Home Automation Made Easy Do It Yourself Know How Using UPB, Insteon, X10 and Z-Wave

by Brewer, Dennis C

• ISBN13: 9780789751249
• ISBN10: 0789751240
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2013-11-07
• Publisher: Que Pub

Summary

Absolutely no experience needed!

Make your home smarter, safer, and more fun—and save money, too!

 

Home automation is finally practical, useful, and easy! Now, you can control your home exactly the way you want to, without paying monthly fees. This book shows how to do it all yourself, with today’s simpler, more reliable, less expensive technologies.

 

Dennis C. Brewer first makes sure you’re comfortable with wiring basics and safety, and then guides you through installing, setting up, and using today’s best home automation software. Next, he walks you through several great DIY projects you can complete in just hours.

 

Before you know it, you’ll be controlling appliances, lighting, devices, home security, energy consumption, heating/cooling, and even your home entertainment center. Brewer covers phone interfaces, opportunities to expand, and even offerings from your phone and Internet service providers. When it comes to home automation, the future is here—and it works!

 

·          Pick the right products and services, without overspending

·          Control your home from anywhere, with Android, iPhone, iPad, or your computer

·          Go green, save energy, all year long

·          Make your home safer, more secure, and more comfortable

·          Overcome personal mobility challenges

·          Get more fun out of your TV and music system

 

Author Biography

Dennis C. Brewer is a technology enthusiast that has been associated with electrical and electronic projects since grade school. His experience includes an FCC commercial radio broadcast engineer license, twelve years in the US Navy as an Interior Communications electrician attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer and another dozen years as an Army Combat Engineer Officer. He has 12 years of experience in State of Michigan Government as a Novell certified network engineer and information technology specialist that included hands on and administration experience with enterprise level planning, standards implementation, data security, and identity management. His book and magazine writing credits include Build Your Own Free-to-Air (FTA) Satellite TV System (Wiley, 2011), Wiring Your Digital Home For Dummies (Wiley, 2006), Picture Yourself Networking Your Home or Small Office (Course Technology, 2008), Security Controls for Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 IT Compliance: Authorization, Authentication, and Access (Wiley, 2005), and Green My Home!: 10 Steps to Lowering Energy Costs and Reducing Your Carbon Footprint (Kaplan, 2008).

Table of Contents

Introduction – Home Automation is For Everyone

1. Home Wiring Fundamentals You Should Know Before You Begin

2. Using a Windows Computer as Your Home Automation Platform

3. Understanding the Automation Processes the and the Control Protocols

4. Project # 1 Installing HALbasic Software on Your PC

5. Project # 2 Controlling appliances, lights, and devices.

6. Project # 3 Controlling Lighting: Indoors and Outdoors

7. Project # 4 Linking to Your Home Security System

8. Project # 5 Upgrading to HAL2000

9. Project # 6 Installing a Home Automation Voice Portal Modem In Your Computer

10. Project # 7 Getting Green -- Managing Temperature and Energy Consumption: Heating and Cooling System Links

11. Project # 8 Adding New Controllers and Interfaces: Zigbee, Z-wave, Insteon, and more.

12. Project # 9 Automating the Home Entertainment Center’s Sound and Video

13. Project # 10 Connecting and Using the Home Automation Platform Over the Internet

14. Using Smart Phone Control – Apple and Droid

15. Evaluating Broadband and Telecom Home Automation Offerings

16. Adding Self Designed Home Automation Projects for the Future