Section: Home Audio/Video/Security
Q:
Will my alarm work when I change to Comcast for my phone service?
A:
In almost all instances, there should be no problem with your alarm when you switch your phone service provider. There are a few items that need to be addressed to ensure that the transition is smooth. First, your security panel has to have a digital dialer/communicator. Second, the service technicians who install the new phone service may need to rewire some of the phone jacks to ensure proper connection to the alarm system.
Most security panels today will already have the correct dialer/communicator as part of the system. The technician that visits your house should have the basic understanding of telephone wiring needed to be able to properly hook up your security panel in the same way that it was originally connected.
It may be that you have a security system that is NOT connected to the phones for your monitoring. If this is the case, you need not do anything. These alarm systems use a type of cell phone format to communicate to the monitoring company. If you are unsure of which method your security system communicates to the monitoring company, the company that installed your alarm or your monitoring company should be able to provide you with that information.
A final scenario would be if your security system is not connected to any kind of monitoring company. If this is the case your security system is not affected by the phone lines and you don't need to do anything when you switch phone service providers.
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Section: Home Audio/Video/Security
Q:
Do you install video security systems? If so, what does the average one-camera security system cost?
A:
Yes I do install cameras. A one camera security system that I install will allow you to view the camera from any web enabled phone or computer. It will be speced out for the application you intend to use it. There are some prerequisites in order to make this happen. Please feel free to give me a call so I can better quallify a system for you. We do not just sell boxes. I can be reached at 209-239-1413. Thank you for your question.
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Section: Home Audio/Video/Security
Q:
What is home automation?
A:
Q: In past articles you’ve talked about “home automation.” What exactly IS home automation and how can it save my family money?
A: Great question! Home Automation (HA) takes your security system to a whole new level and definitely can save your family money every month. The three main functions of HA are security, lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Cooling).
First, HA can be part of your home security system, but it is so much more than an “alarm.” Your average alarm detects when there is an intruder in your house and, if monitored, alerts the monitoring company so that they can contact the police and dispatch them to your home. With HA your security system will alert the monitoring company in the same way, but it can also call your cell phone or any other designated number you assign it. Wouldn’t you like to know that your alarm is going off without having to wait for the middle man? It can also tie in to your smoke detector/fire alarm, but I will talk about that a little later. Think you forgot to arm your system when you left the house? No problem you can even call up the system or contact it from the internet and confirm that you did arm the house or arm it for peace of mind. If you have closed circuit TV cameras, you can take a peek at your yard and see who has been around; with a DVR you can record an intruder and this can help police if there is a break in or vandalism in your yard.
Convenience and money-saving are key benefits of the HA system. With a HA system you can program exactly how you would like the lighting in your house to operate. Arrive home and disarm your alarm, this triggers the inside lights to come on so you have a safely lit passage through the house. Going to be away for a while, when you arm your system away it can trigger the lights to come on and make it appear that someone is home. “That’s all convenient,” you say, “but how does that save me money?” Well, once the system controls your lights, it can run them at 80% power. You won’t notice much in the way of the lighting but you will be saving 20% off your energy bill since you will be using less power. With your lights programmed, you also won’t have to worry about forgetting to turn off lights and wasting electricity. You can program the lights to go off as soon as you arm your house for the night.
My favorite benefit of the HA system is what it can do for your HVAC system. Ever forget to turn off your heater/AC when you leave the house? Why waste money and energy by heating or cooling a house that has no one there? When you arm your HA system “away’, it automatically adjusts the HVAC to save energy and money. When you arrive home and disarm the system, it automatically resets the HVAC to make your house more comfortable for your family. Want your house to be a certain temperature for your arrival? No problem, call up the house or go on the internet and tell the house to change the temperature. This system takes your smart thermostat and makes it near genius.
Hopefully, this has answered your question about what Home Automation is and how it can make your house more convenient and economical. Still have questions? Feel free to call us at California Built-ins 209-239-1413 or visit our web site www.californiabuiltins.com. Home Automation is this and so much more. Unfortunately, I can’t fit it all into this article.
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Section: Home Audio/Video/Security
Q:
I want to have only ONE remote control for my TV!
A:
If you find that you have way too many remote controls in your house, you are not alone. Many people have separate remote controls to control each piece of electronic equipment they own, whether it be a TV, cable box, satellite receiver, DVD player, etc. Fortunately, there is a simple solution that can solve the problem of having too many remotes controls; it’s called a “Programmable Remote Control.” This remote control can be programmed to operate more than one piece of equipment at a time and can simplify the activities you do with each piece of equipment. Each activity programmed in is clearly listed making the remote extremely user friendly. These new programmable remotes can even make your life more convenient as they can control your lighting, thermostat and with some you can view your front door camera. This will make the system you spent hundreds or even thousands of dollars on even more convenient and efficient! Remember this is a tool to simplify your experience with the technology you have purchased. Still have questions about programmable remotes and how they can simplify your life? California Built-In System is holding an open house focusing on Programmable Remote Controls November 7, 2009. Invites can be viewed on the web site www.californiabuiltins.com , just click on the picture of the remote control or call for details 209-239-1413.
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