 |
| EMagazine Volume 5 Issue 5 Oct / Nov 2000 |
Features |
|
|
|
New Products |
|
Free
Email Updates |
|
|
 |
| Home
Toys Article - October 2000 - [HTI Home Page] |
HomeTech Hot Products Continuously Updated [Click Message To Learn More] |
|
The Home Of The Future When designing systems, the earlier into the project you start the better off you are. Hard-wired systems take a lot of design time due to the fact that you need to plan for the wires to be run once the walls are up, but prior to the drywall application. One of the benefits of going with a soft-wired system is that the system design can be modified at any time during the construction process. |
|
In today’s market, technology is becoming more prevalent in the new home market. From “Smart appliances” to “Smart Homes” the face of the new construction market is changing rapidly. Where consumers once wanted upgraded flooring, cabinets, pools, or spas, today’s tech-savy home buyers want more. Amenities once considered only for the very wealthy are increasingly being asked for by a much larger demographic. As Generation X grows up, and become first home buyers, technology that the Boomers didn’t appreciate, want, or could afford, instead will be desired and expected. Having grown up with technology, this age group is quickly setting the standard for technology in the home. And not far on their heels is Generation Y who will demand even more technology in their homes.
|
There are several things to consider when adding technology to the homes you're building. First to consider is what level of automation or control you will offer, and how you will offer them. Will it be standard in every home, or will you offer a basic system as a standard with optional upgrades. Will it be by model? For example basic lighting is standard on one model, basic control on the next step up model, stepping up to full lighting and home control on your top home. Will you offer upgrades to buyers who start at one level but wish to add additional control at a later time?
Also you’ll need to consider the type of system you will be adding to each home - Hard-wired or soft-wired. There are many different systems out there, some hard-wired that require new or additional wires to be pulled in the home and some that are “ wireless” or soft-wired or that do not require additional or special wires to be pulled, but instead communicate over existing wiring via powerline carrier technology.
Hard-Wired Vs Soft-wired
Each one of these types of systems have different design, installation, programming and cost considerations. The type of system you choose should be carefully evaluated based on the following criteria:
Design considerations: When does the system have to be spec’d in the building process, what components of the system need to be in place prior to drywall, can the system be modified at the client’s discretion, is the system upgradeable, who’s installing the system?
Installation: When during the construction process does the system have to be installed, what wiring is necessary and who’s pulling the wire?
Programming: What type of programming is needed for the system to be operational, who is doing the programming?
Costs: What is the system going to cost, is it modular, can I start small and build on the original system, what other associated charges are there besides the equipment?
When designing systems, the earlier into the project you start the better off you are. Hard-wired systems take a lot of design time due to the fact that you need to plan for the wires to be run once the walls are up, but prior to the drywall application. With a hard-wired system, once you have decided on the design and installed the wiring, you are locked into that configuration after the drywall is up, unless you go back and fish cable through the walls which can be costly and time consuming. One of the benefits of going with a soft-wired system is that the system design can be modified at any time during the construction process. The is because soft-wire systems run on Powerline Carrier technology and utilize the electrical wiring already being pulled into the home. Many hard-wired systems can not be easily modified once they are in place, and may require lots of hardware even for simple functionality. At times hard-wired systems can easily slip into to design overkill to ensure future upgrades. While most Soft-wired systems are modular and completely upgradeable so you have the ability to start with a small system design and build upon it as needed or wanted. Another factor to consider in the design process is system upgrades. If the manufacturer brings a new improved product to market is the system you install today going to be able to upgrade to add the new features or does it become obsolete. Unfortunately most hard-wired systems do not allow for upgrades, where many of the soft-wired systems do. Any new components will be backward compatible with existing equipment.
Installation factors are primarily wiring, room by room hardware configurations and at what point in the construction process does each system component need to be installed. Hard-wired systems need to have the cables run after electrical cable is run and prior to drywall. Typical cabling for hard-wired systems include Category 5, twisted pair, coax, fiber optic, audio cabling, and often extra phone and data cabling for in home networking. There are numerous companies that offer structured wiring systems that address these needs or your systems integrator will provide the cabling as part of their bid. Soft-wired systems typically will not require any new or special cables pulled into the house other than having the electrician run a neutral wire to the electrical boxes for the switches. You will also need to have your electrician install slightly deeper J boxes than for standard toggle switches as the majority of the lighting and home control switches are deeper than standard toggles.
With hard-wired systems you will need to pull the appropriate cables to each room in the house where gear will be installed with the necessary terminations. For example a switch plate with two audio jacks, video jack, data port and phone line. Soft-wired systems will use the Powerline wiring so you will not need to make any special terminations for these systems. The hardware for either type of system will typically reside in an equipment room, closet or at a head end stack in the basement. User interfaces will be located through out the home according to the system design. User interfaces can include-touchscreens and touchpanels (both wall mounted and free standing), wall switches, remotes etc., depending on which system you use.
Programming can vary greatly from Hard-wired to Soft-wired systems both in complexity and cost. Most hard-wired systems are very time consuming, complex, and costly to program. Your systems integrator will do the programming for you and will also have to do any changes to the system’s program if needed once the system is installed. Soft-wired systems tend to be easier to program and some are very simple so that the home owner can easily modify his home system if he wishes.
Finally, is the cost factor. Hard-wired systems start around $15,000 retail (equipment only) and can go higher than $100,000, Soft-wired systems can start at $1000 retail for simple lighting control and go up to the $20,000 range. The cost factor is going to be determined by the level of control, the type of system, and the modular nature of the system you choose. Programming and wiring installation, if needed, will also affect your cost. Some manufacturers offer special programs to builders that can take a lot of the complexity of choosing a system, installing and programming the system out of the picture. Some of these programs include builder packages of pre-defined, pre-programmed systems.
SMART has a builder program that was designed to take the complexity of selling to builders out of the picture. For more information please contact Michael Avery at 505-521-6000
