SmartHomeGuru

Check out my latest video tutorial on an advanced feature on the new Savant Smart App... How to Create User Scenes/Presets/Schedules without calling your programmer!

If you haven’t heard the news, Savant Controls; who acquired Lite Touch a couple years ago; announced in April to its dealers to be prepared for a major overhaul of how they go to market with lighting control. This overhaul includes the discontinuation of their hardwired lighting and keypad lineup this coming fall… I.e.: they have decided to shut down the Lite Touch division of Savant.

If you own an existing Lite Touch or Savant lighting system that uses keypads and remote dimmer modules, this should be of concern to you.

As you might expect, this obviously means if you need hardware to replace defective parts, you should either stock up now or plan to go shopping the used market. Fortunately Lite Touch components are rock solid and rarely fail unless induced by a power anomaly or lightning strike.

Perhaps what’s more of a concern is along with the product going away, Savant will not support the systems as they fall out of warranty. The fact that there are few authorized Lite Touch dealers left who really know the product, combined with Savant stopping support means when you have an issue, it’s going to be very difficult to deal with as time passes… Probably resulting in the need to replace the system.

The good news; if you can find a silver lining in this; if you decide to act now; at least our company has been authorized to offer a significant discount on alternate systems to replace any existing Lite Touch system.

These offers have been negotiated by our company; exclusively; to help clients so they don’t end up being “left in the dark” in the event of a problem. ( sorry for the bad pun… I know this isn’t a joking matter.)

While I tend to avoid trying to “sell” in my blog; I suggest those with Lite Touch systems at least look into alternatives before Lite Touch is completely gone. The reason; as long as Lite Touch is still around, their competitors have good reason to fight for your business; periods allowing you to get a much better price for hardware. Once they are gone; there is no incentive for them to offer any discounts…

While it may seem like a simple decision, picking a Smart-Thermostat that’s right for you requires you understand your actual needs.

Ideally, I suggest  consulting with a home automation designer or installer and simply following their recommendation, but, for those of us who are scared of being “sold” something or simply like to geek-out; here’s some considerations to start with...

- Do “I” want to be able to adjust the thermostat from my couch or while away from home? - Do “I” want to get an e-mail or pop-up notification on my smartphone when the kids adjust the temperature set-point above or below where I want it? - Do “I” want the thermostat to be part of a complete energy saving ecosystem, that can integrate harmoniously in with other subsystems to reduce energy consumption?  If so, you need to know what thermostats work well with said home automation system that will manage this ecosystem.

- Do “I” mind paying a monthly subscription to have the ability to control my thermostat remotely?  If not, you might contact your HVAC contractor and purchase from them.

- Do “I” really want Google collecting data about how I use my appliances? (which in the hands of a criminal could be quite useful for a number of different reasons) - Am “I” going to do this myself or hire a professional install the thermostat and configure it as part of a home automation system?  If it’s going to be part of a home automation system, it’s imperative you confirm the thermostat you select is going to work well with your home automation system.

- Is my HVAC contractor going to give me a problem installing something they didn’t furnish?  If the answer is yes, you might look for different contractor or find out if your home automation installer will make the HVAC system connections.

- Is there anything special about my HVAC equipment or wiring that might prevent me from using “any” replacement thermostat?  Most systems don’t require anything special but their are some that require specific thermostats with features that many residential smart-thermostats don’t have.

As for buying Smart Thermostats from HVAC contractors, as strange as this is going to sound, I would recommend against it in most cases.  Most notable reasons: 1) HVAC contractors rarely have anyone on staff capable of configuring or troubleshooting the network & smart-home parts of the thermostats; 2) Many models offered by HVAC contractors require a fee-based subscription for remote access; 3) You’re HVAC contractor is not going to know if or how well their thermostat will integrate with a 3rd party control system.

As a whole, integrators are often great at their craft… delivering technology solutions.  

Our company (www.stereotypes.biz) is often brought in to “rescue” home automation projects by companies like Crestron, Control4, Savant, Vantage, Lutron, etc. when they have issues with projects in Virginia.

Before we commit to take these projects on, part of our process to determining if the project can be salvaged, is to interview the client.  The goal of this 1st interview to sift through their emotions and determine the actual root of why things went awry.  While we certainly stumble across our fair share of poor craftsmanship among our peers, in large part (like 75% of the time) we determine the original home automation installer didn’t fail due to technical ability but rather because they lacked good business sense and/or project management skills.  In fact the most common problem was said home automation integrator simply failed to set and maintain client expectations.

For these reasons, it’s important you not only vet your home automation company’s ability to deliver the best hardware and technical ability; you also need to make sure they really understand business and project management best practices.

Some key questions to keep in mind when vetting integrators:

- How long have they been in business?

- Are they operating out of their car/garage, or do they have a real “brick & mortar” commercial business facility?

If they have a real facility, how long have they been there? Is their facility fairly neat and organized?

- How many employees do they have and what are their rolls?

- Can they provide you with a list of at least 5 references of clients who have completed projects similar or larger in scope (to yours)?

- Do they have any clients who will allow you to tour their homes?

- How are they going to manage your project, and who’s responsible for this task?

- If you are not having this done by a systems architect, are they capable of delivering the right documentation?  (Documentation should include a minimum of functional specifications, schematic drawings outlining cabling and architectural detail requirements, or at minimum spreadsheets that describe said details)

- What is their protocol for repair service after initial system deployment? A company which has a real process should be able to quickly: answer these questions, provide examples of design documentation/functional specifications, and their plan to manage your project.

In the event a company doesn’t appear to be good on the management side of things, but you are comfortable with their technical ability, you may consider using a 3rd party who can provide the necessary system architecture, specifications, design, management team and peer review.  For instance, (Globally) our company (StereoTypes.biz) is hired by architects, clients and even integrators to handle these services.  We design, create documentation, and manage the project on behalf of the client, architect or integrator.  In the event there is a problem with the client’s local integrator, we are able to quickly shift gears and find either another local service provider or complete the project internally.  If 3rd party management is desired, be certain to factor these services into your overall budget.  Typically these services are performed on an hourly and/or percentage basis.  For an initial benchmark for these services, figure on $3 - $7 per square foot, or 10% - 15% of the overall entertainment/technology budget.

Unless you’re talking about production-homes, condos or apartments, all systems are custom, thus really should be planned out.  You wouldn’t build your home without a plan, so why would you consider this be acceptable practice when installing all your technology?

You want to make certain that whoever is designing/specifying and/or installing the system is proving detailed schematic design which outlines wiring types,  requirements for proper installation and provide detailed functional specifications which clearly set expectations (for example, when you walk into a room and press the top button on the lighting keypad it’s going to turn on all the lights in the room and turn on your favorite music).

1 guess as to which lighting control system Chad Shell & Bill Bagwell of www.stereotypes.biz of Charlottesville & Richmond, VA did in this Lake Gaston, North Carolina home.

Needless to say, not the 2 on the left. This 2 gang Crestron switch control 8 lights plus volume for the music.

So what will your walls look like? Guess it depends if you call your electrician or Stereo Types of Richmond or Charlottesville.

Control & automation systems can be one of the coolest features you might add to your home or workplace when done correctly.  Unfortunately, they can also be a relentless nightmare when bad decisions are made.

This is not meant to dissuade you from considering control systems but rather to arm you with the right information so you don’t end up like so many clients; making poor decisions based on price &/or ignorance about the systems being installed, the capabilities/solvency of the integrator and/or limitations of the products.

The good news is if you follow my suggestions closely; which means doing your homework and making smart decisions; this will greatly reduce the likelihood of a terrible automation system experience.

So after determining your needs, the most important decisions you can make are:

1) Who is is going to design & specify the system?

2) If it'll be a company other than the specifier, who's going to deploy the system?

3) Will you have a 3rd party manage the technology project on your behalf to ensure deliverables are being met?

4) Do you feel confident the integrator will be around to service you after the system is installed?

The reason these are such important decisions; certainly more important than say the brand of control systems you’re going to use; is because control systems are "dumb boxes".  They get connected together as specified and programmed to work based on certain criteria.

It does't matter how great your black boxes are if the specifier or integrator cannot deliver the completed project.

If your system looks like the "before www.stereotypes.biz" on the left; I'm sure the way it looks is likely the least of your problems. 

Since we know most clients; and obviously many home theater and home automation companies don't realize the picture to the left IS NOT what your #Crestronelectronics or #hometheater racks should look like when complete, we figured we'd present an example of another recent system rescue we took on in February. 

There are a number of different types and different brands of lighting control systems.  

Many systems have the same baseline functionally whether it’s the cheap DIY (do-it-yourself) $40 - $80 per switch-leg system you saw online or the higher priced products that typically run more like $200 - $500 per switch leg and require professional installation.

If this is your first endeavor into lighting controls, there are a some key questions that you first need to answer in order to best determine the type of system you might ultimately end up with.

1) Why do you want the system in the first place or why is it being specified by your architect/interior designer?

Security reasons

Remote access to operate lights while away

All on/off features

Proper illumination of a room or area (meaning you actually use the multiple light dimmed legs the architect planned for; rather than just using 1 light switch that would illuminate the room too much under normal circumstances)

You want it tied in with a remote control or app that also operates many other systems; such as climate, security, entertainment systems, etc.

Because you think it's cool and/or you think your friends will also think it's cool (and no,  there is nothing wrong with you feeling this way; ego is;after all; what drives us to want things nicer that go beyond pure utilitarian purposes)

2) How will the system be installed, programmed & supported?

I'm going to have a professional handle it from soup to nuts.  Other than checking circuit breakers, I have no plans to service the system myself.

I'm going to have it professionally installed & programmed but want to have the flexibility to service & make programming changes myself if I choose to.  If it has a problem, I’d like to be able to resolve it myself, but will likely hire a professional if I can’t figure it out quickly.

I'm going to have an electrician install all electrical-related components but otherwise I plan to do most/all the work myself.  I still want to know I have the support of a local professional if I get into a jam.

I want to do it all myself.  When it breaks, I’m totally cool with not having any support other than user forums or sitting for hours on the  phone with a foreigner I can’t understand, trying to help me fix to problem based on what their computer screen says.

3) What level of tolerance do the people who will be using the systems have for issues when they occur?

It better be 99.999% reliable or heads are going to roll!  If there is a problem, I expect someone will attempt to address the problem by the next business day.

We understand all technology is going to have an occasional bug so long as it can be resolved quickly by professional I’m good with that.

We’re pretty patient within reason and can deal with technology not always being perfect.

We’re all geeks who love technology and know things break… it’s part of life.  If we can have the technology we’re happy, even if there is some bug that crops up that we can’t solve.

Once you’ve answered these questions; if you’re going to involve a professional; the next step should be to share your responses with someone who can help you begin the system design & budgeting process.  If you’re not going to involve a professional, hopefully wherever you’re going to source your system from can guide you correctly based on these initial considerations.

For more info on lighitng control systems, system design and/or definitions of terms used in this post which you don’t understand, feel free to contact me or see the Lighting Controls section of this blog:  http://smarthomeguru.tumblr.com/lightingsystems