International. Over the past half-century, most new appliances have shared the same goal: to save time and simplify home living. With Elan technology a couple in Sarasota, Florida, managed to integrate domestic technologies to offer a simplicity of life that was previously unimaginable thanks to the automation system.
"This was the customer's first smart home, and their main goal was to create a living environment that is intuitive and able to learn their routines and adjust settings automatically, with little interaction required," said Mark Van den Broek, owner of SmartHouse Integration. "Through the Elan system, we develop schedules for home lighting, weather and music systems, so homeowners almost never need to turn on a light switch, set up a thermostat, or change a music source. It's truly automated to your lifestyle and your daily schedules, it's not much easier than that."
At night, the lush, tropical central courtyard lights up, the LED fountain lights and the "living wall" waterfall light up, and reggae music plays to create a relaxing atmosphere. All this requires zero actions on the part of the owners. Then, when it's time for the kids to study, the lights in their study room come on. When bedtime comes, the lights in the master suite are activated, and the main floor slowly dims into the darkness. The weather settings are also programmed to adjust throughout the day, ensuring that the home is always comfortable and ready.
"And there are big benefits beyond programming," Van den Broek said. "For example, if the security system is set to 'away' mode at night and some movement outside breaks the virtual travel lines of the system, the lights above turn on, then the stair lights come on, then the lights on the affected side of the house turn on, it gives a real look of a busy house. Any security event during the day triggers an email that is sent to the owner instantly."
In addition to virtual travel lines and email alerts, the security system uses Elan IP cameras to monitor and record the exterior of the house. Even the front door is connected and controllable via the Elan system, with easy access via the Elan mobile app on any device. Door stations provide video and audio at each input, which can be viewed on any Elan device. Inside the house, Elan wall touchpads and Elan remotes provide instant control always on, especially useful for audio and video functions.
Audio and video are also simplified, with all content centralized and accessible through the Elan interface. That means the family can play their favorite music or TV in any connected room with easy control from any control device, anywhere in the house. The Elan 12-channel amplifier and a multi-zone audio controller from Elan S1616A deliver audio to SpeakerCraft AIM ceiling speakers. Video is also distributed from the central rack of equipment, using an Elan GMV88 UltraMatrix HDMI switch.
"Centralizing control is crucial for this family," Van den Broek added. "In such a beautiful and carefully designed home, it was absolutely necessary for no cable or box to clutter the living space. With Elan we create a smart home solution that completely changes the way the family interacts with the home, but doesn't interfere with the environment or décor."
In addition to lighting, safety, climate and media controls, the Elan system also integrates with pool controls, motorized window curtains, intercoms, carbon monoxide detection, smoke, heat or water leaks, and motorized outdoor displays. The pool monitoring system automatically sends an email to the pool cleaner when service is required. The owners don't even have to think about it.
The brain of the system is the Elan gSC10 controller, which, like all central rack equipment, is protected by a BlueBOLT-enabled Panamax power conditioner that ensures clean and reliable performance of all equipment, as well as protection against power surges. Luxul network equipment provides reliable WiFi throughout the home, while Elan integrates the Lutron HomeWorks system for lighting and curtain automation.
