By Lisa Montgomery on July 03, 2013Manhattan and Vermont may seem worlds apart, but with few hits a finger on your iPad, Jim Macri can be in contact with its 4,000 square foot custom log House and thrusts of several units in Northern New England before leaving his city. This communication, facilitated by a Homeseer home automation system, allows Jim to heat holiday house, turn on some lights... basically get everything ready as he and his wife make a 200-mile trek to his breath quiet, seemingly free of technology.
Professional Electronics (CE) James Macri (Yes, he is son of Jim) Oakwood automation systems, Huntington Station, New York, explains why his father decided to incorporate technology into a purple rustic otherwise: "needed some kind of control of HVAC, especially in the winter. The House is heated by radiant heat, so it can take almost half a day to get the temperature up to where it is comfortable. Be able to activate your remote system ensures that the House is ready for your arrival."
After Jim saw how easy and discreet was smarten heating and refrigeration, he asked James more forms of control. Lighting was a natural step. With the same application from Homeseer Z-wave thermostats operating eight 2Gig, Jim selected lights on the way to activate and engage special custom scenes that were programmed into the system by James. Ideal for a holiday home, there is a scene that turns on the lights and shutdown randomly to make the appearance of the house occupied. There is also a scene of "Welcome Home", a scene from "Good night" and a scene from "Dinner". In addition, some lights will automatically activated half an hour before sunset.
But even more beneficial to the Macris has been the integration of "squeakers bat", devices that emit a high-pitched sound waves to keep bats away. As they were originally installed, the squeakers bat could turn only power-a switch in the basement. "When my dad out with your coffee in the morning and not wanted to hear crackles, it would have to go all the way down to turn them off". With the addition of a switch of Z-wave, the squeakers can be conveniently disabled from an iPad.
It is true that fit even these basic bits of technology in a House that was already built it was difficult, and makes it even more difficult for its construction of trunks of massive cedar, pine floors and huge stone fireplaces. The size and mass of the records of make it difficult for wireless transmission; Ditto for wire fishing. "We wanted the House to both keep their rustic as possible,", says James. "We don't use keyboard (even ordinary light switches were kept to a minimum) based mainly on iPads for control and the number of strategically placed transmitters of Z-wave for wireless communication."
IPads, roaming around the House or can be paired in one of two stations of LaunchPort, also operate a system of all the House of NuVo music technologies Grand concert - which happens to be connected to the House. Careful planning and the implementation of this network cabling resulted in no damage to the structure. As for the speakers, James was mostly Bookshelf models, hiding them in the beams of the ceiling.
IPads are also go-to screens to see the important areas on the 200-hectare property. Six Y-Cam wireless IP surveillance cameras are placed around the House, as well as by the barn, poolhouse and car Museum. These units are at least a quarter of a mile away from the House, but have no problem of communication with Homeseer system, thanks to a powerful network of Wi-Fi. Looking at the screen of an iPad, Jim can check on the horses, for example. The cameras can be seen anywhere on the property or even from his home in the city.
The only part of the House where James had to fight with logs and stones was the basement, which ultimately became the place for a home theater. Still, the team settled for that technology does not dominate the room design. A Da-Lite 92-inch retractable screen remains hidden on the roof and an Epson projector is located behind the back wall. Speakers JBL are integrated into the wall. The rest of the team, including a Denon receiver, Panamax surge and conditioner power, as well as home automation and processors of the music of the entire House, are they stored in a closet.
Technology may not be an obvious element of this log home, but plays an important role in the creation of a comfortable and relaxing environment. Careful planning and implementation of systems prove that automation, security and entertainment systems can exist peacefully within any type of home design.
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Lisa Montgomery has been writing about technology in the home for 15 years, with emphasis on the impact of electronics in a modern way of life.
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