After installing the ELAN g! Entertainment and Control System in the Power Haus in 2011, Florida homebuilder Josh Wynne has decided to include a base ELAN g! system in every new home he builds.
With the help of Mark van den Broek, president of SmartHouse Integration, Josh is providing every new client with a customizable home control system that offers iPhone, iPad and in-wall touch panel control of every core system in the home, from the lighting to the audio to heat.
“Homebuyers today want technology that can simplify things they do and improve their quality of life,” Wynne said. “By including a base home entertainment and control package with the ELAN g! system, Mark and I are giving clients a taste of the possibilities. From now on, every new client of mine is going to be able to use an iPad to control their six-zone audio system, lights, HVAC, pool controls, irrigation and security system. And we let them know right from the start that the possibilities really are endless — they can add to the system now as they see fit, and even prewire for future upgrades.”
Each home is custom designed and built, so the layout of each ELAN g! system is completely customizable.
According to van den Broek, “Working with Josh to make home control an integral part of every house he builds is something that virtually no one else is doing, and it shows that he is ready to give every one of his clients a home that is personalized beyond their wildest dreams. Each new homebuyer can specify how they want their package laid out, and can expand from the base system to include shade control, additional audio or video zones, or add more touch screen interfaces, HR2 remotes and OSD on-screen displays for controlling the system right on the TV.”
According to Wynne, choosing the right system is the first critical step to get homeowners to accept that new technology can greatly simplify and improve their homes. The ELAN g! system was his choice because it so simple to use that he knows every client will be able to master the user interface quickly, regardless of their age or technological prowess.
“The majority of my clients are building their last home,” Wynne said. “They are interested in improving quality of life and security, and want nice things in their home, but don’t want to have to fuss with the tech side of it. Where 10 years ago virtually every person would quickly be intimidated by a room with five remotes in it, nearly everyone now can operate and iPhone and iPad, because they are so easy to learn to use. The ELAN g! system operates the same way, with a simple touch and swipe interface that is identical on every interface device they sell, as well as on iPhones, iPads and iPod touches.”
Each new homebuyer will receive a base ELAN g! system that consists of an ELAN HC6 Home Controller and an ELAN M86 multi-room audio controller the provide six independent zones of audio. It will incorporate Lutron RadioRA lighting both indoors and outdoors, the home’s HVAC systems, pool and spa controls, and the irrigation and security systems as well. Each client will be able to access the system through two TS7 7-inch in-wall touch screens, three TS2 4-inch in-wall touch pads, one HR2 multimedia and home control remote, and one iPad with the g! app preinstalled.
They can also get the app for any existing iPhones, iPads, iPod touches, Apple computers or PCs they currently own.
“My customers love their systems more in the third year than they did in the first year,” Van den Broek added. “The system can grow with the owner and is constantly being updated to include the newest music and video sources, as well as new interface devices and software upgrades that make the system even simpler and faster to use. Because expanding the system is a relatively simple process, people like to add additional surveillance cameras or purchase motorized window shades once they realize how much the g! system has changed how they live in their homes.”
ELAN Home Systems will showcase its g! series of home control solutions for builders at the 2012 NAHB International Builders’ Show in The AVC Group’s Booth #4959 at the Orange County Convention Center from February 8-11.
