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This page contains answers to our most frequently asked questions... |
General Home Automation Questions: |
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| How much does home automation cost? |
- Our systems start at about $3,000 and go up to about $75,000. The price of your system will depend on what options you are interested in. Security is one of the least expensive components, while audio and video distribution are the most expensive.
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| How hard is it to install? |
- Overall the systems are fairly easy to install. There is no soldering or difficult installation steps required. Most devices have small screw terminals that are used to connect wires. We provide installation guides that make connecting the devices simple and straightforward.
- While the systems are easy to install, they do take a good amount of time due to the large number of devices in each system. On average our clients spend 4-5 days running wires, and another 4-5 days connecting all the equipment.
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| Can I control my home while on vacation? |
- Yes, our systems can be controlled by either a phone or Windows based computer.
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| Can these systems be installed in existing homes? |
- Many of the products we use have wireless counterparts that can be installed easily in existing homes. Lighting, security, and climate control can be installed quite easily. Audio and video will require wires to be run.
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Lighting Control
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| Are UPB switches reliable? |
- Extremely. The communication signals can travel roughly 2.5 miles. This makes them reliable in even the largest homes.
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| Can other switches be used with our systems? |
- Our automation systems can speak to UPB, X10, Leviton Z-Wave, Centra-lite, and Radio-Ra lighting systems. We only recommending using HAI's UPB lighting system as it provides the most options, best communication, and easiest setup.
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| How many switches can be installed in a system? |
- The Omni IIe can support 64 lights, and the Omni Pro II can support 250 lights.
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| Which lights do you recommend automating? |
- We like to automate outdoor lights, hallway lights (for lighted pathways at night) and rooms with 3 or more switches (for scene lighting). If you have children that leave their bedroom lights on automating them is a great idea.
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Climate Control
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| Is my HVAC system compatible? |
- Most HVAC systems are compatible with our systems. The question to ask your hvac contractor is "do the thermostats control the system via 12v or 24v relays?". In most systems you will have a relay for air conditioning, a relay for heating, and a relay for the fan. When one of those relays gets a 12v or 24v signal it turns on.
- The alternative to a relay system would be a proprietary communication system between the thermostat and the HVAC system. If the hvac contract tells you there is a data cable instead of 12/24v relays we will not be able to automate it. These HVAC systems require a specific thermostat to function.
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Security
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| Who monitors the system? |
- You do. In the event of a break in, fire, or other alarm the system will call you and inform you of the problem. You can then call the police, fire, or other emergency contact.
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| Can I have the system professionally monitored? |
- Yes, instead of the system calling you it can call a monitoring company. These companies charge roughly $12/mo to monitor the system.
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| Can the system call the police or fire department directly? |
- No, police and fire stations will not respond to calls from any security system. They need to be called by a live person. In fact, most police/fire stations will fine you if your alarm calls them directly.
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| Are there any contracts/monthly fees? |
- If the system calls you, there are no fees or contracts. If you have it monitored by a third party (not affiliated with Mile High Automation), they will charge you a monthly fee for their services.
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Security Cameras
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| Where can I view my cameras? |
- TV's - You can view the cameras on one or all your TVs (with additional hardware)
- Computer - Both computers inside the home and remotely (password protected) can view live and recorded video when you add a DVR to your system.
- Touch Screens - The HAI Video Hub allows the touch screens to display up to 6 security cameras.
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| Can I use a pan/tilt/zoom camera? |
- You can, but we don't recommend them due to cost. PTZ cameras typically start at about $900 each, whereas our fixed cameras start at $150. We always say its better to put in 6 fixed cameras then 1 PTZ camera.
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| Can the cameras see in the dark? |
- Yes, all of our cameras have night vision.
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| Are the cameras color or black and white? |
- They are color during the day, and black and white at night while in night-vision mode.
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| How much footage will the DVR's hold? |
- The DVR's will store about 2 weeks of video. When it fills it will automatically start replacing the oldest footage with the new recording.
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| Do the DVR's record 24/7, or only on events? |
- They record 24/7, but put in time stamps each time they detect motion. This allows you to quickly scan your recorded video to view events.
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Touch Screens, Software & Interfaces:
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| Can I use a UMPC as a touch screen instead of the HAI OmniTouch's? |
- You can use a UMPC, laptop, or other computer to control the system. These devices will give you control over the system, but don't allow you to access the advanced menus of the system. We always recommending having at least 1 OmniTouch touch screen in your home. You will need it to configure the system.
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| How can I access the system remotely? |
- Phone - You can dial into the system and control it via voice prompts.
- Internet - You can use HAI's Snaplink software to control your home over the internet. Snaplink runs on Windows based computers.
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| Can your systems be controlled via voice commands? |
- No, our systems cannot be controlled by voice at this time.
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| Is there software that can be used on a Mac? |
- Not at this time, all software is windows based.
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Our Services/Process/Policies:
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| Do you have references available? |
- Absolutely. We post client testimonials on our site here. We can also provide serious clients with contact information for former clients of ours.
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| Do you perform installations? |
- No, we do not perform any installations.
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| Can you recommend an installer? |
- We are currently working on creating an installer directory. Our target date for this is January of 2009.
- Most of our clients will either install the systems themselves, or have their electrician do it with our support.
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| Do you sell outside the US? |
- We can sell to the US and Canada at this time. Due to manufacture restrictions we cannot export our products overseas.
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