My home currently has Lutron RadioRA (not RA2) for lighting. Being able to program scenes to controllers and incorporate lighting into my URC remote macros has been a great addition to my home. It's made a huge difference to me, and I'd love to expand the system further, beyond just lighting. Some areas that interest me are listed below, grouped into higher and lower importance.
There are many ways to go, as many systems have RadioRA control built in via RS-232, and I imagine I could work out simple control to some that don't by using a RA-IR with learned remote commands. I've come across many names that sound like they would get the job done such as HAI, ELK, Creston, Control4, and HomeSeer; but I have no idea which option would be best for my situation. Any advice would be appreciated.
Higher Importance
--motion/occupancy sensor triggered events
--thermostat control
--video cameras with as little in wall wiring as possible
--long distance monitoring & control via Internet
--nice looking touch control panels
--gas fireplace control
--voice control
--a reliable system that consistently works
--as much control as possible on my URC remote, but am open to new remotes with functionality equivalent to URC
--user programmable and as much as possible can be done myself (I must be able to modify automation trigger & result programming myself)
--good value (not the same as low cost), including highest possible increase in home value per money spent and individual part resale value
Lower Importance
--energy usage stats
--hot water tank control
--door control / lock
--sprinklers
--smoke / CO2 / alarm
--garage door
--intercom
--blind/window control
--additional home automation control (want to control as much of home as possible)
There are many ways to go, as many systems have RadioRA control built in via RS-232, and I imagine I could work out simple control to some that don't by using a RA-IR with learned remote commands. I've come across many names that sound like they would get the job done such as HAI, ELK, Creston, Control4, and HomeSeer; but I have no idea which option would be best for my situation. Any advice would be appreciated.
Higher Importance
--motion/occupancy sensor triggered events
--thermostat control
--video cameras with as little in wall wiring as possible
--long distance monitoring & control via Internet
--nice looking touch control panels
--gas fireplace control
--voice control
--a reliable system that consistently works
--as much control as possible on my URC remote, but am open to new remotes with functionality equivalent to URC
--user programmable and as much as possible can be done myself (I must be able to modify automation trigger & result programming myself)
--good value (not the same as low cost), including highest possible increase in home value per money spent and individual part resale value
Lower Importance
--energy usage stats
--hot water tank control
--door control / lock
--sprinklers
--smoke / CO2 / alarm
--garage door
--intercom
--blind/window control
--additional home automation control (want to control as much of home as possible)