New Build Home Automation

[streetdreams]

We are building a new home west of Edmonton and I would like to add in some home automation if possible. We would like to control some lights, temperature, cameras and some audio. Just wondering if there is a service in Calgary or Edmonton that can help you plan where to run wire. I don’t know if I should run Cat5 or 6 everywhere or just run everything wireless. If you know of a company that could help out with this it would be appreciated. I have looked at ordering most of my stuff from www.smarthome.com

[89coupe]

Talk to my buddy at https://www.facebook.com/pinnaclehometech

They us Clare Controls http://www.clarecontrols.com/

[ExtraSlow]

As part of the build process, I would be running cat6 to every room, and two pulls of it to anywhere you plan on putting a TV or computing device.

It's useful as telephone cable if it comes to that, plus it's nice to have options to hide your computer/PVR/server/NAS etc away in a closet or utility area.

If you aren't finishing the basement right away, just bundle all the wiring together and hang it in the utility space. You don't need to do anything with it right away, and it doesn't add significant cost.

[ExtraSlow]

Also, if you know the stuff you need, look at monoprice for the hardware.

[Thaco]

cat6 everywhere! Wireless typically requires power, which is going to cost you a lot more than cat6 which can poe for most automation devices (cameras etc..)

[benyl]

Cat6STP is better for longer runs and doesn't cost that much more.