Switching AC or lights remotely from iPhone

[LSU]

I have two remote work sites that have Internet wireless.

I'm thinking of equipping both work sites with some form of remotely operated switches so I could turn on exterior 110v lights before I drove up and changing the central air/heat thermostat. I'd like the exterior lights to be able to be switched on from my iPhone. I'd also like to be able to cool the place off before I head over there to work.

Anyone have any experience setting something like this up?

Don't want timers because my schedule is erratic. Don't want motion detectors for lights or photo electric cells either.

I want to click on an app and adjust the temp or turn on the lights.

My son can program our TV to record remotely when he's not home.

Any thoughts, suggestions or comments would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[quatchi]

You would be looking for automation controller and modules.

There are a lot of options out there, for controllers, there is Vera/Micasverde, Homeseer, Schlage Nexia, Smarthome, and more.

For modules, there is Z-Wave, X-10, Insteon.

Places like www.smarthome.com (and many more) specialize in this kind of stuff. Schlage/Nexia front end I think is one of the most simplest to setup/use, but they also charge a monthly fee.

I use a Vera controller (bit buggy I think), mix of X10, Insteon and Z-Wave modules. I can integrate/control lighting, heating, alarm system (DSC) and door access (Schlage).

 

[48Classic]

I do some systems integration and a good company to buy from is http://www.smarthome.com/iphone_apps.html. I have bought alot of goodies from this location.Have fun there is a lot there depending on you budget...

 

[ddawg16]

It's kind of like cars....

How fast do you want to go?........How much money do you have?

I have NOT bought anything from Smarthome....but...in my research, they seem to have very 'fair' if not the lowest prices along with accurate info. When I get into that 'phase' of my project, they will be near the top of the list for options.

 

[99SVT]

My wife just installed a Nest thermostat in our house... it can be operated with any smart phone. Plus, it learns your patterns, and adapts to them.

 

[Angelfire]

I installed a controller at a vacation cabin in the woods. When we are getting close, I turn on all the lights....and in the winter, I turn a furnace on prior to arriving so it isn't too cold. All of this is done through an AUBE controller purchased from Smarthome that works with any touchtone phone. I researched for quite a while and determined that you can keep it as simple as you want or make it as complex as you want. I went the simple route and bought the phone controller (AUBE), some insteon switches, an X10 module, and a thermostat that would respond to the AUBE. I don't recall the price but it wasn't too awfully expensive. Just beware of scope creep because after you automate one thing, you'll want to automate everything!

 

[LSU]

Bump.

 

[3PedalMINI]

I do home theaters, home automation & lighting control for a living so i know this area inside and out. Anything X-10 based is garbage and nothing but junk, stay well away from it.

You want a system from lutron called "radio ra-2" its simply awesome and we install it all the time. its super reliable and fairly inexpensive, the only caveat is that you need an electrician or home automation company to install & program it for you. Most electricians dont have the knowledge/ability to program the system and your router to allow for remote access/control so i would stick with a home automation company.

http://www.lutron.com/PRODUCTS/WHOLEHOMESYSTEMS/RADIORA2/Pages/Overview.aspx

they have so many accessories like occupancy sensors, shading,garage door monitoring/control and even a thermostat. all of this can be remotely monitored from anywhere on earth

 

[MachYou]

For your home HVAC equipment.
Www.nest.com

We just became a authorized dealer/installer and these things are awesome.

 

[crewchief888]

i'm perfectly able to manually turn on a light, or change the thermostat.

 

[3PedalMINI]

if he goes with radio ra2 there is no need in NEST, no sense in switching between the two apps. Besides we ripped out a few of them because of issues with networking and whacky learning systems. one assumed they liked to go down a 55 degrees in the middle of the day , its a neat idea but they are really really buggy.

It was rushed to the mainstream market too quick and most people are finding that they are free beta testers. give them 1 1/2 -2 more years and the system will be pretty cool!

 

[rsa]

I do home theaters, home automation & lighting control for a living...

LOL, after I read that, I immediately looked for your location. I think I'm a little outside your service area but do appreciate system recommendation!

 

[jomobco]

i'm perfectly able to manually turn on a light, or change the thermostat.

I bet you still roll up your car windows by hand too And have one of those push reel mowers

I've got a homeseer hs2 software which is nice. Items can be controlled via iphone. It opens and closes the curtains based on sunset/sunrise times and what you offset from them, turns on and off the porch lights and other interior lights whenever we wish or by whatever trigger we want (motion, time, sunrise/sunset, switch). You can have one switch run multiple items and then change your mind and have it run other items. My wife never comes home to a dark house and it always looks like we're home.

 

[logical]

i'm perfectly able to manually turn on a light, or change the thermostat.

From 100 miles away?

 

[RKA]

if he goes with radio ra2 there is no need in NEST, no sense in switching between the two apps. Besides we ripped out a few of them because of issues with networking and whacky learning systems. one assumed they liked to go down a 55 degrees in the middle of the day , its a neat idea but they are really really buggy.

It was rushed to the mainstream market too quick and most people are finding that they are free beta testers. give them 1 1/2 -2 more years and the system will be pretty cool!

I've been using one since January (so I wasn't among the first wave of adopters) and my experience is inconsistent with your observations. The only glitch I've encountered is the router needs to be completed shut down (FIOS) and unplugged following a power outage in order to allow the thermostat to connect. Unlike some of my other app controlled devices, this was so easy to install, my mother could do it.

 

[crewchief888]

From 100 miles away?

why do i need to?

 

[MachYou]

if he goes with radio ra2 there is no need in NEST, no sense in switching between the two apps. Besides we ripped out a few of them because of issues with networking and whacky learning systems. one assumed they liked to go down a 55 degrees in the middle of the day , its a neat idea but they are really really buggy.

It was rushed to the mainstream market too quick and most people are finding that they are free beta testers. give them 1 1/2 -2 more years and the system will be pretty cool!

We've installed plenty and havent had any problems yet. We just installed 23 in one house. It's has 23 water source heat pumps throughout the house.

 

[JRay]

if he goes with radio ra2 there is no need in NEST, no sense in switching between the two apps. Besides we ripped out a few of them because of issues with networking and whacky learning systems. one assumed they liked to go down a 55 degrees in the middle of the day , its a neat idea but they are really really buggy.

It was rushed to the mainstream market too quick and most people are finding that they are free beta testers. give them 1 1/2 -2 more years and the system will be pretty cool!

I have 2 nests that are linked together at my house and then 2 others linked at my father in laws business. I've never had something so cool in my house.

The ones in the business tend to be a little more glitchy, but he also uses a net gear or linksys router (can't remember) and I would say that is where 90% of those issues arise from. I run apple airport extreme at home and have NEVER had an issue with bugs or connectivity in the 8 months they've been installed.

Not only can you control it from your phone, but it will "sense" when you are no longer there and turn its self into an "auto away" setting that you set it up with. Really a neat product and have been very happy with my purchase.

 

[BD1]

I have trouble using my phone making a call, messages, etc. If I had one of those fancy ones There is no telling what kind of damage I could do.

 

[bad_idea]

I have no valuable input on this thread and I at least have the decency not to clutter it up with smart comments like some others here. Wait.... damn.

 

[Richard D]

why do i need to?

So it's not hot as Hell in the garage when you get there!

I have a 3 ton wall unit in my garage. It has a digital control panel and a remote. No external thermostat. Could I run this thing with my iPhone?

 

[FloridaMike]

So it's not hot as Hell in the garage when you get there!

I have a 3 ton wall unit in my garage. It has a digital control panel and a remote. No external thermostat. Could I run this thing with my iPhone?

There was some talk about programming an arduino to mimic the remotes infrared controls. And then you would possibly just use a temp sensor to to determine what the temp in the room is...output infrared remote control options to change the temp/turn off unit, etc.