5 Things You Should Know About Home ControlsHome automation systems keep changing, and they span many applications. these tips will keep you a step ahead.

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5: Control the sun. Lighting control typically refers to the scenes you set with artificial lights. But why stop there? By managing the natural light that comes into the home, homeowners can cut energy costs, protect flooring and furnishings from ultraviolet rays, and get the most out of their investment in window treatments.

Lutron, Somfy, and Solar Shading Systems are among companies that sell controllable shades that integrate with home control systems. Motors with sensors that accept commands from wall-mounted or handheld remote controls are the power behind Somfy and Solar Shading shades. Astronomical timers also can control the shades, so that they raise and lower according to time of day. Shades are available in wired and wireless versions for new construction and retrofit applications.

Lutron shades are microprocessor-controlled, making them virtually silent in motor-free operation. Low-voltage wiring is required from controller to shade. LiteTouch sells the DayLight Harvesting Keypad, which works with a sensor to maintain light levels in a room, depending on the amount of natural light the sensor receives. The keypad works with LiteTouch lighting control systems.

Rebecca Day writes about home technology from New York.

• The LiteTouch DayLight Harvesting Keypad ($440) works in conjunction with a LiteTouch lighting control system to keep loads at a preset level when there are changes in natural light (www.litetouch.com). When the accompanying sensor detects enough sunlight to keep light intensity at a prescribed level, the keypad issues a command to reduce the amount of artificial light in the room.


• The scaled-down Lutron AuroRa system ($750) controls five areas of light in the home (www.lutron.com). The wireless system can interface with a security system that will begin flashing lights if it goes off. A tabletop master controller can operate all lights from a single location.
• Active Thermal Management's System 2 ($300) is a modular cooling system comprising two fans, temperature sensors, a power supply, and controller that modulates the power sent to the fans, depending on the temperature of the sensors (www.activethermal.com).


• The Monster Cable MCC AVL300-S is not only a powerful handheld remote ($499) and robust clicker for a stack of audio/video gear, it also adds control of Z-Wave-enabled light switches to its job description (www.monstercable.com). The RF remote operates Z-Wave dimmers and switches throughout the home.
• The Keypad Dimmer Insteon Starter Kit ($199) includes the dimmers and modules required to create a basic Insteon lighting control system (www.smarthome.com). Add-on modules and bridges enable control of compatible fans and appliances in the home.