New Construction - HELP!!!

[GatorEye]

I can't believe I'm actually going to get to build a new home! I feel like there is a lot of pressure because I have a chance to do everything I want (that I can afford) right from the beginning and I'm afraid if I miss something, I'll be kicking myself down the road.

I have HS doing nothing right now except TTS...weather stuff, event reminders, and a few custom scripts I wrote. I've waited for almost two years to finally get a chance to be in my own home and do some real automation and the time is coming.

Now I'll be ready to jump into Z-Wave, but I'm afraid I don't know the right questions to ask (and what if the electrician doesn't know any more than I do)?

1) If I want Z-Wave light switches... how do I know which ones to get, how many, and do I simply buy them and give them to the electrician and say, "Install these."?

2) If the lights in the bedroom are installed in a fan, is there a different type of switch I'll need to control the light and the fan?

3) The house will supposedly be prewired for an alarm system. But I want to be able to have access to know what doors, windows, etc are opened and closed. Is there something I have to tell them on how to wire everything (or what to wire it into) so I can get all the contact info into HS?

4) If I want speakers in most of the rooms but don't know how I will use them, what should they be wired to? For example I might have a rack of PC's with each one running a speaker client for each room. How would I wire a speaker for that?

5) What would I need for temperature sensors in each room?

6) I think I will have three a/c units (one for each floor). Do I need 3 seperate Z-Wave thermostats and which one?

7) How would I know where I need to run cable?

8) If I envisioned having touchscreens in some of the walls (bedrooms hallways), how would I have the power done to those areas so they can be plugged in? Do I have an outlet put inside the wall at those locations?


Is there a "Plan your new house for home automation for Dummies" guide somewhere?

It's exciting yet overwhelming. HELP!

[kaldoon]

Originally Posted by GatorEye

I can't believe I'm actually going to get to build a new home! I feel like there is a lot of pressure because I have a chance to do everything I want (that I can afford) right from the beginning and I'm afraid if I miss something, I'll be kicking myself down the road.

I have HS doing nothing right now except TTS...weather stuff, event reminders, and a few custom scripts I wrote. I've waited for almost two years to finally get a chance to be in my own home and do some real automation and the time is coming.

Now I'll be ready to jump into Z-Wave, but I'm afraid I don't know the right questions to ask (and what if the electrician doesn't know any more than I do)?

1) If I want Z-Wave light switches... how do I know which ones to get, how many, and do I simply buy them and give them to the electrician and say, "Install these."?

2) If the lights in the bedroom are installed in a fan, is there a different type of switch I'll need to control the light and the fan?

3) The house will supposedly be prewired for an alarm system. But I want to be able to have access to know what doors, windows, etc are opened and closed. Is there something I have to tell them on how to wire everything (or what to wire it into) so I can get all the contact info into HS?

4) If I want speakers in most of the rooms but don't know how I will use them, what should they be wired to? For example I might have a rack of PC's with each one running a speaker client for each room. How would I wire a speaker for that?

5) What would I need for temperature sensors in each room?

6) I think I will have three a/c units (one for each floor). Do I need 3 seperate Z-Wave thermostats and which one?

7) How would I know where I need to run cable?

8) If I envisioned having touchscreens in some of the walls (bedrooms hallways), how would I have the power done to those areas so they can be plugged in? Do I have an outlet put inside the wall at those locations?


Is there a "Plan your new house for home automation for Dummies" guide somewhere?

It's exciting yet overwhelming. HELP!

Congratulations on the new house - these are some good questions

First do you have a layout of the house - sit down with layout and decide what kind of electronics(computers, tv's, music, cable, etc) are going in each room then run a couple a extra drops it is easier to run wire before the walls go up? Do you have a video camera / digital camera take lots of pictures of the wiring before the sheet rock goes up - it will come in handy.

Have you broke ground of your house yet? Remember "How Do You Eat An Elephant?" One Bite at a Time

[sacarino]

Originally Posted by GatorEye

Now I'll be ready to jump into Z-Wave, but I'm afraid I don't know the right questions to ask (and what if the electrician doesn't know any more than I do)?

I'd be impressed if the sparky knew more than you do regarding Z-wave (or any other control protocol, for that matter).

Originally Posted by GatorEye

1) If I want Z-Wave light switches... how do I know which ones to get, how many, and do I simply buy them and give them to the electrician and say, "Install these."?

2) If the lights in the bedroom are installed in a fan, is there a different type of switch I'll need to control the light and the fan?

3) The house will supposedly be prewired for an alarm system. But I want to be able to have access to know what doors, windows, etc are opened and closed. Is there something I have to tell them on how to wire everything (or what to wire it into) so I can get all the contact info into HS?

4) If I want speakers in most of the rooms but don't know how I will use them, what should they be wired to? For example I might have a rack of PC's with each one running a speaker client for each room. How would I wire a speaker for that?

5) What would I need for temperature sensors in each room?

6) I think I will have three a/c units (one for each floor). Do I need 3 seperate Z-Wave thermostats and which one?

7) How would I know where I need to run cable?

8) If I envisioned having touchscreens in some of the walls (bedrooms hallways), how would I have the power done to those areas so they can be plugged in? Do I have an outlet put inside the wall at those locations?


Is there a "Plan your new house for home automation for Dummies" guide somewhere?

It's exciting yet overwhelming. HELP!

1. What kind of lighting arrangements are you going to have determines the type of switches you'll install? Couple overhead bulb lights in the mud room can be a simple dimmer, the 10 recessed cans with CFLs in the living room would need to be a relay. Put together your lighting needs and then you can intelligently talk switches.

2. Tell the sparky you want two leads to the fan housing from the box, one for the fan and one for the light... he'd probably do that anyway, but can't hurt to put it down. Then you can have one switch for the light, one for the fan, which is all sorts of handy.

3. You could cobble something together to read the inputs but if you have any intention of using it as a security system, you probably want to have a real security panel there like an Elk... for both future use, when/if you leave, and because the insurance company is likely going to have a hard time with a security system that is your computer.

4. You could go that route but it'd be pricey to run those machines simply for a client speaker.... better route is one machine with multiple sound cards, I would think.

5. Depends on how you go about it. The 1 wire stuff is pretty popular, although I have no experience with it.

6. If you have 3 totally separate units, yes. If you have a zoned system, then you can get an intelligent zone controller and dumb thermostats (up, down, mode)

7. Haha, that's easy... everywhere! Cable is cheaper to install now than it will be later. If you have a wall that you might want X at later, might want to run cables now.

8. You can put a junction box there and directly tie into a 110v touchscreen (no plugs!), or you can use a low voltage touchscreen and have the transformer for that located somewhere where you can replace it if it dies... long as it's nearby, the DC voltage loss shouldn't be an issue. A receptacle in the wall is a big no.

[Uncle Michael]

Originally Posted by GatorEye

1) If I want Z-Wave light switches... how do I know which ones to get, how many, and do I simply buy them and give them to the electrician and say, "Install these."?

2) If the lights in the bedroom are installed in a fan, is there a different type of switch I'll need to control the light and the fan?

I have no experience with Z-wave, but you will want to be able to return the house to non-HA condition if you sell, so the wiring should be completely standard. As far as the switches to choose, your best bet is to think through your lighting design in as much detail as possible. This is important for specifying the location and types of lights in any case, but it will also help you assess how many switches for each room, which lights they each control, and what properties would be beneficial. Given that Z-wave relies on a mesh network, it is not likely to be practical to install a few to see how they work. You'll need a pretty complete network to get a good system. In my case I did just what you suggest. I purchased the switches I wanted to use and worked with the electrician to determine which switch went where. Remember, you don't need to use an automated switch in every switch location. You can convert conventional switches to Z-wave later if you find that would be useful.

3) The house will supposedly be prewired for an alarm system. But I want to be able to have access to know what doors, windows, etc are opened and closed. Is there something I have to tell them on how to wire everything (or what to wire it into) so I can get all the contact info into HS?

The only question is the alarm panel to choose. Elk seems to be a good choice for connecting to HS. Once you have selected the panel, the wiring to it will be standard. You will definitely want it to run independently of HS. Once the security system is up and running and thoroughly checked out, you can install the proper plug-in and tie it into HS.

4) If I want speakers in most of the rooms but don't know how I will use them, what should they be wired to? For example I might have a rack of PC's with each one running a speaker client for each room. How would I wire a speaker for that?

The best way to wire speakers is to run speaker level wire and CatX wire to each speaker location. From there, run the wires past a location where you might want to install a local control panel. From there, run all wires back to a central location - your wiring closet. Once you decide what you want to do, you can select the wires that make that system work and bundle the others for future use.

5) What would I need for temperature sensors in each room?

There are several choices. You could put a thermostat in each room, or just a thermometer, which could be 1-wire, wireless, or ???. I'd run CatX wire (lots of it if you can) to each room. I don't know of anyone who has regretted running too much wire, but everyone wishes he'd run wire somewhere where he didn't when he had the chance.

6) I think I will have three a/c units (one for each floor). Do I need 3 seperate Z-Wave thermostats and which one?

You will appreciate having separate thermostats. You should also assess whether any of the floors need more than one zone, because the HVAC installation will be different if you do. In that case I'd install a thermostat in each zone, so you might need more than 3. They don't have to be Z-wave, but that makes sense given your plan to use Z-wave for lighting.

7) How would I know where I need to run cable?

You don't. Clearly you need cables for audio and video distribution. You will also need network cables, even if you plan to use wireless networking. As I noted earlier, run as much CatX as you can. If I were doing it over, I'd run 4 CatX from the wiring closet to each wall of each major room and just leave it behind the wall board. (Label the wires well at the closet end and take pictures before the walls get closed in. I found a video camera was particularly helpful for this.) You can get a 'toner' to help locate the cables later. It's a simple radio transmitter that you attach to the end of the cable that turns the cable into a broadcast antenna. A second receiver device emits a tone when it is near the cable.

Is there a "Plan your new house for home automation for Dummies" guide somewhere?

It's exciting yet overwhelming. HELP!

There are some of these, but I am not aware of any recent ones and the ones I've seen are pretty lame. The key points:

• Think through what you may want to do and be sure you have the wire in place to do it.
• Plan for a central location where you will install you control equipment - your wiring closet. Run all wire to that location. (If you were doing hard wired lighting control, that would come there too, but in your case you can use standard round-robin electrical wiring.)
• Run more wire than you have a definite need for. New opportunities will arise and/or occur to you later. It's frustrating when lack of wire is the only barrier. CatX is extremely versatile and amazingly inexpensive. You can distribute IR, digital audio, HD video, and LAN with it. You can use it for a long-distance serial connection. You can use it for 1-wire, or any other low voltage application.
• Coax can be useful, but digital signal capability is making it less so.
• Install empty conduit from the wiring closet to the attic so you can run the wire you forget. (You'll probably need to cap it to pass inspection. Open 'chimneys' are not popular among building inspectors because they facilitate the spread of fire.)

[gearyt]

Originally Posted by GatorEye

Now I'll be ready to jump into Z-Wave, but I'm afraid I don't know the right questions to ask (and what if the electrician doesn't know any more than I do)?

He probably won't

1) If I want Z-Wave light switches... how do I know which ones to get, how many, and do I simply buy them and give them to the electrician and say, "Install these."?

He can obtain wholesale ... but may mark up to retail, you can get good pricing on the web ( and here ) I would go with either leviton or cooper

2) If the lights in the bedroom are installed in a fan, is there a different type of switch I'll need to control the light and the fan?

yes, fan's are typical 3 speed and require a special switch ( leviton VRF01-1LX for example ) different loads require different switches, be sure ahd have him/her run neutrals to all boxes ( just in case needed at a later date )

3) The house will supposedly be prewired for an alarm system. But I want to be able to have access to know what doors, windows, etc are opened and closed. Is there something I have to tell them on how to wire everything (or what to wire it into) so I can get all the contact info into HS?

yes... you will need home runs to wherever you desire the "panel" to be
and you need to know where they put the wires at the windows, doors, smoke detectors, etc... so you can find them. The alarm panel ( ie: DSC ) will communicate to HS

4) If I want speakers in most of the rooms but don't know how I will use them, what should they be wired to? For example I might have a rack of PC's with each one running a speaker client for each room. How would I wire a speaker for that?

wire for a 70 volt system for interior rooms and outside. wire for a 7.1 home theater system in your family or TV room(s)

5) What would I need for temperature sensors in each room?

6) I think I will have three a/c units (one for each floor). Do I need 3 seperate Z-Wave thermostats and which one?

I use RCS and they will utilize a remote sensor(s), but still 3 would be the best route IMO

7) How would I know where I need to run cable?

alarms - every window, most doors, motion sensors, glass break, keypads at front and rear doors ( garage ) and near bed in Master B/R

8) If I envisioned having touchscreens in some of the walls (bedrooms hallways), how would I have the power done to those areas so they can be plugged in? Do I have an outlet put inside the wall at those locations?

yes


Is there a "Plan your new house for home automation for Dummies" guide somewhere?

It's exciting yet overwhelming. HELP!

remember... it's easy to install wiring prior to the walls going up
the above are only MY opinions and reflect the way I did my house

[sdanks]

Alarm system: You might ask them to "homerun" the wire from groups of windows that are together. It will require an alarm panel that has more inputs, but I would want to know if someone opened a window in the livingroom or the bedroom at the front of the house. I had this done, but they overkilled it. They ran one wire from each window. I didnt really care about that, but it was more that I asked for so I didnt complain. I had 3 windows in the livingroom that were right next to each other. So I didnt really care for a wire from each one, but I did want it separate from the windows on the second floor. See what I mean?

Then later when you integrate your alarm system you will know which set of windows were opened so you can turn on the lights and camera at that location. . .

Also, in Oklahoma you dont have to be licensed to run low voltage wires so I ran all of my network drops and all of my speaker drops and it saved me a ton of money. I bought a box of cat6 at the electrical supply store (1000') and pulled it all myself. I did a better job tacking it all down than the electricians did on the phone lines. If they will let you and you have any friends that would help you could do it yourself. especially if one of your friends knows about wiring and construction.

Also, Cocoontech has some articles about how to wire your house. I found one called Wiring your new house 101.zip:
http://www.cocoontech.com/forums/ind...ds&showfile=64

[GatorEye]

This is all great stuff guys. Thanks for helping me get started. The document from Cocoontech is VERY useful to start thinking about things.

The home is almost designed, but not quite done. It unfortunately doesn't look like I'll have enough room for a wiring closet downstairs, but I'm still trying to see what I can come up with. I'm guessing to have it upstairs makes it more expensive and complicated.

It now looks like the a/c will only be two units. I was hoping to finish off the attic and making that the office/computer room, but it doesn't look like the budget for that is going to happen.

One of my biggest concern is that since I don't know exactly how I am going to implement certain features. I don't even know how to prepare for it.

Take my home house audio for example. I know I want it at some point, but I have no idea at this time how I would implement it so I don't even know how to wire for it. It's things like that which are really frustrating me.

Say I want I weather station outside. Do I just run a ton of extra Cat5e to an outside wall (since it seems like it can be used for just about everything)?

I mentioned a rack of PC's for different rooms because I wasn't sure if I would be driving touchscreens or maybe each one with a tuner card to run tv/video on the touchscreen in addition to audio, and who knows what else. Again - frustrating myself.

I'm guessing if I do nothing else, I at least need to have 4 or 5 runs of Cat5e to every room along with 2 RG6QS and wire the sensors for the alarm into an Elk.

I see a lot of reference to 1-wire. I guess I need to do more research on that. What is that wired into?

I'm supposed to meet with the builder's LV guy so I guess I'll see if he can give me some feedback as well.

Can anyone give me an idea of what their budget was to run all this cable (if you didn't do it yourself)?

[gearyt]

For A/V info,,, check out www.blu-ray.com
lots of info on building a home theater from scratch

If you are going to have the attic walled, have the HVAC guy run his stuff and cap off for future A/C unit... remember... cheaper prior to walls going up !!

[jromanowski]

I just completed my house in April and had all the same questions. Feel free to contact me privately from this board and I will be glad to help. In summary:

1. I chose ZWave. I researched and tested various switches and then ordered them for the electrician to install. Most electricians don't know these switches but love to learn them. I was VERY shrewd with 3 way circuits and only have 3 in my house where necessary. I find that electricians if they have their own way, there are far too many switches in the house. I love the switches I purchased but unfortunately they are discontinued (for now). They are INTHA18C which are toggle style (not decora) that dim. They alway return to center which I think is the right way to go.

2. I wanted fan lights too. This is the way to go. I made sure the unit could be controlled by 2 switches. One for the fan and one for the light. The light is dimmable and the fan has a 3 speed fan switch both zWave. Works great. I needed special fan switches and I ordered LEVVRF01-1LX which are decora style. This works great in the same switchplate since the switches look completely different so one is fan and one is light. Fairly intuitive.

3. I did not go with a traditional alarm system. I use motion sensors, video and door sensors with HomeSeer. It has audible warnings and emails and text messages me.

4. I installed a 6 zone whole house audio system from Russsound. I am happy with the product and it looks and sounds great. I designed a wiring closet on the first floor that everything home-runs to. The only thing I wish I did was make it bigger and have better ventilation. In my TV room, I shared the ceiling speakers with the surround sound using an autosensing switchbox from Niles. TV is secondary and radio is master. This way when Homeseer makes an announcement through the PA option of the Russound, it interrupts the TV speakers (back only) and makes the announcement without blocking the entire sound of the TV. Works great.

5. I use the HSM100 zwave multi-sensors. You should read this forum about their quirks but after getting them installed, I have very good luck with them so far. I have 5 of them and these not only do temp but turn on lights based on motion, current light conditions and time. I also have one in my garage for security.

6. I use the Wayne Dalton zWave thermostats. I love them. It controls both heat and A/C. I showed these to the contractor before installation to make sure the units I had installed were compatible. No problem and they installed them.

7. I tried not to run too much cable like I did in my first house. I chose to run wire to the external doors, video camera locations, speakers and a few CAT 5 for data. Everything else is wireless. I mad sure I had conduit piping in my closet to the attic and basement so I can run stuff later if necessary.

8. I did wire for 2 touchscreens envisioning Power over Ethernet but chose not to install. I am testing out wireless and when the ITouch is available, I will decide which way to go. One bad thing about wireless, my 7 year old dropped one on the hardwood floor and it no longer works.

9. Other thoughts - I love the cameras where it records and I can view over the internet. I wired for outdoor and indoor low-voltage lighting - lots of options now. I wired for irrigation and garage door controls from Homeseer - you need to think this through early. Put plugs behind your toilets! Heated toilet seats are cheap and gets more talk than the electronics. Plan conduit piping near TVs where you can hide all the components and use repeaters. Zwave does have distant issues if you have something far away. You may want to hard wire something now for future repeaters.

I use HomeTroller and it works well most of the time. For some reason it is crashing and I am not sure. Once I solve this, everything will be 100%.

Sorry for the long message. Good Luck.