Home Automation Financials
Depending on the design/features of Home Automation systems and depending on who installs your system cost can vary from few hundreds to several thousands of dollars.
A 10 rooms simple lighting design with no computer control but complete remote control capability of lights and installed by yourself would cost:
- X10: $199
- Insteon: $600
- UPB: $900
- Z-Wave: $1,300
The same 10 rooms complete automation design with computer control, alarm system, audio and video distribution installed by yourself would cost:
- X10: $12,000
- Insteon: $28,000
- UPB: $38,000
- Z-Wave: $45,000
The most expensive Home Automation design I prepared and implemented was about $75,000 in material with everything you can imagine and even more!
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Unless you have unlimited budget – not my case, I would recommend to work one step at the time and not make the errors that many do:
Assess your current situation:
- New house being built
- Very old wiring
- Non-standard wiring
- …
What do you want to accomplish?
- Complete home automation system
- Just automated lights
- Temperature control
- Multimedia distribution
- Security system
- …
What are your skills? (see note below)
- Not an handy person
- Well aware of home electrical wiring
- Skilled DIY
- …
Note: Remember that electricity is very dangerous and will kill you in a heartbeat. Electricity can also start fires very easily, and fires can also kill you. The best way to get your home wired is by a certified professional who knows your local codes.
Cost savings generated by home automation
A fully managed house with the latest home automation will save you money but not as much as I read. Some installers and retailers claim that home automation will cut your energy bill by 50% or that your equipment would self finance in less than a year.
My home is fully automated since early 2000 and average savings is about 30%. Based on a monthly average of $100 for electricity and $100 for gas, my yearly savings is around $500 – my installation would pay for itself in 30 years!
