Control Systems Turn House into Hands-Free HomeBy Steven Castle
Savant and Vantage combine to make this energy-saving home a breeze to operate.Picture a home that turns on and off lights automatically as you walk through it, delivers music everywhere through high-end speakers and is controlled by iPads and sleek and simple in-wall touchpads.
Cost a fortune?It often does, but not here. A home systems package with an Apple-based Savant home control system, high-end Vantage lighting controls, whole-house audio and some very nifty tech tricks came to about $48,000—still a hefty price for many but well short of the Wall Street bonuses often required to enjoy this level of home automation.
Perhaps even better, this high-tech home is green. An energy-efficient design, sustainable materials, lots of insulation, energy-saving LED lamps, and the Savant and Vantage systems combine to make this home comfortable and environmentally friendly.
Hands-Free LightingStart with the hands-free lighting. Door contacts and motion sensors used by the security system identify when a room or hallway is occupied and turn on the appropriate lights to preset levels. After someone leaves the space, the lights switch off.
Click here to continue.Click here to view photos.
