Rauser Professional Contracting

"Custom Home Building and Remodeling"

Reisterstown, Maryland

serving the entire Baltimore metro area

"Turning visions into reality, with custom homes and renovations since 1981. RPC maximizes satisfaction with a company principal overseeing each project ... plus a lifetime guarantee."

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By Bill Rauser

Thanks to advances in technology, we're fast approaching having home like the Jetson's that will make our lives easier and safer than ever. According to Andrew Finkel, systems integrator at Diversified Technologies (a subcontractor used for custom home clients), the key to incorporating technology into today's construction (whether new home or renovation) is the wiring infrastructure.

Wiring a home to accommodate the needs a customer has now, and even ones the customer doesn't yet anticipate (such as converting a child's bedroom into a home office several years from now or even incorporating video conferencing technology in an existing home-based business), makes the investment pay for itself many times over. It pays for itself in the context of providing flexibility and convenience for the homeowner to use home space differently over time, plus the resale value of such home management systems is averaging $3-$4 for every dollar the homeowner spends on the system.

Mr. Finkel says that these home management systems, especially those being installed in custom homes, are so sophisticated they can accommodate up to 64 individual thermostats and 128 outlets or lights at the press of a few keys on a phone, keypad, or via the Internet--even if you're in a different country). Many customers have the whole house wired to accommodate computers and put a server in the basement like "command central."

Additionally, the home management system not only provides incredible versatility for the client to adapt over time or to program different appliances and lighting patterns (especially handy for those who travel a lot but want the house to look "lived in"), but it is all connected to a security system with Maryland-based monitoring. If there is a fire, for instance, the system automatically sounds an alarm, calls 911 immediately, shuts all fans and heating/air conditioning systems off in the house, turns on all hallway lights, and indicates on a key pad the exact location of the fire. Additionally, it even turns all outdoor lights on in a flashing mode to make it easier for emergency crews to find the house.

Mr. Finkel said that while many homeowners are fortunate enough to not experience an emergency as dramatic as a fire, potential emergencies can be avoided thanks to the home technology. He cites January's recent ice storm as an example of the sensor capability that saved homeowners thousands of dollars. Specifically, if the homeowner is away and the temperature in the house drops below 39 degrees, the system will automatically call up to eight numbers pre-designated by the homeowner (one of which could be the HAVC contractor designated by the homeowner). Think of the thousands of dollars in damage that frozen pipes could have caused.

With technology changing every day, including a recently introduced refrigerator that can even make a grocery list (based on the food the homeowner normally keeps in the fridge), we're probably not far away from Joan Jetson's home where she can even mix the cake from a remote location. Nonetheless, the existing technology is making our lives safer and easier every day. How smart is your home?

Bill rauser is president of rauser Professional Contracting, builders of custom homes and remodeling projects. He can be reached at 410-833-3883 or visit the web site at http://www.rauser.com.