Master of Your Domain

While it might sound futuristic, the technology is available now. Turning on the lights, cranking up the A/C and even shutting the window blinds can now all be done with a mere click of the mouse.

"Home automation," as the geeks call it (translation: using gadgets to remotely control pretty much anything with a plug), has actually been around since the '70s, says Sam Lucero, senior analyst at ABI Research, a market research firm specializing in technology. Most devices never made it to the mainstream, diverging into sophisticated toys for the wealthy, and cheap, unreliable gadgets for the home-tinkerer. (Remember The Clapper?) That said, you're probably already automated to some extent — think programmable thermostats.

What's new here is a web-integrated setup. Here's how it works: Software on your computer links to your existing home automation hardware (more on that below). Using the web, you can send instructions to your computer and, in turn, that hardware. What this means in practical terms is that you can crank up the air conditioning just before you arrive home or turn off a forgotten appliance even from your Internet-enabled PDA. As long as it's wired, anything is possible.

Wiring Up
Setting up your home for remote automation can be tricky, says Stuart Lipoff of IP Action Partners, a private technology-consulting firm. You'll need both hardware and software to get the job done. Just how much it will cost will depend on how many devices you want to wire up — you could spend as little as $200 for basic software and a kit to control a few lights or appliances. Or you might spend $40,000 or more for a high-tech system — incorporating just about everything, with new wiring and professional installation.

Here's how to get started:

Part 1: Hardware
Home automation hardware consists of components that are controlled, and those that do the controlling, says Lipoff. For the former, most appliances need is to be plugged into a so-called control point, which in turn fits into your existing outlets. (Other appliances, such as your thermostat and wall light switches, may need to be replaced with special automated models.)

How you send commands is up to you. You might purchase a remote control, set up a control panel on your wall, or let your computer handle the task by attaching a USB interface. Devices and controllers send signals to each other through a network, using wireless technology or your home's existing wiring.

When it comes to hardware, there are plenty of choices out there (even Radio Shack has its own line). But most products conform to the standards of one of the three big names — Insteon, X10 and Z-Wave. (A fourth, Zigbee, is slated for release later this year.) To figure out which is best for you, consider these factors:

Compatibility
While software programs work with several kinds of hardware, you can't use, say, an Insteon remote to manipulate a Z-Wave dimmer switch. (The exception: Insteon products are compatible with those from X10, one of the original home-automation technologies.)

Cost
If you're planning on automating a number of devices, the costs can quickly add up. Compare costs for the components you'll need. The differences can be substantial. A Z-Wave plug-in module, for example, costs $44.99, while Insteon's version is $29.99.

Ease of installation
While some devices are plug-'n-play, others aren't so simple. "There are a lot of components only an electrician would install," says John Dodge, editor of Electronic Business magazine. Dodge recently installed systems from Insteon and Z-Wave in his home to gauge their ease of use. The result? Even this handy guy had a little trouble. "Automation is still the domain of gadget freaks and handy homeowners," he says. "Most consumers are going to need a little help."

Many contractors specialize in installing home-automation systems. The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association and the Consumer Electronics Association both keep databases of certified installers.