The Official Smarthome Blog - All Things Home Automation

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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If you are looking for an affordable introduction to home automation, this kit is an excellent solution. The set comes with three main parts, a remote, a plug-in On/Off receiver, and a plug-in On/Off Dimmer receiver. The remote is used to control each of the included receivers (and up to eight additional receivers, sold separately), set timed events, create scenes and lighting modes. It also has an LCD screen which makes programming a cinch. The On/Off receiver will control the load for most standard lights or appliances. The On/Off Dimmer receiver will control the brightness level for most incandescent and halogen lamps. You can manually turn either receiver on or off at the unit or via the remote control. Add personalized mood lighting for any occasion and include fluorescent or non-dimmable lights, fans, and other appliances to create a unique scene. From the convenience of your couch or bed, you can remotely control lights and appliances just as you would your TV and AV equipment. This remote control requires three AAA batteries, sold separately.

• Three-in-one kit includes one transmitter and two receivers, expandable to 10 receivers
• Everything you need to get started with automation of lights or appliances
• Remote On/Off and dimming control
• Program timed events, group scenes, random on/off, and a shut-off delay mode
• Remote Control, On/Off module, and On/Off Dimmer module each with an LCD screen
• Price: $45.99

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Rising utility costs have everyone looking for ways to conserve energy, and one of the easiest ways to do this is by only running your heater and air conditioning when you’re at home. With the 7 Day Programmable LCD Touchscreen Thermostat, you can customize your home’s heating, cooling and humidifier system according to your schedule, not everyone else’s! This extremely flexible thermostat has four built in programs that you can use or you can you program up to four different schedules for each day of the week; you can even copy settings from one day to the next. What really sets this thermostat apart from others in the same class is that it is an LCD touchscreen. No longer do you have to look for tiny buttons or switches, or guess what the actual temperature is on a dial, the huge LCD makes it is easy to view the temperature and change settings. The 7 Day Programmable LCD Touchscreen Thermostat is perfect for anybody whose schedule varies throughout the week or has a regular schedule and is home on the weekends. You have full control with the touch of a finger anytime you decide to make an adjustment or set a program to create the perfect home temperature.

• Menu driven, easy-to-read backlit LCD display with touchscreen interaction
• Simple temperature scheduling, up to four pre-set or custom programs per day
• Automatic heating, cooling and humidifier systems
• Automate schedules for optimal comfort and energy savings
• Price: $129.99

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Traditional surge protectors and power strips allow for multiple devices to plug in to a single power outlet. However, they don’t account for the size that many bulky power adapters take up, rendering receptacles blocked and unusable. They also don’t take into consideration coaxial and telephone protection, leaving your cable components and phone lines open for damage. The cleverly designed Surge Ro-tector 6-90 incorporates six 90° rotating receptacles which permit large power adapters to fit side by side and across from each other in one compact unit. In addition, there are in and out low loss coaxial connections and telephone jacks (one in two out) positioned at the bottom of the power supply to provide protection for your cable and phone system. A savvy consumer will use an all-in-one surge protector like this to solve their power protection (up to 2160 joules) and connection problems.

Also Available: Surge Ro-Tector 8-180 Adjustable Power Strip

• Six receptacles rotate 90° that allow for 6 standard and non-traditional plugs
• Ultra low loss coaxial input and output to protect your cable, antenna, or satellite system
• Protected 1-in / 2-out telephone jack connections
• Surge rating of 2160 joules
• Illuminated protection indicator and ground indicator
• Price: $29.99

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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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Through the use of Superna ControlWare™ and ConfigNet™ Software, each sold separately, the computing power of a PC or MCE can be used as a complete home automation control center and media serving device. The Superna ControlPort™ takes this a step further by allowing control of infrared, serial or relay devices, utilizing your PC or MCE. The ControlPort becomes part of the Superna home automation network with a simple USB connection. It will allow communication between a broad range of household appliances and systems through Superna and other interfaces devices. Integrate total digital control by creating customized settings and scenes for lighting, HVAC and media systems throughout a home.

• Uses the power of a PC or MCE to be a home automation controller
• Enables a PC or MCE to control almost any infrared, serial or relay devices
• Affordable solution for connecting appliances and systems to a home network
• Power and information transmitted through a USB connection to any PC or MCE
• Price: $200.00

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This Programmable Wall Switch Timer is designed to be a replacement for your standard indoor On/Off wall switch. It has a heavy-duty 1800W load capacity while giving you the ability to manage up to 20 different On/Off programs. Being able to schedule on and off times for lights and appliances can greatly reduce the amount of electricity consumption, by limiting the hours a switch can be used. Programs can be set to daily times, to a specific period, or to everyday of the week. Additionally, the switch has a built-in daylight savings function, random function, and a countdown timer feature. There is an LCD display that shows time in 12 hour or in 24 hours format and makes accurate programming easy to do. The large On/Off switch is actually a clever casing that hides all the programming buttons, and if you need to access them the switch simply flips up. This switch is a great choice for replacing any single pole or 3-way application where you want to add a large load, timers, or energy conservation.

• Manual and programmable On/Off switch handles up to 1800W
• Up to 20 different programs and timers can be set including random and count-down
• LCD display with clock, in 12 hour or 24 hour format
• Built-in backup battery for memory retention in case of power failure
• Price: $31.99

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