Smart Technology

To be able to see and talk to someone at the door
For new homes, ethernet wiring offloads a lot of the work the router has to do, along with creating very high speed, powered and secure communications to various devices
For devices that have to work on Wi-Fi, access points create better communications to the router, reducing its request load.
Smart circuit breaker panel that allows remote shutoff during service or when there is a power failure, along with monitoring how much power each circuit breaker is delivering.
Feature What It Does Partner Link
Intercom system and source for music, news, and weather Smart speakers and smart video panels situated in a number of the home. Amazon Echo Hub
Autoslide Wide and tall sliding glass doors are heavy, and can be difficult for some people to open. Having a motorized opener, makes this much easier. These can be operated by a remote switch, or via an RFID tag worn by a dog. Autoslide Sliding Glass Opener
Deadbolts Keyless entry – Unlock with a code, smartphone app, fingerprint, or even a voice assistant instead of (or in addition to) a physical key.

Remote control – Lock or unlock from anywhere via an app (requires Wi-Fi or a smart home hub).

Auto-locking – Set the door to lock automatically after a certain time or when you leave.

Guest access – Create temporary or recurring codes for family, friends, or service providers, and revoke them at any time.
Garage door openers Garage doors can be opened, closed, and monitored remotely. Doors can also be closed after a period of time as well as at a given time at night. Unique codes can also be created. Openers have their own internal backup battery for a power outage.
Window Coverings Window coverings are motorized so that they can easily be opened either via an app or a remote control. The coverings are also on a schedule to allow them to opened and closed based upon the time of the day. Power for the openers are centralized so no batteries are needed. Primary bedroom have blackout shades and side covers to minimize sunlight from getting into the room. . Hunter Douglas
Touch- or voice-activation operation of kitchen and garage faucets To prevent cross contamination when using a faucet, a clean part of one’s hand or arm can activate it by simply touching any part of the faucet, or moving in front of a motion sensor Delta Faucet Touch2O
Dispense specific amount of water by voice at kitchen and island sinks To allow for dispensing water from 4 ounces (~120 ml) to many gallons by voice activation. Especially helpful for dispensing a specific amount of water when filling of a pot without overflowing it. Delta Faucet Touch2O
Control steam shower and aromatherapy by voice or via an app To be able to turn on the steam shower and aromatherapy remotely as it takes at least 10 minutes for the steam to build up to a desired temperature before use. Brizo
Control heated floor, bench, and bench back via an app To have the shower floor, bench and bench back warmed prior to using the shower to minimize stepping onto a warm floor. SunTouch
Smart doorbell To visually see who is at the door and to communicate with them remotely Ring
Video Cameras Auto tracking of movement around the exterior of the home any time of day or night. Cameras are connected to ethernet to easily see activity outside the home and CD Micro memory cards store data for up to 1 month.
Multi-Function Toaster Oven Allows for easy access to cooking food as the door does not extend far out from the unit.
Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) To replace stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air with an integrated heat exchanger https://iaq.na.panasonic.com/erv
LG Heat Pump System controlled and monitored by an App LG HVAC
LG Forced Air Units The Idea Home has three separate heating / cooling forced air units creating zones that are each controlled by individual smart thermostats that are set via an app, and to better cool the 2nd floor as one furnace/air conditioner located in a lower level of a home struggles with moving cool air to an elevated level. System allows for reminding when filter need to be replaced. LG HVAC
LG Hot Water Heat Pump Control the heat pump water heater by an app along with monitoring heater for potential maintenance. LG Heat Pump Water Heater
Solar Panel System Solar system to minimize electrical costs
DC to AC Micro converter and Controller for Solar System To allow DC power generated from the solar panels to then be converted to AC power to be used in the home or excess power directed to grid. Enphase IQ8 Series Microinverters
Backup battery power source To have a source of temporary power when there is a power failure, or to use its stored power during times of the day when utility costs are the highest. LG Energy Storage Solutions
Smart Light Switches, Dimmers, and Motion Sensors To be able to turn on and dim ceiling, coffer, chandeliers, pendant, can, sconce, and security lights through the home, either remotely, via a schedule, through a smart speaker, or at the device.
Smart GFCIs To be notified when a GFCI is tripped as it can be a long time before one knows it has gone off. .
Smart Power Plugs To turn floor lights and outdoor Christmas lights remotely or via voice.
Smart load centers (circuit breaker panels) Span Load Center panels allow for dynamic backup power control during a blackout utilizing a backup battery or power generator.
It allows for monitoring of all circuits to see how power is being used.
It allows for load management of power, especially during the day when solar power is available.
It simplified the installation of solar and backup battery.
There is better support for EVs by being able to dynamically control how much power is being delivered to the vehicle.
It allows remote access to controlling power being delivered to each circuit, especially when doing electrical work in the home, such as replacing switches and outlets.

It’s basically turning the circuit breaker panel into a smart energy control system, not just a metal box with switches.

 Span Panel
Smart electric vehicle (EV) charging stations Integrates with Span smart panels
Coordinates charging an electric vehicle using solar and/or battery backup
Manages energy intelligently so that charging only happens during less expensive times of the day.
Allows for remote control and detailed monitoring of the vehicle.
Supports charging even during outages (via backup power storage)

It’s especially valuable for anyone electrifying their home or installing solar, backup batteries, or multiple EVs.

 Span Drive
Access Points To allow Wi-Fi devices to not clog communications to the router, and to have good Wi-Fi signal strength throughout the home.
Smart Switches & Outlets with Modules that sense Motion, Temperature, Humidity and Particulate Matter Allows monitoring of the temperature in the wine room.
Senses the motion and humidity in showering bathrooms to turn on vent fans
Activates energy recovery ventilators when high particulate levels are detected.
Smart Refrigerator, Freezer, and Wine Columns, along with Beverage Drawers Remote Monitoring & Control – You can use a smart phone to check if the door was left open, change the temperatures, and see when water filters need to be replaced.

These units also send alerts directly to the manufacture to help them identify whether service needs to be done soon, helping prevent problems before food spoils.

 Signature Kitchen Suite
Smart Steam Assist Oven Allows for remote monitoring of cooking meats with a probe. Bakes bread with better texture and rise
Cook meats and vegetables that stay juicy and retain their color
Reheat food without drying it out
Cook healthier meals with less oil
Speed up cooking while keeping quality high
Monitors when oven will need to be cleaned, especially the steam generator		 Signature Kitchen Suite
Smart Speed Oven Combines the best of convection, microwave, and radiant cooking to reduce cooking times from 30-80%.
Can brown and crisp food such as a casserole, pizza, sandwiches, and vegetables.
It can replace multiple appliances into one, such as a microwave, convection oven, and a broiler.
Leftovers are not rubbery or soggy, as foods retail texture and moisture because the convection and/or radiant heat finishes food properly.		 Signature Kitchen Suite
Smart Dishwasher Can start, stop, or pause a cycle from a smart phone.
App can tell you when the cycle is complete.
Can choose the best cycle for what is being cleaned.
Can be programmed to start during off-peak times.
Notifies when rinse aid needs to be added, and when filter needs to be cleaned.		 Signature Kitchen Suite
Smart Washing Machine Remote control of the unit.
Can detect and notify about leaks, clogs, imbalance, or unusual vibration, if filter needs to be cleaned.
Will notify when the unit needs to be cleaned.
Adjusts water use and cycle time for clothing being cleaned.
Can add customized cycles.
Can be smart paired to the dryer.
Alerts when the cycle is complete.		 LG Appliances
Smart Dryer Remote control of the cycles and unit.
Can be smart in that it is paired to the washing machine
Automatically establishes drying time based upon amount of clothing and type.
Notifies when the lint filter needs to be cleaned, if the vent tubing is clogged, and if service is needed.
Can add customized cycles.
Alerts when cycle is complete to minimize wrinkles.
Smart Deadbolts They can:
Unlock with a code, smartphone app, fingerprint, or even a voice assistant instead of (or in addition to) a physical key.
Lock or unlock from anywhere via an app (requires Wi-Fi or a smart home hub).
Set the door to lock automatically after a certain amount of time, at a set time, or when you leave.
Guest access – Create temporary or recurring codes for family, friends, or service providers, and revoke them at any time.
Smart Smoke, Carbon Monoxide and Particulate Alarms Alarms can:
Alert everyone where an event may be occurring, by synthetic voice or via a text message
Automatically test the unit periodically
Alert when each device has reached its 10 year life
Sound different frequencies for a fire or carbon monoxide event to be picked up by the smart speaker or video panels throughout the home
Smart Water Leak Sensor and High Water Usage Allows for sensing if there is a water leak at various places in the home to then turn off a water valve automatically to help minimize any water damage due to a leak. Leak Defense
Television Smart television allows for voice operation to select a channel, program, movie or streaming platform, and selecting items remotely on a smart phone. All smart TVs are connected to the internet via ethernet cables to ensure highest bandwidth connectivity. LG Televisions
Television Streaming Controller For non-smart TVs, there is are streaming controllers that are connected to the internet via ethernet cables.
Ceiling Fans Ceiling fans can:
Be controlled via a smart phone or an RF remote control
Update the fans’ firmware so that they can have the most recent features
High Speed Modem / Router To be able to handle all of the smart Wi-Fi devices in the home as well as the various ethernet connected devices, video conferencing and streaming devices, the modem/router has more than enough bandwidth.
LED Strip Lighting To better light items in cabinets, as well as projecting light under upper cabinets, in toekicks, coffered ceilings, as well as to the side and behind clothing in the Primary Closet, 3500K LED strip lighting was installed and controlled by smart dimmers. . Tresco Lighting
Smart bed People’s sleeping needs change over time, and having an adjustable mattress allows each person to have a customized setting. Also, the bed monitors your sleep circumstances, along with the bed raising the head to minimize snoring, to each side different having different heating or cooling, and having underbed lighting that is activated when one gets out.
For the connected Idea Home, there needs to be a connection to the internet. This is done using an Xfinity router that is periodically updated to the newest standards. There needs to be good connectivity to allow smart devices to work properly.
Good Wi-Fi interconnectivity throughout the Idea Home As there are quite a number of smart technology devices in the home that are Wi-Fi only, to prevent clogging the router with frequent requests, this is done through 4 Access Points to off-load the burden of the Wi-Fi router. Also, signal strength will be much stronger through the Idea Home by using multiple access points that are connected and powered by ethernet cables.
Security system To monitor the security of the home Ring
Power Over Ethernet Switches To be able to power various smart devices throughout the Idea Home.
Ethernet Connections There are at least 48 ethernet connections available in the Idea Home, with the possibility of adding more, especially in the 2nd floor and in the garage
Terrestrial Antenna To be able to connect with local over-the-air TV stations, using an antenna in the attic
Monitoring Local Weather Ability to monitor the weather at our property
Lawn & Garden Sprinkler System Control Dynamic control of landscape and hyper localized watering based upon the weather station
Smart BBQ Temperature Probe Temperature probe that can be inserted into food that will monitor the cooking temperature of the grill and the foods, and then predict when the food needs to be removed all via an app

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