New Lighting Packages Make Home Automation Affordable and EasySimpler Control Systems Offer Convenience and Luxury

  • By Jeffrey Lee
  • Source: BUILDING PRODUCTS Magazine
  • Publication date: 2007-09-11

Residents of San Diego's Park Avenue neighborhood never have to come home to a dark dwelling. That's because the builder, Priest Development, has made automated lighting controls standard in the row house community. A Lutron RadioRa system allows owners to touch a button on a control on their car visor to create a lighted path from the front yard all the way to the third floor of their home.

The product's convenience has been a big selling point for the developer's young professional customers, says Doug Thigpen, the company's IT manager. "They sometimes come home late, and they want to get into their house safely," he says. "New homeowners love being able to turn off and on the lights from the car."

Inside the home, automated lighting allows users to pre-program lighting scenes such as Party, Movie Night, or Sleep mode, for example, or to set their lights to a timer so they turn on when it's time to wake up or make the house look lived-in while the owner is away.

Priest Development includes a basic lighting control package standard at a cost of about $1,500 to the buyer, but also offers upgraded packages that include more lights or rooms. Thigpen says that many homeowners choose to upgrade after their orientation meeting with the lighting installer. "Once it's in their homes, they want more of it," he says. Plus, because the systems operate wirelessly on radio frequency, upgrades take an installer only about an hour, he says.

In fact, technologies like wireless radio frequency or universal power bus (UPB), which runs over a home's existing power lines, are making it easier for homeowners to retrofit their existing homes with electronic lighting controls without extensive rewiring or remodeling. It's one way to get the convenience, beauty, and enhanced safety of lighting controls without building a new home.

Affordable Automation
Lighting control has traditionally remained in the realm of high-end, high-tech housing, and according to the Consumer Electronics Association's (CEA) most recent State of the Builder Technology Market Study, the average lighting control system still costs about $7,000. But as automation becomes more popular, manufacturers are responding with more affordable—and simple—solutions, using wireless radio frequency or UPB. Lutron's wireless AuroRa package, for instance, contains five dimmers, a controller, and a transmitter for $800.

"RF technology allows builders to put a 'starter set' lighting control system in a home which can be easily upgraded by the homeowner at a later date," says Diane Davis, vice president of marketing for CentraLite Systems. "It allows builders to add home automation technology … without a huge financial investment."

With more manufacturers offering lower-priced lighting control products, more builders are making the systems an option or even standard in their homes. According to the CEA study, 57 percent of builders offered automated lighting controls in 2006, up an impressive 12 points from 2005, making it the fastest-growing home technology.

Plus, "It's something that has a tremendous impact on the value and luxury of a home," explains Jay McLellan, president and CEO of Home Automation Inc. (HAI). Homeowners can replace a bank of switches lined up along a wall with a single scene switch, he points out, and dim or brighten their lights via a handheld remote or a keypad.

Vacancy sensors and dimming devices are also energy savers, manufacturers say. Dimming the lights 50 percent saves 40 percent of the electricity, and makes the bulb last 20 times longer, manufacturers say. "A lot of customers buy systems based on the energy savings they give them," says Phil Scheetz, marketing manager for residential systems business at Lutron.

Smart Sell
Builders also are seeing the marketing benefits of installing electronic lighting controls, especially as selling a home becomes tougher in a down housing market. "Builders are looking at how they can differentiate their properties from other properties on the marketplace," says Ken Fairbanks, general manager for SmartLabs. He says the "iPod generation" is expecting to see technology in their houses. "The idea of 'I'm buying a smart home' is an attraction to them. The cost of putting in lighting control is minor to get that marketing capability."

For one of KB Home's new communities of Martha Stewart-designed abodes in Katy, Texas, the decision to offer automation came down to competing with the area's custom builders and giving the buyers what they want. The dwellings—which range from $350,000 to $500,000—come standard with HAI's Omni control systems, which allow users to control lighting, security, and more, even from a remote location. After doing market studies, "It became apparent that that segment of buyer is looking for home automation as a feature," says Darin Campbell, regional public relations director for KB Home in Texas. "The advantage is being able to meet those expectations, being able to say, 'We've got that.'"

Integration Insight
Designing lighting scenes to complement your home is a neat trick. But the greatest awe-inducing features come from whole home automation, or integrating lighting control with the home's other systems. Several manufacturers offer controllers that operate on a touchscreen or even a TV set and can adjust lights, temperature, music—just about anything in the home.

"Integrating your lighting control system with thermostat control and a security system is not unusual," says CentraLite's Davis, "but homeowners are also integrating cameras, motorized blinds, audio distribution systems, sprinkler systems, motorized gates, even water heaters to create a total home automation solution."

In fact, Forrest Kelsey, director of field service for Vantage/Legrand, estimates that less than 10 percent of the company's lighting systems are installed without any integration, with distributed audio and HVAC control the most popular added features.

Whether it's lighting the path from the driveway to the bedroom or providing state-of-the-art home automation, your customers will love having—and showing off—the latest home control technologies.

--BUILDING PRODUCTS

Bright Ideas

The newest lighting trends are compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and LED lights, both of which offer significant energy and life savings compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.

While screw-in CFLs are not dimmable, pin-based CFLs, which plug into a socket, can be controlled and dimmed. Lighting control manufacturers are adapting their technologies to work with CFLs, but pin-based fixtures are still catching on in residential applications. "You'll start to see fluorescent control take off once homeowners begin installing those fixtures," says Lutron's Phil Scheetz.

Meanwhile, LED lights promise even greater interior design possibilities. "LED lighting, in addition to being extremely energy efficient … provides a level of control not possible with standard or compact fluorescent light," says Ilya Billig, vice president of business development for Lagotek. Because LED lights can change hues, he envisions colored lighting scenes—even LED-based Christmas lights—in the not-too-distant future.

Home Intelligence Platform (HIP)100 touchscreen control panels are designed to be elegant but unobtrusive, easily blending with the wall, according to the manufacturer. Current software applications for the HIP platform from Lagotek and its partners include climate control with multiple zones of heating and air conditioning, lighting, LED lighting for interior decoration, and others. 425-455-2165. www.lagotek.com.

Lagotek

Lagotek. Home Intelligence Platform (HIP)100 touchscreen control panels are designed to be elegant but unobtrusive, easily blending with the wall, according to the manufacturer. Current software applications for the HIP platform from Lagotek and its partners include climate control with multiple zones of heating and air conditioning, lighting, LED lighting for interior decoration, and others. 425-455-2165. www.lagotek.com.

Designed to fit into a single junction box and any standard rocker-style switch plate, the TP2-1D touchpad is easy to install and complements any room's decor, according to the company. Using a capacitive-sensing touch surface, users can program the touchpad's button layout and function from a wide variety of configuration choices and create customized labeling. 800-987-8638. www.coloradovnet.com.

Colorado vNet

Colorado vNet. Designed to fit into a single junction box and any standard rocker-style switch plate, the TP2-1D touchpad is easy to install and complements any room's decor, according to the company. Using a capacitive-sensing touch surface, users can program the touchpad's button layout and function from a wide variety of configuration choices and create customized labeling. 800-987-8638. www.coloradovnet.com.

InTouch wireless control products go above and beyond standard Z-Wave technology products by embedding higher-level functions, which are coordinated through the InTouch server, according to the manufacturer. The server provides full two-way, real-time status of every device in the network, including legacy Z-Wave devices, the maker adds. The control system can manage indoor and outdoor lighting, among other applications. 815-675-7000.

Intermatic

Intermatic. InTouch wireless control products go above and beyond standard Z-Wave technology products by embedding higher-level functions, which are coordinated through the InTouch server, according to the manufacturer. The server provides full two-way, real-time status of every device in the network, including legacy Z-Wave devices, the maker adds. The control system can manage indoor and outdoor lighting, among other applications. 815-675-7000. www.intermatic.com.

The GE SmartHome Z-Wave product line is a complete system that enables users to wirelessly control lighting and small appliances in the home using Z-Wave technology, an RF wireless language. The product family provides the technology and flexibility to easily create and tailor a wireless home lighting control program without complicated installation or a high price tag, the maker says. 800-654-8483. www.jascoproducts.com.

Jasco Products

Jasco Products. The GE SmartHome Z-Wave product line is a complete system that enables users to wirelessly control lighting and small appliances in the home using Z-Wave technology, an RF wireless language. The product family provides the technology and flexibility to easily create and tailor a wireless home lighting control program without complicated installation or a high price tag, the maker says. 800-654-8483. www.jascoproducts.com.

Z-Wave kits can be integrated with any pre-existing Z-Wave-enabled devices in the home. The kits range from the basic Home Access kit to the Professional kit, which includes 10 in-wall dimmer modules, four lamp modules, two small appliance modules, two deluxe remote controls, two remote controls, a wireless gateway module, and a keychain remote control. 800-827-3667. www.wayne-dalton.com.

Wayne-Dalton

Wayne-Dalton. Z-Wave kits can be integrated with any pre-existing Z-Wave-enabled devices in the home. The kits range from the basic Home Access kit to the Professional kit, which includes 10 in-wall dimmer modules, four lamp modules, two small appliance modules, two deluxe remote controls, two remote controls, a wireless gateway module, and a keychain remote control. 800-827-3667. www.wayne-dalton.com.

The InFusion family of products includes the InFusion controller, Design Center, and touchscreens. Designed around installers' needs, the Design Center software includes third-party device libraries with easy drag-and-drop menus and has savable and reusable customized programming, making complex automation scenarios simple and cutting installation time significantly, the maker says. 800-555-9891. www.vantagecontrols.com.

Vantage/Legrand

Vantage/Legrand. The InFusion family of products includes the InFusion controller, Design Center, and touchscreens. Designed around installers' needs, the Design Center software includes third-party device libraries with easy drag-and-drop menus and has savable and reusable customized programming, making complex automation scenarios simple and cutting installation time significantly, the maker says. 800-555-9891. www.vantagecontrols.com.

StarLite uses wireless radio frequency technology and the home's existing electrical wiring to create a central lighting control system in existing housing without the expense of tearing down walls and rerunning electrical wires. Installers can replace a home's existing light switches with new StarLite dimmers and keypads, and configuration is easy with the product's intelligent system feedback, the maker says. 877-466-5483. www.centralite.com.

CentraLite

CentraLite. StarLite uses wireless radio frequency technology and the home's existing electrical wiring to create a central lighting control system in existing housing without the expense of tearing down walls and rerunning electrical wires. Installers can replace a home's existing light switches with new StarLite dimmers and keypads, and configuration is easy with the product's intelligent system feedback, the maker says. 877-466-5483. www.centralite.com.

AuroRa is a simplified radio frequency-based lighting control system that creates a safe path of light into and throughout a home from the homeowner's car, patio, or bedside. Styled like a traditional toggle switch, the pre-programmed system is available in an easy-to-install package containing five dimmers, one master control, one wireless controller, and one central antenna, the maker says. 610-282-3800. www.lutron.com.

Lutron

Lutron. AuroRa is a simplified radio frequency-based lighting control system that creates a safe path of light into and throughout a home from the homeowner's car, patio, or bedside. Styled like a traditional toggle switch, the pre-programmed system is available in an easy-to-install package containing five dimmers, one master control, one wireless controller, and one central antenna, the maker says. 610-282-3800. www.lutron.com.

All of the manufacturer's lighting products can be controlled using the company's touchscreen, keypad, or remote control. Wireless dimmers and switches can provide smart lighting throughout an entire house, and wireless outlet dimmers and switches are power-sensing modules that make household plug-in devices, such as standalone lamps, part of the lighting system. 888-400-4070. www.control4.com.

Control4

Control4. All of the manufacturer's lighting products can be controlled using the company's touchscreen, keypad, or remote control. Wireless dimmers and switches can provide smart lighting throughout an entire house, and wireless outlet dimmers and switches are power-sensing modules that make household plug-in devices, such as standalone lamps, part of the lighting system. 888-400-4070. www.control4.com.

The Square D Clipsal lighting control line now includes new Decorator versions of its Neo and Saturn (pictured) keypads and wall plates. The new keypads provide the same features as a standard Square D Clipsal keypad, but in a format designed to conserve wall space and fit with existing wall boxes, making them ideal for retrofit installations, the maker says. 888-778-2733. www.squaredlightingcontrol.com.

Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric. The Square D Clipsal lighting control line now includes new Decorator versions of its Neo and Saturn (pictured) keypads and wall plates. The new keypads provide the same features as a standard Square D Clipsal keypad, but in a format designed to conserve wall space and fit with existing wall boxes, making them ideal for retrofit installations, the maker says. 888-778-2733. www.squaredlightingcontrol.com.

The IntelliSight occupancy sensor incorporates multiple technologies to expand its occupancy detection range to up to 4,000 square feet from a single passive device, the maker says. Built for universal voltage and many load types, the sensor switches and dimmers are self-tuning and adaptive, requiring no adjustments for most installations. 214-647-7880. www.lolcontrols.com.

Lightolier Controls

Lightolier Controls. The IntelliSight occupancy sensor incorporates multiple technologies to expand its occupancy detection range to up to 4,000 square feet from a single passive device, the maker says. Built for universal voltage and many load types, the sensor switches and dimmers are self-tuning and adaptive, requiring no adjustments for most installations. 214-647-7880. www.lolcontrols.com.

Insteon is a home control networking technology that combines wireless RF, the home's existing electrical wiring, or both, to connect a home's appliances, lighting, and other systems. Any device embedded with the technology can be connected to another and managed from a remote control, keypad, light switch, computer, media center, or mobile device, according to the company. 866-243-8022. www.insteon.net.

SmartLabs

SmartLabs. Insteon is a home control networking technology that combines wireless RF, the home's existing electrical wiring, or both, to connect a home's appliances, lighting, and other systems. Any device embedded with the technology can be connected to another and managed from a remote control, keypad, light switch, computer, media center, or mobile device, according to the company. 866-243-8022. www.insteon.net.

P&S LightSense allows homeowners to control lights, select complete lighting scenes for any mood or activity, and operate ceiling fans and small appliances with the touch of a button from anywhere in the house. The system includes a complete selection of dependable, decorator-style radio-frequency devices and matching hard-wired devices. 800-611-7277. www.passandseymour.com.

Pass & Seymour/Legrand

Pass & Seymour/Legrand. P&S LightSense allows homeowners to control lights, select complete lighting scenes for any mood or activity, and operate ceiling fans and small appliances with the touch of a button from anywhere in the house. The system includes a complete selection of dependable, decorator-style radio-frequency devices and matching hard-wired devices. 800-611-7277. www.passandseymour.com.

Neo, a wall box lighting control product, offers home builders ease of installation and programming, as well as multiple upgrade opportunities, the maker says. The product's load "cartridges," super-small high-voltage lighting control modules that dim and switch the lights, are compact, replaceable, and interchangeable, making it possible to add more lighting loads by adding additional cartridges, the manufacturer says. 801-486-8500. www.litetouch.com.

LiteTouch

LiteTouch. Neo, a wall box lighting control product, offers home builders ease of installation and programming, as well as multiple upgrade opportunities, the maker says. The product's load "cartridges," super-small high-voltage lighting control modules that dim and switch the lights, are compact, replaceable, and interchangeable, making it possible to add more lighting loads by adding additional cartridges, the manufacturer says. 801-486-8500. www.litetouch.com.

Omni and Lumina controllers now support Z-Wave technology, a wireless network protocol used in a wide variety of home automation devices made by numerous manufacturers. In addition to supporting standard Z-Wave lighting devices, the manufacturer's controllers support the advanced features of Leviton's ViziaRF series of lighting control devices, including lighting scenes and two-way communications. 800-229-7256. www.homeauto.com.

Home Automation

Home Automation. Omni and Lumina controllers now support Z-Wave technology, a wireless network protocol used in a wide variety of home automation devices made by numerous manufacturers. In addition to supporting standard Z-Wave lighting devices, the manufacturer's controllers support the advanced features of Leviton's ViziaRF series of lighting control devices, including lighting scenes and two-way communications. 800-229-7256. www.homeauto.com.

RT series time switches replace standard light switches and can control either lighting or motor loads, such as fans. Users turn the switch on by pressing the on/off button. The switch turns the load off at the end of the timer's countdown, unless the user has chosen to turn it off earlier. 800-879-8585. www.wattstopper.com.

Watt Stopper/Legrand

Watt Stopper/Legrand. RT series time switches replace standard light switches and can control either lighting or motor loads, such as fans. Users turn the switch on by pressing the on/off button. The switch turns the load off at the end of the timer's countdown, unless the user has chosen to turn it off earlier. 800-879-8585. www.wattstopper.com.

Four new Lifeware Builder packages are designed to let home builders quickly offer complete digital entertainment and home automation upgrade options for their buyers. Lifeware is compatible with LiteTouch wired lighting systems and Insteon-enabled lighting and home control products, among other lighting control products. Lifeware Builder packages can fit a variety of budgets, according to the manufacturer. 877-901-8899. www.life-ware.com.

Exceptional Innovation

Exceptional Innovation. Four new Lifeware Builder packages are designed to let home builders quickly offer complete digital entertainment and home automation upgrade options for their buyers. Lifeware is compatible with LiteTouch wired lighting systems and Insteon-enabled lighting and home control products, among other lightingcontrol products. Lifeware Builder packages can fit a variety of budgets, according to the manufacturer. 877-901-8899. www.life-ware.com.