Wire your new home for the 21st century
February 9, 2011
Chris Mills
SPECIAL TO THE STAR
Jason Dell shakes his head in wonder when he sees someone design a custom home without wiring for electronics and automation.
“Eighty per cent of people aren’t even aware of the industry,” says the 34-year-old owner of Dell Smart Home Solutions in Niagara. “I’m always amazed that huge mansions worth millions of dollars — with the top end of everything, flooring, furniture, cabinetry — and they miss something like a lighting control, what I call decorating with light in terms of quantity of light to set the mood. These people don’t consider the value to their home life that these assets bring.
“It’s like putting Zellers-style fluorescent lights into a Keg (restaurant). It just doesn’t work.”
Jason and his wife Christine have a passion for their industry, given its almost exclusive nature.
Despite the downturn in new housing since the economic crash in 2008, Dell has hired new staff.
“Our word-of-mouth is bursting,” says Dell, whose company ( www.dellsmarthomesolutions.com).
“The products have gotten far more attractive now, so that they enhance rather than become a detriment to the decor. Plus the fact is that the technology is getting more entry level for more people.”
The level and breadth of product employed by electronics designers can range phenomenally.
Components like speakers and large panel TVs are only a fraction of the technology. The components that control it and processors hidden behind panels are the real heroes.
Even if you knew what they were, fathoming the intricate interconnectivity of it all would demand an education that falls off the radar for most people.
That’s why there’s a need for people like Jason Dell.
Dell is a Certified Professional Designer under the Custom Electronics Design and Installation Association (CEDIA). He selects the appropriate products and materials to design individual integrated residential systems (everything from security to telephone, cable TV, network, satellite TV, data, audio, video, home theatre, HVAC and lighting control), all on an integrated platform that ensures they work together. Under the certification, he must have at least five years experience to gain the credentials.
Home owners can start with simple entry level wiring that begins at about $800 for entry level wiring in a new home under construction. Or Dell can design a $15,000 to $250,000 video, home theatre, lighting control, audio, security and automation system.
Now add touchpads, network switches, controllers, audio servers, expanders and distributors — not to mention switches, output cards, processors and amplifiers — and it’s no wonder consumers’ eyes start to glaze over.
“People get gun shy when you discuss the technology,” says Dell. “But it’s very stable and very reliable when using professional products, installed professionally.”
Dell can also install a simple light control, fireplace, stereo and TV in a living room for $2,000 to $5,000.
If building or renovating, one of the most important elements is the wiring, and that begins at the construction phase. Everything can be added later.
“It’s always the most cost effective, reliable and secure to hardwire than to add wireless after construction,” says Dell. “First off, it’s guaranteed to work.
“Wireless technology, however, is all around you, from your microwave, to your garage door opener, to your cellphone, TV remotes and laptops. And they all fight with each other for airwaves.
“We’re always telling people that if they’re building new or renovating, don’t neglect the chance to install the proper wiring infrastructure.”
Dell no longer has to convince Niagara custom and new home builders. He and Christine are on a first name basis with just about every one since he’s wired most of their own houses with his systems.
In addition to their St. Catharines showroom, the couple’s own home is a showpiece. He estimates about $150,000 went into the wiring and components of the 2,500-square-foot two-storey he and his wife share with children, Jacob, 9, and Serafina, 6.
“I’m not a hard sell salesman,” says Dell. “I just show people what they can do.”
Upon bedtime, Dell can push one button at his bedside that says “Goodnight.” It turns off the lights, sets the alarm, checks that the garage doors are closed, the locks are set, ensures the fireplace is turned off and sets the thermostat for the night.
In the same way, the single keypad in each room can set the lights to bright or dim, set and adjust the audio and control the automation and security, thereby eliminating rows of light and control switches — what Dell calls “wall acne.”
A rack of audio receivers, DVD players and satellite receivers hidden in the basement feeds the home entertainment system that runs throughout the house, including a juicy entertainment complex in the backyard.
“What we do in a house isn’t necessary,” concurs Dell. “People need insulation, but they don’t get excited about it. But people we help really get excited about what we do. People want to work with us because what we do is fun.”
COMING ELECTRONIC TRENDS
According to CEDIA, an international certification, standardizing and networking association based in Indianapolis, only about 250 CEDIA (of 3,500 worldwide) companies exist in Canada. These include manufacturers and distributors, as well as contractors like the Dells.
Contractors design and install everything from security to telephone, cable TV, network, satellite TV, data, audio, video, home theatre, HVAC and lighting control, all on an integrated platform that ensures they work together.
“Out west in B.C. and Alberta, the industry is booming,” says CEDIA Canadian liaison Laura Moorhouse. “People jump on new technology quickly, but while the GTA is steady, it’s not as robust. It’s only just being touched in the Maritimes.”
And while hard wiring is the way to go, contends Moorhouse, the myriad available wireless systems has carried the industry since the housing downturn due to its popularity and ease of access in existing housing.
CEDIA’s technological branch offers some predictions for the greatest advances for 2010:
• Green technology that cuts energy use, including photovoltaic solar cells that skip the bulky battery stage and simply sells excess electricity back to the power company.
• Greater mobility with smaller remotes controlling automation throughout the house.
• Even thinner OLED (organic light emitting diode) televisions that boast superior pictures and greater energy efficiency.
• Digital everything.
• Wireless technology.
• Greater advances are also expected in gaming devices with dedicated environments designed into entertainment rooms, and further advances in telecommuting with homeowners who’ll embrace the electronic revolution of home office technology.