Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Nov 11, 1999 08:52am | #1

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   No experience, but there is an extensive list of home automation resources at:

   http://www.infinet.com/~dhoehnen/ha/list.html

   One of the magazines on home automation had a listing of suppliers a few issues back, but I don't remember which one.
   "Electronic House" has a web site, but not much information:

   http://www.electronichouse.com/magazine.shtml

   I don't know if it is included in the above list or not, but there is a list of somewhat off-the-cuff home automation reviews at:

   http://www.hometoys.com/reviews.htm

   Another (expensive) option would be to have a computer in your vacation home hooked up to the internet. Then you could monitor all functions continuously from any internet terminal and could adjust any appliances that you had automated under control of the computer. You could even attach a video camera to allow you to view all the maurading squirrels or whatever that are passing through the place. I think there are FreeBSD sites and Linux sites that discuss this, but you would either need to hire a computer professional or become a real hacker to do this...

1. 
   Guest_ | Nov 11, 1999 10:21am | #2

   *For full remote telephonic control of your HVAC system, you could use the combination of Leviton's 6325 Telephone Responder and an RCS TX15 Remote Control Thermostat. You will not need any extra wires in the walls to set this system up. You'll have to add a box in your HVAC closet and another box somewhere in the residence connected to the phone line. The 6325 can control up to 256 modules. It runs around $125-$150USD. It may be limited in terms of how specific you want to get in customizing your home, though. However, for HVAC and turning on/off a few lights, it would work fine.Use the 6325 in conjunction with the TX15 remote control unit. A "dumb" unit (Heat/AC on/off) runs around $225, a bi-directional unit (it can also tell you the current temp in the house) is about $50 more.There are a number of possible hardware/software solutions to your problem. Get in touch with a home automation outfit and they can give you more specific advice.

1. 
   Guest_ | Nov 11, 1999 09:42pm | #3

   *I hate to be a curmudgeon, but is this really necessary? Most of the home automation gadgets left me with that Q. Anyway, you might also like:http://www.gohts.com/home/and...http://www.smarthome.com/

2. 
   Cole_ | Jan 04, 2000 11:31pm | #4

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   Building a vacation home and want to be able to dial in to raise heat/AC before we arrive. Also want to control several other functions and monitor systems. Anyone have experience with this? Supply sources?