Building a new Home around LinuxMCE - Revision history

Mcefan at 04:20, 9 October 2012

2012-10-09T04:20:41Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 04:20, 9 October 2012
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	[[category:tutorials\|Home]]		[[category:tutorials\| Home]]
	==Intro==		==Intro==
	The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.		The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.

Mcefan at 04:20, 9 October 2012

2012-10-09T04:20:04Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 04:20, 9 October 2012
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	[[category: tutorials\| ]]		[[category:tutorials\|Home]]
	==Intro==		==Intro==
	The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.		The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.

Mcefan at 04:19, 9 October 2012

2012-10-09T04:19:09Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 04:19, 9 October 2012
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	[[category: tutorials]]		[[category: tutorials\| ]]
	==Intro==		==Intro==
	The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.		The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.

Chris Caven: /* Controllers versus hard wiring */

2010-02-04T21:12:30Z

Controllers versus hard wiring

←Older revision		Revision as of 21:12, 4 February 2010
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	==Controllers versus hard wiring==		==Controllers versus hard wiring==
	You must now decide whether you want switches for many of the large functions of your home in the communications closet, or whether you will use a home automation system like X10 or Insteon (or ~~Zwave~~).		You must now decide whether you want switches for many of the large functions of your home in the communications closet, or whether you will use a home automation system like X10 or Insteon (or Z-wave).

	If you use one of these home automation systems, buy the switches in advance and install them at the initial construction, instead of traditional switches. It is much less expensive to install them at the outset, making your home ready for home automation, than to swap them out later.		If you use one of these home automation systems, buy the switches in advance and install them at the initial construction, instead of traditional switches. It is much less expensive to install them at the outset, making your home ready for home automation, than to swap them out later.

Perspectoff: /* Plan integration with your swimming pool controls */

2008-06-26T00:24:25Z

Plan integration with your swimming pool controls

←Older revision		Revision as of 00:24, 26 June 2008
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	===Plan integration with your swimming pool controls===		===Plan integration with your swimming pool controls===
	The swimming pool can be controlled by the LinuxMCE system. Make sure you plan to place the controls planned in the communications closet, or at least use X10 or Insteon controllers for the pool switches.		The swimming pool can be controlled by the LinuxMCE system. Make sure you plan to place the controls planned in the communications closet, or at least use X10 or Insteon (or Jandy) controllers for the pool switches.

	===Plan integration with your HVAC system and thermostats===		===Plan integration with your HVAC system and thermostats===

Langstonius at 16:35, 20 June 2008

2008-06-20T16:35:25Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 16:35, 20 June 2008
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			[[category: tutorials]]
	==Intro==		==Intro==
	The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.		The ultimate piece of hardware: your home.

Perspectoff: /* The central hub */

2008-05-23T14:11:20Z

The central hub

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:11, 23 May 2008
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	==The central hub==		==The central hub==
	While [[~~wireless networking~~\|wireless]] is quite popular, interference is always a worry for some homeowners and homebuilders. Therefore, hardwiring Ethernet is still the most popular way to create a home network.		While [[Wireless Networking\|wireless]] is quite popular, interference is always a worry for some homeowners and homebuilders. Therefore, hardwiring Ethernet is still the most popular way to create a home network.

	Each room that has a phone jack or a cable jack ought to have an Ethernet jack as well. All Cat-5 or Cat-6 wiring from the RJ-45 Ethernet jacks in each room should be run to a central closet that is constructed specifically as a communications hub. It doesn't add significant construction cost to run an extra CAT-5 wire at the same time as other low-voltage lines (such as cable, phone, and speaker wires).		Each room that has a phone jack or a cable jack ought to have an Ethernet jack as well. All Cat-5 or Cat-6 wiring from the RJ-45 Ethernet jacks in each room should be run to a central closet that is constructed specifically as a communications hub. It doesn't add significant construction cost to run an extra CAT-5 wire at the same time as other low-voltage lines (such as cable, phone, and speaker wires).

Perspectoff: /* The central hub */

2008-05-23T14:10:52Z

The central hub

←Older revision		Revision as of 14:10, 23 May 2008
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	==The central hub==		==The central hub==
	While wireless is quite popular, interference is always a worry for some homeowners and homebuilders. Therefore, hardwiring Ethernet is still the most popular way to create a home network.		While [[wireless networking\|wireless]] is quite popular, interference is always a worry for some homeowners and homebuilders. Therefore, hardwiring Ethernet is still the most popular way to create a home network.

	Each room that has a phone jack or a cable jack ought to have an Ethernet jack as well. All Cat-5 or Cat-6 wiring from the RJ-45 Ethernet jacks in each room should be run to a central closet that is constructed specifically as a communications hub. It doesn't add significant construction cost to run an extra CAT-5 wire at the same time as other low-voltage lines (such as cable, phone, and speaker wires).		Each room that has a phone jack or a cable jack ought to have an Ethernet jack as well. All Cat-5 or Cat-6 wiring from the RJ-45 Ethernet jacks in each room should be run to a central closet that is constructed specifically as a communications hub. It doesn't add significant construction cost to run an extra CAT-5 wire at the same time as other low-voltage lines (such as cable, phone, and speaker wires).

Perspectoff: /* Controllers versus hard wiring */

2008-05-14T02:26:37Z

Controllers versus hard wiring

←Older revision		Revision as of 02:26, 14 May 2008
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	You must now decide whether you want switches for many of the large functions of your home in the communications closet, or whether you will use a home automation system like X10 or Insteon (or Zwave).		You must now decide whether you want switches for many of the large functions of your home in the communications closet, or whether you will use a home automation system like X10 or Insteon (or Zwave).

	If you use one of these home automation systems, buy the switches in advance and install them at the initial construction, instead of ~~regular~~ switches. It is much less expensive ~~this way~~ your home ~~will be~~ ready for home automation ~~and it takes forever~~ to ~~switch~~ them later on.		If you use one of these home automation systems, buy the switches in advance and install them at the initial construction, instead of traditional switches. It is much less expensive to install them at the outset, making your home ready for home automation, than to swap them out later.

	===Plan integration with home security===		===Plan integration with home security===
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	===Plan integration with your swimming pool controls===		===Plan integration with your swimming pool controls===
	The swimming pool can be controlled by the LinuxMCE system. Make sure you ~~have~~ the controls planned ~~for~~ in the communications closet, or at least ~~using~~ X10 or Insteon controllers.		The swimming pool can be controlled by the LinuxMCE system. Make sure you plan to place the controls planned in the communications closet, or at least use X10 or Insteon controllers for the pool switches.

	===Plan integration with your HVAC system and thermostats===		===Plan integration with your HVAC system and thermostats===
	This is one of the primary reasons to use LinuxMCE: to effect energy savings from an automated home. If you have radiant heat, additonal water heaters, redundant air conditioning systems, make sure all have a control terminus in the communications closet, or at least X10 or Insteon compatible thermostats.		This is one of the primary reasons to use LinuxMCE: to effect energy savings from an automated home. If you have radiant heat, additonal water heaters, redundant air conditioning systems, make sure all of them have a control terminus in the communications closet, or at least X10 or Insteon compatible thermostats.

	~~This is not very often done, as most~~ HVAC contractors are used to a very simple thermostat ~~-- HVAC system~~. You must insist on it. ~~All~~ control wiring ~~must~~ pass though the communications closet~~, or at least~~ have ~~a robust X10 or Insteon control system planned that includes the HVA or other climate control systems~~. This is one of the most important and most often neglected steps in a new construction, when home automation is planned.		Most HVAC contractors are used to a very simple thermostat. You must insist on installing a thermostat compatible with your X10, Insteon, or other home automation control. If not, then all HVAC control wiring should pass though the communications closet and have an additional switch placed there. This is one of the most important and most often neglected steps in a new construction, when home automation is planned.

	~~Don~~'t forget your whole-house fan switch.		Also don't forget your whole-house fan switch.

	My home has a whole house fan, radiant heat, and two HVAC systems. I ~~also~~ have mechanized doors that close off a large part of the house at night (so I don't have to heat the whole house). Each is most efficient at a different time of year, and depending on the weather. Only a computerized system can remember all the variables.		My home has a whole house fan, radiant heat, and two HVAC systems. I have mechanized doors that close off a large part of the house at night (so I don't have to heat the whole house). Each is most efficient at a different time of year, and depending on the weather. Only a computerized system can remember all the variables.

	===Plan integration with your sprinklers and outdoor lighting===		===Plan integration with your sprinklers and outdoor lighting===

Perspectoff: /* Provide extra connectivity to your Home Entertainment Center */

2008-05-14T02:21:35Z

Provide extra connectivity to your Home Entertainment Center

←Older revision		Revision as of 02:21, 14 May 2008
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	Nevertheless, it is still useful to provide an extra RJ-45 jack with CAT-5 wiring to your Entertainment Center (i.e. 2 RJ-45 jacks/wires for Ethernet connections), in addition to your cable (if desired).		Nevertheless, it is still useful to provide an extra RJ-45 jack with CAT-5 wiring to your Entertainment Center (i.e. 2 RJ-45 jacks/wires for Ethernet connections), in addition to your cable (if desired).

	This provides opportunity for a redundant system, or at least a local access point or switch/router in your living room.		This provides opportunity for a redundant system, or at least a local access point or switch/router in your living room. Note that there are many iPod interfaces that will connect to a RJ-45 jack.

	While not strictly necessary, it has been very helpful for me.		While not strictly necessary, it has been very helpful for me.