Do-it-Yourself Home Automation Projects

You've been doing a lot of projects since you were in the elementary. There are times when you do it on your own, and sometimes you seek for your parents' help. Now that you're all grown-up, you can do many things alone, with no or less minimal supervision.

One project that is very popular nowadays is home automation. With home automation, you can have a more convenient place to dwell in; it's like stepping into a whole new different world where everything happens with just a push of a button.

This may seem impossible, but because of today's technology, almost anything is possible. If you want to experience having a high-tech home, then it's time that you decide for home automation.

Home automation is not that complicated. There are gadgets and devices which are complicated but you can settle for do-it-yourself home automation gadgets. DIY home automation gadgets require no professional assistance; a typical example is the X10.

In any project that you wish to undertake, the first consideration is your budget. A home automation project also requires a budget, and determining it can be difficult. Other ordinary projects as making a cabinet is an easy one because you're already familiar with it, but when you talk about home automation, it's entirely a new one.

You should be able to identify what particular thing or things you want to be incorporated in your home automation. For this project, you want to automate your whole house. Already this huge project includes lighting controls, security devices, and controls for HVAC, and so on. But this is easier if you divide your plan into two sections, namely: automating by room, and by task.

If you start with rooms, you must again identify what to automate. You might want to automate the lights, draperies, appliances, security, and fans. You will need several module types of X10, a budget, specialized devices, and possible problems.

For some people who prefer to do it on their own, it would be better to do things by task. For instance, start by automating all lighting controls in the house. You can also start with the HVAC, appliance control, outdoor devices, outdoor lighting, and security. It will depend entirely on you, so you should start with what you think is the most important and slowly work your way to the remaining ones. This approach is easier especially the process of setting it all up.

When you talk about home automation, sky is the limit. But if you choose to start with the basic automation kit, it can cost you around $30. After deciding what things to automate, the next step is to decide on how much you're willing to spend on it.

Once you've established the budget, then it's time to look for devices and gadgets. There are many products to choose from, with different brands as well. Go for expensive ones only if it can give you useful features, otherwise you can stick to the less expensive ones. This is important especially if you have a limited budget.

If you always experiment on new things, it would be better to choose versatile components, but this mean you will have to spend more up front. Examples are using 3-prong modules with pass-through connectors if you're short in electrical outlets; use 3-prong outlets if you have plug-in modules; and get a controller that enables programming of switches and modules if you plan to have programmable scenes in the future. This is for X10 projects only.

After the project is finished, you can now enjoy the benefits of home automation.
