Home Automation

Shane732

I'm currently looking at buying an apartment and will be doing some work on it before I move in. As part of the work I'd like to try and work in some sort of home automation system.

In terms of the audio in the apartment I'm thinking of getting some Sonos equipment to get multi room audio.

My knowledge of home automation is pretty basic in terms of the technology actually working in the background. However, I would like to be able to control heating, lighting etc... If the Sonos could be built into it, great.

Being able to do it remotely would be great.

So I'm looking for a couple of things -

Do any of you have any good links that would give me a better understanding of how the concept works?
Who are the market leaders in terms of hardware?
What companies have the best names in Dublin?

Cheers.

Shane732

No ideas?

lovehathi

what about "lutron"

manufan16

What about 'KNX' ?

DeeJunFan

If i was you and wanted something staightforward i would go with Vera. There are some Zwave sites in ireland were you can buy everything you need.

There is also a Sonos plug in so you should be able to get music playing with scenes etc.

Zwave is a wireless home automation protocol so you don't need to re-wire. Just plug i the router, install the switches and away you go. there are also some pretty good free apps for control with apple or android.

bluesteel

I have a Sonos, it's great but I've not wired it and it's never been an issue;

I control my Sonos from phone or iPad - works great especially with the new update; not sure what you'd gain by "integrating" the whole thing -

Have you considered the Belkin home automation - simple but I'd guess a lot cheaper

DeeJunFan

bluesteel wrote: »

I have a Sonos, it's great but I've not wired it and it's never been an issue;

I control my Sonos from phone or iPad - works great especially with the new update; not sure what you'd gain by "integrating" the whole thing -

Have you considered the Belkin home automation - simple but I'd guess a lot cheaper

Your talking about 200 euro for a vera lite. then plugs switches etc can be any zwave supported switch.

sonos can still be controlled stand alone but integrating allows you to create scenes which can include playing music dimming lights etc.

Shane732

DeeJunFan wrote: »

Your talking about 200 euro for a vera lite. then plugs switches etc can be any zwave supported switch.

sonos can still be controlled stand alone but integrating allows you to create scenes which can include playing music dimming lights etc.

Yup, exactly!