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Ask Slashdot: Shortcuts To a High Tech House

Posted by samzenpus on from the whoever-has-the-most-toys dept.

First time accepted submitter phaedrus9779 writes "I'm a recently married man about to take on the next big adventure: home ownership! I came across a great house in a great community but I need a little bit extra: a high tech house. The problem: money, I'm on a budget. I'd love to have home theaters, super high tech weather stations and iPads seamlessly installed in all the walls — but this just isn't possible. So my question to the Slashdot community is: how can I build a high tech house that will be the envy of my friends, provide lots of useful gadgets, and not break the bank? Also, as always, the cooler the better!"

3 of 281 comments (clear)

  1. Nest & Tankless heater by Tronster · · Score: 5, Informative

    Two items I can recommend that cost a bit upfront but do indeed save money down the road:
    - Nest Thermostat ( http://www.nest.com/ )
    - Tankless water heater

    A good tankless water heater will cost a few K (with installation, etc...) so perhaps just start with the Nest. There is currently a waiting list for them, but I was able to get mine about 3 months after waiting. It looks cool, and if used properly, will continually save you money over the life of the house.

  2. Re:Aren't you supposed to ... by Tom · · Score: 5, Informative

    c) find a better wife

    Seriously, I've never understood all the horror stories, not before and not after my own marriage.

    --
    Assorted stuff I do sometimes: Lemuria.org
  3. Main Considerations by az1324 · · Score: 5, Informative

    If you DIY you can probably accomplish a lot for under $10k and the pros would probably charge you 10x that for similar functionality. The following categories should represent the major considerations:

    Infrastructure - How are you going to connect everything?
    - WiFi Everywhere
    - Server box for storage & to run some home automation software & scripts (small embedded linux or more powerful)
    - Main equipment location & as much distributed wiring as you can do cheaply & easily yourself

    Entertainment - From where will your source content & how will you present it?
    - LCD/Plasma Monitors
    - Multiroom audio
    - Rokus or other cheap streaming boxes?
    - Whole House DVR systems from cable/satellite? (Dish Hopper/Joey, etc...)
    - HDHomeRun or other DVR capture cards?
    - A/V matrix switches & distribution? (monoprice)
    - Programmable remotes (ipads, cheap android tablets, logitech harmony, etc...)

    Comfort & Convenience
    - Lighting (X10, Z-Wave, Insteon, UPB, etc..)
    - HVAC (thermostats)
    - In-house communications (intercoms, pbx)
    - Misc automation (window shading, garage doors, locks, etc...)
    - Weather/Environmental sensors (oregon scientific, lacrosse)
    - Programmable remotes (ipads, cheap android tablets, logitech harmony, etc...)

    Security
    - Alarm system (2gig, honeywell, etc..)
    - Cameras & DVR

    The wow factor usually comes from complex actions resulting from simple inputs (scripting) so plan ahead for how everything is going to work together & communicate (sticking to fewer protocols will be easier, though maybe not always cheaper). Have a controller/server you can program yourself and don't get locked in to a proprietary system.

    IMHO, a bunch of ipads plastered into the walls really aren't that useful or impressive so skip that.