When equipping your home with the best in modern technology, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is how to control all the various components in your system.
The first thing to do is to take stock of what you want to control, and what you want to be able to make it do. Typically you'll end up with a list that includes some or all of the following:
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Electrical appliances: Turn on, turn off.
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Lights: Turn on, turn off, dim up, dim down.
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Audio-visual devices: Select source, select channel, volume up, volume down.
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Curtains & blinds: Open, close.
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Gates & garage doors: Open, close.
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Heating systems: Turn on, turn off, increase temperature, reduce temperature.
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One you've decided what you want to be able to control, you need to establish what event will trigger an action from any particular device. For example:
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When you tell it to.
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According to what time it is.
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According to the prevailing light level.
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According to the temperature.
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Acording to whether someone or something is present.
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Finally, you need to decide how you want to control your equipment. Options include:
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By using a switch connected directly to the device.
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By using a timer switch.
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By using a remote control (which may be specific to the device or a 'univeral' remote).
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By using a wall-mounted keypad.
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By means of a sensor which detects temperature, light level, movement, or the presence of an electronic 'key'.
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By sending instructons from a personal computer.
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By calling on the telephone or sending a text message.
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By accessing the device over the internet.
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