See also:
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Home Monitoring Systems
A home monitoring system is really a home management system that is far more capable than simply
monitoring home security. Home monitors allow
you to track and control other aspects, such
as lighting, heating, and cooling, while
you are away. Not only do they allow you
better control of the systems in your home
and provide more opportunities for conservation,
home monitors also allow you the convenience
of remotely preparing the appearance and
comfort of your home for your return.
A home monitor system typically
consists
of:
- door and window sensors to detect intrusion
- water and temperature sensors to monitor
the health of your home while away
- motion detectors that detect activity in
or around your home,
- video cameras that provide live images or
time lapse summaries, along with sound
- electrical device controls for lights or
appliances and even temperature control of
your furnace or air conditioning
- a central control box that ties all the pieces
together and provide a means to control them
by your personal computer, by phone, or over
the Internet.
Until recently, home monitoring
systems were
complex, unfriendly, and pricey.
But that
is true no more: a good home
monitoring system
starts at a hundred dollars or
so and can
be fully fitted out for only
a few hundred
dollars more.
Since the systems usually come as a control
unit that accepts a number of different remote
sensors or controllers, you can pick just
the features you want. In addition to controlling
your home systems, some home monitors offer
a calendar based reminder system for regular
home maintenance tasks like changing filters
or checking consumables.
The important features to compare
when buying
a home monitoring system are:
- whether the system is a self-contained, standalone
unit, or a collection of add on devices for
your home computer, which then requires you
to dedicate your computer for this purpose
- the maximum number and types of monitoring
equipment that can be connected at one time
compared to your anticipated needs
- whether it uses wired or wireless connection
to monitoring devices
- capabilities to alert you to problems with
a telephone call, page, or email message
- remote control and access to information
through the telephone, the Internet, or directly
by cell phone or PDA
- Find out how to use the control interface,
often called a dashboard, and determine not
only whether it will be easy for you to use
but whether it will do all the things you
want.
Finally, keep an eye on prices:
the costs
of these systems are falling
fast. |
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