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Old 05-15-2011, 09:26 PM
 
Location: Sugar Land
2,465 posts, read 5,792,275 times
Reputation: 2733

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Wondering if anyone in Houston with experience on Insteon automation technology. I am looking to redo my entire house with Insteon devices all the way from the command center to every possible electrical switch and plugs.
I am doing it all by my self. Any tricks and tips? Any do's and dont's ? I am a technologist so it should't be too hard unless there is something that I don't know about it. Electrical work don't scare me either.

Thanks for help, ideas and guidance.....

INSTEON - Products
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Old 03-08-2014, 10:45 AM
 
1,899 posts, read 3,958,042 times
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Ethan,
Did you end up purchasing any Insteon products? I've been thinking about installing some of their water shut-off valves and maybe one or two light fixtures.
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Old 03-08-2014, 04:47 PM
 
Location: Sugar Land
2,465 posts, read 5,792,275 times
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Yes, and it has been running very strong for the past 2 years or so, since I made this post. Very very reliable.
I have about 45 Insteon devices in my house controlled by a MacMini running Indigo software.
The only thing I could't automate are my blinds but I am working on a hardware hack right now to get my Hunter Douglas blinds to work with Insteon. I only had one fan switch go bad from all my Insteon devices, which is not bad at all. Go for it and if you have more questions I will gladly help.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geneyus View Post
Ethan,
Did you end up purchasing any Insteon products? I've been thinking about installing some of their water shut-off valves and maybe one or two light fixtures.
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Old 03-09-2014, 02:40 PM
 
1,899 posts, read 3,958,042 times
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One of my coworkers showed me a PTZ camera he had set up in his house and how he could turn lights on and off for his dogs using Insteon. I can't believe it hasn't been discussed more anywhere on City-data. I think I'm going to make an order. Thanks.
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Old 03-09-2014, 03:13 PM
 
Location: Breckenridge
2,367 posts, read 4,695,537 times
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There are home automation forums. Though I am glad I saw this. This is really cheap for home automation. I might do it in my next house.
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Old 03-09-2014, 06:33 PM
 
370 posts, read 612,854 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geneyus View Post
One of my coworkers showed me a PTZ camera he had set up in his house and how he could turn lights on and off for his dogs using Insteon. I can't believe it hasn't been discussed more anywhere on City-data. I think I'm going to make an order. Thanks.
I'm not sure I would want to have the camera's inside my house. I have a friend who is pretty tech savy and showed us a few "hack tricks". My friend can simply hack anyone's camera connected to their router, it's so simple that it's sort of dangerous. I think we are still prone to camera technology. For everything else it's great though, temperature, lights, electricity and water valves.


Overall, Insteon and other wireless technology is awesome. I had two Nest thermostats installed in my Home I just sold, It was very convenient running the a.c. 20 minutes before coming home from work in the summer. A must have for Houston
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Old 03-09-2014, 10:18 PM
 
Location: Sugar Land
2,465 posts, read 5,792,275 times
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Mac only Macintosh Home Automation Server

Quote:
Originally Posted by Schumacher713 View Post
There are home automation forums. Though I am glad I saw this. This is really cheap for home automation. I might do it in my next house.
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Old 03-10-2014, 03:57 PM
 
Location: Sugar Land
2,465 posts, read 5,792,275 times
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Actuall this is the main automation forum Perceptive Automation - Index page

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Originally Posted by ethanw View Post
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Old 03-12-2014, 10:27 AM
 
1,715 posts, read 2,297,831 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keyan View Post
I'm not sure I would want to have the camera's inside my house. I have a friend who is pretty tech savy and showed us a few "hack tricks". My friend can simply hack anyone's camera connected to their router, it's so simple that it's sort of dangerous. I think we are still prone to camera technology. For everything else it's great though, temperature, lights, electricity and water valves.
I agree with you. I have seen and heard the same. I see lot of people at work sit in front of their computers all day and watch their dogs go in and out of the yard or garage. Once, I walked in at someone's office and this guy was watching his wife get dressed for work atleast thats what he said. I am not sure if it was his wife or his neighbors If I want security cameras I want them outside the house and not inside.
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Old 03-12-2014, 04:14 PM
 
Location: Breckenridge
2,367 posts, read 4,695,537 times
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I admit my nest is one of the best things I bought in the last few years. I love being able to adjust my AC from my phone. I could careless about controlling my whole house lights though. I do have my lights controlled from my logitech harmony one in my bedroom and livingroom. You can get a standalone security camera system that is much better. Basically, get standalone for most of the stuff. Use Rainmachine for the sprinklers, nest thermostat, tons of options for lights. I have a combo lock for my doors. No real need to make it remote. Alarms I would just use Smith.
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