"Smart Home" devices for the garage?

[ersatzs2]

I've seen lots of threads about remote cameras and alarm systems, but does anyone have experience with remote control features? Eg once or twice one of the garage doors will open in response I guess to stray RF. Sometimes I forget to lock the man door. I'd like to be able to adjust the thermostat so when I come home from work the garage is already warm...
Any ideas?

 

[Gary S]

I planned for things like this when I built my detatched garage. I trenched in two conduits. One is for AC to power the garage. The second one is for phone, internet, and I pulled in a 12 pair signal cable for remote controls. This makes it very easy to wire whatever I need to each end and either control garage devices from the house, or send signals from the garage back to the house.
If you have a low power conduit, just pull in a multi-conductor cable and build up whatever sensors and controls you need.

 

[ersatzs2]

Yep I've got CATV and telephone and cable in the garage, and lotsa AC.
What I failed to say is that I want to do all this remotely via smartphone, eg, turn up the heat via the web while I'm still a couple hours away...

 

[gatchel]

If you are looking for an alarm home automation solution you might want to consider an Elk M1 series Alarm Panel /Home Automation Controller:

http://www.elkproducts.com/index2.html

You can do plenty of control and monitoring using this system. There is also temperature control available using certain compatible thermostats.

I have an M1 in the house, when the garage is done there will be expanders in there also.

 

[N8]

If you are looking for an alarm home automation solution you might want to consider an Elk M1 series Alarm Panel /Home Automation Controller:

http://www.elkproducts.com/index2.html

You can do plenty of control and monitoring using this system. There is also temperature control available using certain compatible thermostats.

I have an M1 in the house, when the garage is done there will be expanders in there also.

You can also check out companies like X10 or other net workable systems like Crestron or Home Automation.
Mess around here: http://www.smarthome.com/_/index.aspx

N8

 

[Brad Beam]

Look into Control4 I have that in my house and love it. It will do everything you want

 

[Carman]

try the Insteon products, you can control your thermostat and all your lights from your iPhone or maybe some other smartphone. Also you can hook up your garage doors and check all your lights and gargage door closed from anywhere you get service

 

[ersatzs2]

thats great stuff thanks for the links. BTW I tried the X10 based stuff several times over the years and it just never really worked. But Elk, Insteon and Control4 look perfect.
thx

 

[gatchel]

X-10 ***** for a modern home with computers and tons of electronics....go with UPB, Insteon, Zwave or some other modern lighting control format.

 

[hansen1]

I use Elk and Insteon together to control HVAC, alarm functions, lighting, controls, etc.

Works well and can control things from local keypads, local pc's, remote pc's, and iPhones.

Would be happy to help figure out the pieces you would need to do what you want. Just PM me.

 

[gatchel]

There is a wealth of knowledge and help here also:

http://www.cocoontech.com/portal/