Lifestyle ControlHome-automation system from iControl promises a connected lifestyle at an affordable price.

For Matt Tunney, vice president of corporate development for Pacific Union Homes in Danville, Calif., the new Web-based home-automation service from iControl Networks doesn't just improve the house, it improves the home buyer's lifestyle.

“The iControl system is a lifestyle solution as opposed to something that improves the physical structure of the house,” Tunney says. “Many of my buyers consist of two-income households, people who live busy lives and can really use a system that gives them the ability to let someone in the house when they are not home or check up on the kids.”

The iControl service lets home buyers check in on the house, control lights, and manage a heating/cooling system remotely over the Internet. The products that support the service don't require structured wiring; all a home buyer needs is an Internet connection and a basic starter kit. The service also runs on most PDAs and smart phones such as the Treo and the BlackBerry. Pricing on starter kits begins at $599 and includes a wireless gateway, an Internet protocol camera, one motion sensor, one door/window sensor, and a wireless key fob. The monthly service fee starts at $14.95.

“It's really easy to set up,” says Tunney. “Having installed it myself, I don't think you need a low-voltage guy; you could almost have a trimmer or finish carpenter do it.” He adds that his goal would be to have the iControl kit installed and the service up and running by the time the home buyer does the final walk-through.

EASY SETUP: The iControl starter kit costs under $600 and can be set up in less than half an hour. One builder says that it doesn't even require a low-voltage persona handy trimmer or finish carpenter can do the job.

At press time, Tunney hadn't decided how he was going to market iControl. One option included offering iControl as an option, or installing it as standard and giving home buyers a year to decide whether to continue the service. Tunney expects to be actively marketing iControl during the first half of 2007.

Reza Raji, president and CEO of iControl Networks, says that the product has great potential for builders. One possibility he suggests is having an area on the builder's Web site where home buyers can sign in and manage their home. This would help the builder establish a relationship with the home buyer after the sale, Raji says, and put him in the position to communicate with the homeowner and sell services such as HVAC maintenance and landscaping. (www.icontrol.com)