OK…..you are building your dream home. You might be surprised with the many questions that determine your needs and preferences. This infopak can help you make informed choices.

Security systems are a standard feature in most of today’s homes. So we will assume you are getting one. Most homes have a standard security system with security sensors on the doors and windows and a siren. It is certainly better than nothing, but a few design refinements can save you money and make the system better. Here are our recommendations…..

Get alarm keypads with an LCD screen and plain English readouts. LCD keypads give you a wealth of information. For instance, if you are leaving and the alarm does not arm, the LCD screen tells you where the fault is….like "patio door" or "master window". An LCD keypad makes the system easier to use.

Make sure the system has enough security zones to cover your house properly. Ideally every entry and exit door, motion detector and glass break detector is assigned its own zone. The house should also be broken up into logical sections each having their own zone….Master Suite, Family room etc.

Connect the alarm to the smoke detectors. If your system is monitored, you increase protection for your family and property and receive a substantial insurance discount as well.

Have gas and carbon monoxide detectors if your house has natural gas or propane.

Add indoor motion and glass break sensors for extra layer of protection. For example, if you have a single Lite French door, a burglar can break the glass and enter the house through the glass area rather than opening the door. By doing this they don’t open the door and activate the door sensor. If a glass break detector was installed the alarm would activate the instant the glass was broken.

Several years ago Florida passed a law requiring pool alarms in new homes. The intent of the law was to improve pool safety and prevent small children or pets from accidentally falling into the pool and drowning. So, if you have a pool you’ll have to do one of three things to comply with the law. You can have a barrier around the pool (commonly known as a Kiddy Fence), an approved pool cover, or an electronic device that sounds when a door or window is opened to the pool area. The button/sounders are the size of a single light switch and are required to be located beside the exit 54" above the finished floor. The bypass button enables deactivation of the system for 15 seconds to permit exit. Windows that face the pool and have a bottom sill of 48" or less must be included in the system. Most clients opt for electronic protection of their swimming pool.

Many homeowners are opting for a video surveillance. A video surveillance system consists of cameras and a DVR (digital video recorder) that records the cameras as well as enables viewing on the internet. Cameras usually view the exterior of the house. Some clients with small children or housekeepers like to "monitor" activities at their home while they are at work. We also find cameras popular with clients who are buying a second home. The system can also let you see when people arrive to do work, how long they stayed, and what they did. The best part is you can do it from any computer anywhere in the world.

What if your house was smart enough to never let you come home to a dark house? Or what if your house knew no one was home and it turned up the air conditioner to save on electricity? By automating lighting and climate control your home will be greener, save you money, and enhance your family’s safety.

Lighting control saves electricity. But did you know it can also prolong the life of your light bulbs? You can extend bulb life by four times by dimming the lights by only 20% from full (to 80% of normal brightness). At 50% brightness, the life extension jumps up to 20 times. This is especially helpful with high ceilings.

A lighting control system makes your home smarter too. Lighting control can automate routine functions. Since the system keeps track of sunrise and sunset year round, your exterior lights always turn on at exactly the right time. For

instance twenty minutes before dusk your front door and garage coach lights turn on followed in minutes by the foyer stair chandelier so when you arrive home

you’ll feel safe because your home is well lit. Or if you frequently travel for business or pleasure….press the vacation mode button and the system turns on and off lights that make your home appear to be occupied while you are away.

Another advantage to a lighting control system is that you can create lighting scenes to match your activities throughout your home. You can choose soft intimate lighting in a conversational furniture grouping, bright kitchen lights to prepare gourmet meals, soft bedroom and theatre room lighting. Pre–set scenes allow you to quickly and easily select a scene to fit your need. You can set your lights to just the right level. When you entertain, wouldn’t it be nice to touch a button and have the lights on the first floor and the patio come on to provide warmth, grace and ambience?

The largest use of electricity in your home is the heating and air-conditioning system. So, how would you like to keep your home comfortable and save money on your energy bill? Being green pays and it’s easier than you think. All you have to do is install Communicating Smart Thermostats.

It only makes sense not to cool or heat your home when there is no one there to enjoy that comfort? So why not set your temperatures back automatically when you are not home. The Smart Thermostat can even reset to a comfortable level before you get home. A Smart Communicating Thermostat enables you to change thermostat settings based upon events, time, or sensor readings.

Indoor air pollution is one of the most common problems addressed by allergists. Central Vacuum systems are often recommended because they remove indoor pollutants. Researchers at the University of California at Davis found that a conventional vacuum re-circulates dust. They found a central vacuum system is superior in removing dust, mites, animal dander and other allergens. This of course helps provide relief from allergy symptoms of up to 61%.

In addition to having a healthier home, we are sure you’ll appreciate having less noise, superior cleaning power, and wide selection of practical accessories.

The final touch to create the perfect environment in your new home is to fill it with music. But which type of music system fits your needs the best? We can’t make-up your mind for you but we can tell you about the different types of systems so you’ll make an informed decision.

When we first meet we always ask…."Where do you want music". Most people haven’t really given it thought. That’s OK. We’ve designed and installed thousands of music systems and we’ve noticed that most people like to have music in specific areas of their home. The most popular areas are: Patio/Pool, Foyer, Master Bedroom, Master Bathroom, Game room and Kitchen.

Now that you know the most popular areas, you should also know that music can be just about anywhere. We have installed speakers in saunas, showers, swimming pools (underwater), gardens, closets, tennis courts, and a myriad of other places.

A basic single zone music system plays the same music simultaneously in every room. Each area has speakers and an in wall volume control. Music source selections are made at a central location called the "Head End". The head end is usually in the family room. It is where you locate the components that power the system and music sources. Very little control, other than volume, is available from the room locations. This means if you want to change a CD, or change the music source to FM or even turn the system on or off, a trip to the head end is necessary.

Multi-Source Multi-Zone means that several different music sources can play in different areas of your home at the same time. For example, one family member can relax by the pool and listen to their favorite radio station, while another family member can listen to the CD in the office. Each room has an in-wall keypad (about the size of a light switch) and a pair of speakers. The keypad can control the music source (change CDs, radio stations etc.) select which music source to listen to, control volume, turn the system on or off, and perform global on /off. Since the keypad enables control from the room, there are no trips to the head end to control the music.

This is our most popular type of music system. People love it when they can connect their iPod, browse their music library, and select a particular song to play. The difference is in the user interface.

Instead of a keypad, Meta Data systems feature a touch screen or keypad with a display. The display enables selection by genre, artist, song, or title. Additionally, if you have XM or Sirius radio, you can get real time information from over 170 channels.

Home Theater

Just think of what you are missing by having a home theater….no ten dollar popcorn and coke, no noisy audience members, no uncomfortable seats, no crowds, and no driving. What could be better than being with your family watching a movie or TV show in the comfort of your home?

The definition of Home Theater covers a lot of territory. There are dedicated theater rooms, combination game room /theaters, family rooms with a theater, and even pool areas with theaters.

A dedicated home theater is technically what a home theater is supposed to be. It is a room specifically set up for viewing movies and TV. Usually there are rows of tiered seating with comfortable recliners. The layout is designed so everyone has a non obstructed view of the screen. This type of home theater features a larger format screen, typically 92" diagonal or larger. A separate projector creates the image on the screen. Light control is critical in this type of theater.

Many people choose to have a family room theater. A family room theater has the same components but typically a smaller screen.

With any type of home theater, you can also view your digital pictures, have a karaoke night, play video games, or surf the internet.