Vacation Home Security and Automation: Affordable Peace of Mind
Owning a vacation home is a dream for many, providing a serene escape from daily life. Yet, ensuring its security and maintaining a trouble-free environment while away can be both challenging and costly. Concerns like frozen pipes, potential burglary, and spiraling energy bills can be a source of stress. Modern Vacation Home Security and Automation solutions now offer affordable peace of mind, effortlessly transforming your home into a worry-free retreat.
The Evolution of Vacation Home Security and Automation
In 2010, when remodeling our vacation home, I wanted to install the latest and greatest security and automation system to provide modern comfort, conveniences and security that was accessible through an application on my PC or phone. The solution? An OMNI Pro II security and automation system from HAI (Home Automation Inc). Little did I know that this choice would not only change how we experienced our vacation home but also show me where the world of automation was headed.
The Legacy of OMNI: A Complete Solution
My decision to install the HAI OMNI system was born out of a desire for a comprehensive solution – one that could seamlessly blend security and automation. The OMNI system was the crown jewel of its time, designed to cater to both large residences and small commercial spaces.
Through a single central control panel, I can connect to it via the internet to monitor and control security sensors, leak detection, vehicle detection, thermostats, light switches, wall outlets, water pump, and it can connect to a land line or cellular telephone for dial in/out capabilities. In addition, it has built-in serial ports for connection to third party control devices for irrigation, audio systems, and window covering controls, and also a relay board which allows me to activate valves to shut off the water to parts of the home, open/close the garage door, and control any other device connected to a low voltage switch.
At its heart, OMNI was the perfect solution for me – offering both hardwired and wireless capabilities. It stood as a testament to convenience, safety, and energy efficiency by allowing me to manage the entire environment of my vacation home based on activities, schedules, and “scenes” such as “Leaving” or “Arriving”.
For example, pressing the “Leaving” button automatically shuts off lights, activates the valve to shutoff water, and turns down the heat or A/C depending on the outside temperature, simulates being home with random lights turning on and off at night. And conversely, pressing the “Arriving” button turns on the entry light (after sunset), turns up the heat or A/C, and in the winter (based on the outside temperature) turns on the bed warmers. There is nothing worse than getting in to an ice-cold bed when arriving for a weekend of relaxation!
The Catch: Not Your Everyday DIY
(Inside of the OMNI controller panel and the wiring going to it.)
However, even with its brilliance, OMNI was not designed for the average DIY homeowner. Its complex installation and maintenance requirements normally necessitated the presence of a professional installer. The power of the PC Access Dealer Software allowed me to craft intricate scenes (routines), controlling the behavior of security, lighting, and thermostats based on numerous factors. Yet, the software’s name itself hinted at its intended audience – dealers, not homeowners.
In addition to the complexity, the cost was a barrier to most people. I spent over $4,000 on parts and equipment alone. If I had to pay for the installation I couldn’t have done it.
While the system was a technological marvel and everything still works flawlessly, the acquisition of HAI by Leviton in 2012 marked the beginning of a new chapter. OMNI’s discontinuation in 2019 led to an inevitable question: What next? How do I get support when something breaks?
Embracing Modern Solutions: Individual Apps for Greater Flexibility
Although the convenience of managing everything through a single application is unmatched, the rise of individual solutions means that we are no longer locked in to a single manufacture’s technology.
Organizing various applications in one folder on my iPhone allows easy access to specific functions. These individual apps are more robust, are constantly updated, and are part of an evolving ecosystem that adapts to our needs.
Looking Towards the Future: Continuous Exploration and Testing
As an advocate for vacation home automation, I continuously explore and test new products, ensuring interoperability and reliability. My goal is to make informed recommendations for the best-of-breed products that harmoniously coexist with other technologies.
Conclusion: Automation for a Worry-Free Vacation Home Experience
In the realm of vacation home ownership, automation is about more than convenience; it’s about peace of mind, and embracing technology that is tailored to your specific needs. While single fully integrated systems like the OMNI will always hold a special place in the hearts of early adopters like myself, the era of individual solutions empowers homeowners with personalized control and innovation.
So, whether you are a vacation home, cottage, or cabin owner seeking to upgrade your old security system or curious about embarking on a complete automation journey, the promise of peace of mind and personalized control is within your reach. Step into the new world of automation, where heating and cooling adjust automatically, lights simulate occupancy, and monitoring and security systems notify you of any unexpected conditions, all contributing to a worry-free vacation home experience. With automation, the possibilities are endless. Here are just a few:
- Automatically adjust heating and cooling based on the outside temperature
- Simulates someone being home with random light/music operations
- Notifies you if a car pulls into the driveway, turns on exterior lights, and records the camera feed
- Notifies you if the doorbell rings and automatically takes a picture of whoever is at the door
- Turn on / off the well water pump
- Activate valves to shutoff water to certain parts of the home
- Turn on /off bed warmers
- Notifies you if outside winds are high
- Monitor your property with cameras (real time and recordings)
- Notify you if the sump pump quits working and flooding is imminent
- Vacation home temperature or humidity monitoring
- Intelligent Humidity Control for Cabins
- Notify you if a water leak is detected in your cottage
- Notify you of power failures
- Remotely monitor a whole house generator
- Affordable Security for Vacation Homes
- Provide you with the ability to remotely disarm your system to allow a repairman to enter
- Lock / unlock doors
- Open / close the garage door
- Power Outage Alerts for Second Homes
- Control lawn and flower bed irrigation
