The Design Perspective

Home security systems are incredibly simple. When armed, the controller receives a signal from a door switch, motion sensor, or blass break sensor then proceeds to sound the siren and dial to a Central Station monitoring company. The Central Station calls the police, fire department, or whoever is on the call list.

With 99.99% of the installed security systems in the U.S., it’s functionality ends there. But what a waste of some great sensors!

Security systems are designed to inform you when unauthorized people are entering or moving about your house. The fact is, it knows someone is moving about the house but who’s to say that person isn’t you just getting up for a midnight visit to the Loo.  

A security & automation controller can use the security sensors to detect occupancy, then do things like turn on the lights, say 3%, to help you see your way. After you’ve left the area, the lights are automatically turned off again.

It’s not a far-out concept. When was the last time you had to turn on the interior lights when getting into your car. In fact, they usually turn on as soon as you unlock the doors by clicking your keyfob button.

Why shouldn’t your home do all this?

It can, and much more. This is called Systems Integration. Integrating all the electronics systems of your home to produce Synergy, resulting in the whole being greater than the sum of it’s parts.

Our security & automation controllers include such features as:

Automatically closing the garage doors if they are left open after midnight.
Chirping the master bedroom keypad if motion is detected near the bedrooms at night (good for detecting children who are sleepwalking).
Automatically turning on lights as you enter a room and dimming them after you leave.
Greet you with your favorite music when you pull your car into the garage. Even the volume level can be based on the time of day.
Automatically turn off all the TVs when you arm the security system and leave the house.
Turn off all the house lights when you arm the system at bedtime.
Text message your mobile phone when a guest, teenager, or worker arrives at the house and disarms the system.
Remotely control the system via your phone or secure internet.
Construction site theft is rampant and can cost a project thousands of dollars in lost materials and time. DistinctAV security packages can be installed in phases so your site is secured during construction. Our wireless solutions provide immediate notification of activity and can even include webcams to see your crews or simply view progress. No phone line is required and the wireless component can be re-used at your next site once the house is occupied.

This is just a small subset of what’s possible. The creativity of the system designer and some thoughtful engineering during the pre-wire design can open up a world of conveniences and luxury features in your home.

Howzeedooit?

My design team at DistinctAV publishes this monthly newsletter that is full of ideas that enhance your home and office.  If you’re remodelling, building, or just interested in the practical application of home electronics and controls, subscribe to The Design Perspective.