There was a time not too long ago, when a computer was nearly as big as a house. Now, computers not much bigger than a day planner can put you in control of an entire house and everything in it. In the past 10 years, we've used hand-held remote controls to control the lights and ceiling fans in nearby rooms. Now, we can control the lights all over the house, the television, room temperatures and every other electrical device from a the same hand-held device, a wall-mounted touchscreen, your laptop or a PDA regardless of where in the house – or the world - we might be.

The computer - the brains of the system - gathers information from sensors that report temperatures, humidity, lighting levels, the microwave and the security system and a host of other devices that you elect to include in the network. The computer is connected to the devices by wiring harnesses [co-ax, copper and CAT 5 & 6] or RF systems [radio frequency controls], or a hybrid [a combination of both]. The latter is where this technology seems to be headed. The switches, outlets, sensors and systems (HVAC, home entertainment, security, lighting, etc. - as few or as many as you'd like) is where the “magic” manifests itself – and makes your life simpler, more pleasant and more energy efficient. However, there's more to this technology than “magic”.

It has been said “if you can measure it, you can manage it”. This technology is a tool that can save you significant money - at a minimum 5-15% - by controlling your home's energy usage. We have a friend who drives a Prius and the vehicle has a graphic display showing the car's efficiency in mpg's. It's a given that owners of these cars use this graph to actively manage their energy use – a practice now called hypermiling.  The homeowner can use this same hypermiling concept to manage and get the best mileage from the energy usage in their homes as long as they have the right tools. They can work with their builder or remodeler to fine-tune their energy management systems to fit their lifestyle and finances. This "measure and manage" practice is also taking root at the utility and IT management levels with companies like Microsoft, Tendril, Dreambox and Gridpoint making major strides and acquisitions to secure their place on the cutting edge of utility-based smart home management.
 

The control that smart systems introduce to your home allows you to see your usage and manage your energy expense. This is more, however, than randomly flipping switches and adjusting the thermostat in “real time”. Even a basic system will allow you to profile your day with temperatures and lighting scenarios that mimic your habits. Going on a week-end trip? Don't worry, there's already a program in your system that saves energy but keeps your home looking occupied. Going away for a longer period? You use the profile but adjust it randomly via your laptop or PDA.

The best place to start including this technology is at the beginning – when the project is still on paper. Do your research. Dream. Download brochure PDFs. Talk to your architect and/or builder. Talk to lighting design professionals. Draw your dreams on paper then make them a reality as you build “magic” into your new home.

Don't think for a minute, though, that you have to build a new house to enjoy this new technology. Competent professionals can pull wires to almost any point in your existing home's walls and ceilings. There are systems that make very good use of remote control technology to manage your systems. If you're somewhat handy, there are basic DIY systems that allow you to “self install”.

Manufacturers have heard this one almost every day: “I can't afford that – those things are just too expensive!” In some cases this is true. Like almost every product you might name, there are definite levels of sophistication and application in the world of smart systems. There are some companies that intentionally serve only the upper spectrum of this market – just like Ferrari and Lamborghini in the world of exotic sports cars. However, we've just read about a well-known provider in this industry who is intentionally targeting the “entry level” buyer in this field. We expect that increasing interest will encourage more companies to follow this lead.

Smart Control System Manufacturers

Advanced Telemetry LLC - have their corporate headquarters in San Diego, California and are backed by 21 Ventures and the Quercus Trust. The company's team has more than 50 years of combined experience in monitoring and control systems design, development, and implementation. Their Ecoview Commercial product helps business owners track and understand how they are utilizing resources and can help reduce total energy consumption by up to 20%, resulting in return on investments that can be measured in months as opposed to years. Their Ecoview Residential product is easy to install and use and supplies the real-time information needed to reduce monthly energy bills and shrink energy and resource consumption. It is not clear on their company website or press releases where they manufacture their smart home automation products at this time.

AMX - is headquartered in Richardson, Texas with regional offices and representatives in 22 states and 86 countries. The company's range of award-winning products spans control and automation, system-wide switching and audio/video signal distribution, digital signage and technology management. They are implemented worldwide in conference rooms, homes, classrooms, network operation and command centres, hotels, entertainment venues and broadcast facilities amongst others. AMX Smart Homes Control Systems are designed to direct the various individual smart home technologies and reduce their management to a single, user-friendly system. AMX was founded in 1982 and is a member of the Duchossois Group of Companies. It is not clear on their company website or press releases where they manufacture their smart home automation products at this time.

Blue Line Innovations Inc. - has their corporate headquarters in Newfoundland, Canada and a US office in San Francisco, California. The company is a manufacturer of real-time energy monitoring products that help consumers save money while helping to conserve energy.  They manufacture a DIY product called the PowerCost Monitor™ which is a two-product kit consisting of a sensor that attaches to the home’s energy meter and a wireless receiver that gets information from the sensor providing an easy to use and easy to install real-time feedback device for monitoring home electricity usage. The product is sold under the Black & Decker label in North America, retailing for $99.99. The company also sells its own PowerCost Monitor that is a slightly larger size and has a larger wireless range, for $109.95 on its web site and a small handful of other authorized dealers in some big box and online stores. Their website does not state exactly where their manufacturing plant is located.

Control4 - a leading provider of the operating system for the smart home, delivers intelligent control of consumer electronics products, appliances and networking systems through an easy-to-use and intuitive software interface. The company was founded in 2003 and has its corporate headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Control4 delivers affordable automation and control of lighting, music, video, HVAC, security, and energy management systems to a broad market through more than 1,600 custom integrators, retail outlets, and distributors in over 40 countries.

Its primary product is a Linux-based appliance dubbed a Home Controller which manages all the connected electronic devices in a consumer's home. Such devices may include Control4's own products (such as light switches, zoned audio amplifiers, networked thermostats, and touch-screen keypads) as well as an ample variety of third party products (such as common name-brand televisions, alarm panels, security cameras). Control4 principally sells its products through an authorized dealer network. A complete Control4 system can only be purchased through an authorized dealer. The Composer software package available to the homeowner allows programming of the system features but prohibits the homeowner from adding or changing hardware without dealer assistance. Such assistance, when needed, can be provided remotely over the Internet.
 

Crestron - was founded in 1969 and creates hardware and software to control disparate systems – AV, lighting, thermostats, security – on a single platform. The most visible of all Crestron products are its touchpanels, keypads, and handhelds, and all Crestron products are designed, manufactured and distributed worldwide from its home base in Rockleigh, New Jersey.  The company headquarters consists of six buildings in northeastern New Jersey including a 100,000-square-foot  research center which houses more than 400 full-time Crestron software and hardware engineers, a manufacturing plant, a training facility and an "Experience Center".  Crestron's entire manufacturing operation is contained within the State of New Jersey and is not outsourced to other countries.

The company has been a leading manufacturer of advanced control and automation systems, innovating technology to simplify and enhance modern lifestyles and businesses. Offering integrated solutions to control audio, video, computer, and environmental systems, Crestron streamlines technology, improving the quality of life in commercial buildings, universities, hotels, hospitals and homes.

Extron - was established in 1983 and is headquartered in Anaheim, California, housing the thee global operations for engineering and manufacturing, as well as sales, training, and technical support for North and South America. The company is a leading manufacturer of professional AV system integration products including AV control systems, computer-video interfaces, switchers, matrix switchers, distribution amplifiers, audio amplifiers, speakers, twisted pair and fiber optic equipment, video scalers, AV signal processors, AV streaming products, classroom sound field systems, and high resolution cable. The vast majority of Extron products are still manufactured in California.
 

In2 Networks - was founded in 2003, and is based in Salt Lake City, Utah. In2 has independently developed proprietary technology, products and services that take advantage of IP networks and standard web browsers. The company provides web-based energy and building management products and services for commercial and residential installations. Their EcoConcierge from is a web-connected monitor that can be configured to display real-time electricity and water use. The In2 management solution pays for itself in homes, restaurants, retail stores and office environments by providing measurable real-time feedback on energy usage. In2 products are applicable in both new construction and retrofit installations, and are scalable to accommodate large installations using existing Ethernet network infrastructures. It appears that In1 Networks does not manufactures their own products but partners with manufacturers to develop the products. Once the product is made, they are sold through the manufacturer's distribution channel.

Lutron - designs, manufactures, markets and sells some of the world's finest lighting control products. Founder Joel Spira’s first invention – a simple rotary dimmer that can still be found on many dining-room walls today – marked the birth of the lighting control industry. In almost 50 years of innovation, Lutron has invented hundreds of lighting control devices and systems, and expanded their product offering from 2 products to 15,000. Their products can be found in the electrical aisle in local home improvement stores, lighting showrooms and audio/video dealers who install some of their higher-end systems, including RadioRA and Homeworks.

A privately held company, Lutron is headquartered in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles north of Philadelphia. Lutron sales and service offices are located worldwide, with offices in London, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid, Berlin, Sao Paulo, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Beijing. Their manufacturing facilities are located in the Lehigh Valley, Puerto Rico, and in St. Kitts in the Caribbean.

Niles - is part of Nortek Inc., a leading manufacturer and distributor of building, remodeling and indoor environmental control products for residential and commercial markets. Headquartered in Carlsbad, California, and part of The AVC Group, Niles is a 33 year old company who markets its innovative products in over 30 countries around the world. Niles is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of audio/video custom installation products and accessories and provider of products and services that enable professional custom installers to design and install systems for end users which enable simple and easy access to home entertainment and that integrate seamlessly with other low voltage subsystems like lighting, internet, security and HVAC in residential and light commercial environments.

Onset Computer Corporation - is based on Cape Cod, Massachusetts and has sold more than one million data loggers since the company’s founding in 1981. Onset has designed and manufactured its HOBO® data loggers on-site at its headquarters on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for more than 30 years. Their new HOBO Temperature Logger Kit combines a HOBO Data Logger — a compact, battery-powered temperature recording device — and accompanying software that allows you to view heat and AC activity on your home PC or Mac. The company's HOBO U30 series energy monitoring systems provide real-time access to your data from any web browser and up to 15 channels of high-accuracy energy measurement data. Cellular, Wi-Fi, and, Ethernet communications options are available.
 

Remote Technologies Incorporated [RTI] - is a technology-driven company that specializes in developing and marketing innovative home theater control products. The company is a private company that was founded in 1992. They are best known for pioneering the development of affordable, customizable, wireless remote controls that incorporate touchscreen displays. These award-winning products have, in the past, been branded and marketed by partner companies through a network of domestic and international dealers and distributors. They have recently unveiled a complete home control system sold under the RTI name. RTI does not sell directly to the public. The company's corporate headquarters are located in Shakopee, Minnesota and another location in Xindian City, Taiwan. It is not clear on the company website where they manufacture their products.

Russound - was founded in 1967 in a quiet town in rustic New England based on a desire to make the finest audio accessories on the market. The company’s early products included hi-fi solutions such as speaker selectors, tape monitor switches and volume controls. The name Russound became synonymous for high-quality volume controls and the company soon developed a reputation for their reliable products. Over the years, Russound developed a wider range of products for the custom installation market and increasingly became known for quality, reliability and service. Based in Newmarket, New Hampshire, Russound continues to design and manufacture innovative products that sound great, are easy to install and simple to use, and that offer great value. Russound delivers a complete range of multiroom audio systems, source equipment, volume controls, amplifiers, loudspeakers and intercom systems. Russound uses contract manufacturers in Asia to manufacture their products.
 

Savant - was founded in 2005 by a core group of technology pioneers and business executives, bringing together hundreds of years of combined real-world success in applications such as programmable systems, digital signal processing, video processing, telephony, switching platforms and home electronics integration. They are the world’s only Apple®-based home control, automation, and media system and was the first company to introduce a native iPad®, iPhone®, and iPod touch® application delivering complete control and automation. The company’s headquarters is located in Osterville, MA in a building that used to be an A&P supermarket. This 12,500 sq. ft. space houses executive offices and conference rooms, as well as marketing, inside sales, and accounting personnel and is connected to their 27,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Hyannis, MA via a powerful networking system.

Verve Living Systems - is a new brand within Masco Corporation with the development of a revolutionary system that combines radio frequency and energy-harvesting technologies to offer wireless, battery-less lighting controls, will soon include three new product offerings that provide homeowners new ways to increase home comfort and enable meaningful energy savings in their homes. The additions of a Verve Broadcast Thermostat, a Verve Occupancy Sensor and a Verve Magnetic Contact Switch work in conjunction with the core lighting system to offer homeowners unprecedented home control features.
 

Their products are one of the simplest, most affordable ways to control both comfort and energy costs in residential and lodging spaces. Verve products can be combined to provide energy-saving solutions that range from complete lighting and temperature control to targeted control of miscellaneous electrical loads through receptacles. Masco is headquartered in Taylor, Michigan and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of home improvement and building products including Behr paint, Delta and Hansgrohe faucets, bath and shower fixtures, KraftMaid and Merillat cabinets and Milgard windows and doors. Although they do have one component made by Siemens in Germany, a few components made in Canada, the vast majority of the Verve residential line is manufactured in Detroit, Michigan.