operation, and timed or conditional variables. Using Indigo 3.0 to manage the use of your lighting, appliances, HVAC, sprinklers and more, can help reduce costs for your utilities and conserve energy at the same time.

• Client/server application can remotely control and configure your home automation system
• Works with INSTEON- and X10-compatible products
• Compatible with the PowerLinc USB
• Price: $199.95

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Melding luxury and technology with an environmental-friendly design, the 2007 New Southern Home – a showcase house at the 29th annual Southeast Building Conference (SEBC) – uses INSTEON switches, keypads, and dimmers to control all the lights in the 10,200 square-foot home. Focusing on incorporating “green” technology into the home, the builder, the James M. Krantz Construction Corporation, chose INSTEON for its ability to reduce energy costs as well as for its affordability and ease of installation and use.

The Home

Located in Orlando, Florida, the 2007 New Southern Home boasts two stories and the latest and most innovative products available in the marketplace. In addition to its 6 bedrooms and 7 full bathrooms, the “southern cottage” styled home features a media room, a recreation room, multiple garages and more. The mission of the 2007 New Southern Home, the 19th built for the SEBC, is two-fold: to celebrate innovative and creative architecture, building and interior design, and to educate the homebuilding industry and consumers.

Energy Savings
With energy costs for lighting alone accounting for more than 20 percent of a typical home’s electricity costs, the INSTEON lighting-control system was chosen for its ability to keep electricity costs down. Using INSTEON switches, keypads, and dimmers, the home’s lighting system remotely turns lights on and off and reduces intensity so lights will never use more power than they need in order to reduce energy costs.

“We looked at the other lighting systems on the market and, after talking with our electrician, chose INSTEON because of its lower cost and easy set-up,”
- Roland Krantz, Vice President, Krantz Construction.

Convenience
The 2007 New Southern Home has 56 INSTEON keypads and 200 INSTEON light switches to manage lighting throughout the home’s living spaces, inside and out. In addition to energy savings, INSTEON technology also adds convenience to the home.

The 2007 New Southern Home will be open for tours the first Sunday of every month from September through December of 2008 from 10am to 5pm.
The New Southern Home is located at: 3880 Anderson Road • Orlando, Florida 32812 For more information, please visit the New Southern Home Website.

Bridging the gap between home automation and audio video components usually requires the purchase and advanced installation of expensive control system hardware and controllers. The EZUIRT Universal IR/INSTEON Transceiver # 5010H by SimpleHomeNet is an affordable plug-in solution that will allow communication between devices on an INSTEON and/or X10 network with audio video components. The EZUIRT recognizes the codes sent out via IR remote control and translates them into INSTEON and/or X10 commands. This allows you to control INSTEON-compatible devices (lighting, fans, appliances and HVAC) or scenes with the same remote used for your entertainment equipment (Television, CD player, DVD player and stereo). EZUIRT is also an IR sender, which will convert INSTEON and/or X10 commands to IR codes that your A/V equipment can readily understand. With the press of a single button from your INSTEON-compatible device, you can create a scene that will turn on your air conditioner, cable/satellite receiver, television, stereo, fireplace, and dim the lights.

• Allows an IR remote to control INSTEON and X10 devices
• Use an INSTEON command to control an IR device
• Functions as an IR distribution hub
• LED indicator for code confirmation
• Easy installation
• Price: $109.00

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