From Issue #1 , Page #46 | By Rachel Cericola

It’s about ease. It’s about beauty. It will impress your friends. Homeowner Leslie Winograd presses one button, and instantly her dining room jumps to life. That’s right; those lights in your home can do a lot more than turn on and off.

A lighting-control system can reduce energy consumption while providing elegance, an extra blanket of protection and what we all want—convenience. If you have any toggle light switches in your home, you actually already have some lighting control. Now it’s time to expand on it.

Where to Start

Some lighting systems are used for security, some for ambiance and some just to brighten a room. "Start by identifying what you want to light," says Jason Moreno, product manager at Lightolier Controls. "Then you should consider how to light it."

A single-room system can be very affordable and can really "brighten" up a specific room in your home. But if you’re going to call in a professional installer, consider going for the gusto and expanding your system. "The key to whole-home control systems is flexibility," says Melissa Andresko, media relations leader for Lutron. Different switches can have different functions, can be timed based on events in your home, and may even have some "creative" uses that only an installer can think up. If you want to have a whole-house system installed, it will cost more upfront, but it makes a lot more sense than calling your installer back in a few months to add on other rooms or the lighting for the back deck.

The areas that you want to light up may also dictate the type of system you’ll need to install, as well as where you can buy the equipment. Larger homes may benefit more from a hardwired system, which can be purchased through a qualified dealer/installer. Those on a budget may want to check out what their local RadioShack or home improvement store has to offer, or surf the Web for other wireless options.

Choose Your System

"Although lighting is so pervasive that we don’t think about it, making an informed decision on the kind of system to buy requires that you think a little bit about how you use (and want to use) the light in your space," says Greg Giauque, technical trainer at LiteTouch. "A bit of thought on the front end goes a long way."

The simplest form of lighting control might be in your house today—the dimmer switch. This allows you to gradually dim and brighten room lights incrementally. These can be purchased at any home-improvement warehouse. If you have basic wiring knowledge, you can easily replace your current switches with dimmer switches. Dimmer switches can also be integrated into grander systems, such as one that controls fixtures in a single room or throughout the entire house.

Most professional installers recommend a hardwired system for whole-house control. It is the easiest to operate, the most reliable, and also makes for the "prettiest" installation. A hardwired system uses a traditional wiring configuration that closes a circuit to activate the load. An installer can design this type of system to interact with the structured wiring or low-voltage wiring in your home; then the wiring is used to convey commands from your master controller to wall units or other interfaces.

Hardwired systems can be very expensive, and are recommended for those building a new home or taking on a major remodel. If you don’t have the cash for that kind of undertaking, there are other options.

Powerline systems have become very popular because they are inexpensive and easy to install. This type of system uses your home’s existing wiring to communicate and transfer signals. Powerline has many fans, but it also has its antagonists. It can be susceptible to problems including "noise," but for the price, powerline can’t be beat. It’s not recommended for larger homes, however; that type of installation may require additional components to amplify signals, which may drive the price upwards towards the cost of a hardwired system. "Powerline is an inexpensive way to experience what a basic system can do for you," says Bill Hambley, sales and marketing manager for CentraLite. "It’s a good first step."

Another option is to use a radio-frequency (RF) system, such as Lutron’s RadioRA. This type of system operates similarly to powerline, in that it’s easier to install and it doesn’t require additional wiring. Just replace your existing switches, and the devices communicate via RF signals. And as with powerline, you may need to boost signals with other products, depending on the size of your home.

Before you decide on your system, you should do some homework. Richard Brady, executive VP of Vantage Controls, says there are five things you need to know before you buy: the manufacturer’s track record, how well the system meshes with other home systems, how easy it is to expand and upgrade, your interface options, and how simple the installation will be.

Calling a Pro

With your input, a lighting-control expert can recommend the right system. Many manufacturers agree that calling an installer is the way to go. "Most likely, you will get a system with greater functionality that you will be much more satisfied with," Moreno says.

If you’re not sure what you want, think about calling in a professional designer. A lighting designer works with a professional installer to achieve the system of your dreams. "You can’t have good lighting control if you don’t have a good lighting design from the beginning," Moreno says. This person can help you detemine what would work best, based on your home’s size and appearance, as well as your wants and budget.

Whenever messing with wiring, it’s wise to call an installer unless you are very experienced. You can damage your walls or equipment, and even harm yourself. An installer can also help with a variety of decisions. If you choose wisely (see "Finding a Pro," page 49), your installer will be familiar with different brands and their capabilities and with various methods of control, will be able to set up scenes and zones, and can even tie all of your home systems together. "The difference between a pro and doing it yourself is really in the functionality," says Hambley. It can be instant, reliable gratification; you really get what you pay for.

Do It Yourself

"There is only so much even the best handyman should do," Giauque says. But just because you don’t have the money or resources for a hardwired system, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great lighting system. In these cases, powerline or RF might be your best bet. Any wireless system can be a great option for apartment or condo dwellers.

Lutron’s RadioRA is a wireless, RF-based lighting system that can control up to 64 dimmers and switches from one master control. It may be a little tricky for the average homeowner, though. Lutron does have dozens of single-light dimmers that any consumer can install.

If you’re not so handy, you can find tons of wireless lighting products on the Web. A good place to start is X10.com or Smarthome.com, both of which offer lighting-control products for the average homeowner. This is also a great place to take a test drive of what lighting can offer; if you decide on a professional system later on, it’s easy to incorporate your wireless components into a larger scheme.

Control Options

"In a house that is yet to be built, the sky is the limit," says Giauque about control options. "There is generally a look from a manufacturer that will catch your eye." Many lighting controllers come in the form of keypads that can be wall-mounted. Keypad designs vary, so look for one that your family will be comfortable with using. If you’re always on the go, you may also want to consider a system that has Web control; that way, you can check in on and access your system from anywhere that has an Internet connection.

Moreno says that one of the most important decisions is how to control your lighting system. Not only will this dictate how easy the system will be to operate, but thanks to infrared (IR), RF, X10 and/or your home PC, you can tie all of your home systems together. Hambley says it’s important to have a system with an RS-232 interface. These types of devices play very nice with other home systems.

Lighting Manufacturers

The best place to start is at the source!

ACES Home Lighting Controls
www.ajakssupply.com

Advanced Control Technologies, Inc.
www.act-solutions.com

CentraLite Systems, Inc.
www.centralite.com

Crestron Electronics Inc.
www.crestron.com

Electronic Design Technology
www.edt.biz

GE SmartHome
www.geconsumerproducts.com

Heath/Zenith
www.desatech.com

Intermatic, Inc.
www.intermatic.com

Leviton Manufacturing
www.leviton.com

Lightolier Controls|
www.lolcontrols.com

LiteTouch, Inc.
www.litetouch.com

Lutron Electronics Co.
www.lutron.com

Powerline Control Systems (PCS)
www.pcslighting.com

Smarthome
www.smarthome.com

Sylvania
www.sylvania.com

Touch-Plate Lighting Controls
www.touchplate.com

Vantage Controls Inc.
www.vantagecontrols.com

X10 Wireless Technology, Inc
www.x10.com

Zensys
www.zen-sys.com

Finding a Pro

There’s no shame in calling in a professional installer. This person will be familiar with a variety of manufacturers—and will know all about their track records and customer service. They will also help you determine the most convenient and cost-effective system for your home. So what are you waiting for?

Not sure where to find an installer? Don’t let your fingers do the walking through those Yellow Pages; the first place to look is on any manufacturer’s Web site. They know their authorized dealers and installers better than the installers know the products. See page 47 for a key list of manufacturers. ElectronicHouse.com has a huge list of installers on its Web site, listed alphabetically by state.

CEDIA (the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association) is a global trade association of companies that specialize in planning and installing electronic systems for the home. Their Web site has a Find a Designer section, where you can obtain referrals for qualified, insured contractors.

The IALD—the International Association of Lighting Designers—provides a lot of info on why you should hire a lighting designer, and also has resources to help you find a local professional.

Finally, the American Lighting Association’s Web site also provides contact info for consultants, as well as showrooms in your area. Go see it in person before you decide on what to buy!

Once you find an installer, don’t be afraid to come armed with questions!

• What size homes do you typically work on?
• Can you tie my lighting in to the rest of my home’s system?
• What kind of support do you offer?
• Can you tie the inside and outside lights together?
• How much should I plan on spending?

Also—ask for references and/or examples of previous work!