We are blessed with a mild climate in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest. Our winters may be wet but they are not overly cold; our summers are gloriously sunny. As much as we love our summer sun, sometimes it feels overwhelming, quickly heating up our houses on the hottest days.

Is it warm enough for air conditioning? Air conditioning is a great convenience for some occasions, but we are fortunate in that it's not a dire necessity here, unlike other parts of the country. However, there is a smart way to control the heat -- by managing the amount of summer sunlight that enters your home. Motorized window treatments might seem like a luxury - they certainly are luxurious - but they’re also a great way to control light and its effects. Read on to learn more about how to be the master of light in Camas, Washington, by using motorized shades and window treatments.

If you read this blog, you know that we have discussed many features and aspects of smart home automation. One of the central ideas we regularly try to convey about the subject is that automation is about creating a coordinated system. Many choices exist in the market, with smart switches, locks, thermostats, lights, cameras, and more readily available, and more companies are getting into the sector almost every month.

We firmly believe that smart homes are about more than a collection of intelligent devices or merely the ability to use an app to control devices and functions. We think that the power of smart technology is its ultimate ability to provide total home integration. So what do we mean by total home integration?

For the most part, the systems and functions in homes were islands unto themselves. They did not communicate or work with the other. Heating and cooling is a subsystem, and electrical and lighting are another. The trades that work on them are different companies with different skill sets too. Think of water and plumbing, irrigation systems, and pool and spa equipment. They all have their various systems and controls.

These home functions still do what they have always done. But what is changing rapidly is how they can be controlled, how they can inform and report on their status, and most importantly, that this intelligence now enables them to work in tandem with other functions in the home.

Are you interested in preparing your Vancouver, WA home for the future of total home integration?

These days, homeowners are looking for their living spaces to have innovative and advanced smart technologies integrated into their homes. As an architect, builder, or designer, you know this is an area your clients are interested in, but you may not be expert in all the available options, much less the details in ensuring that your project can easily incorporate smart technology.

The good news is you don’t have to become an expert overnight. A trusted smart home company like Encore Audio and Video is your expert here in Lake Oswego, OR. We are professionals that can recommend the right products and technology to include in your plans, and then customize an installation to fit your client’s desires and lifestyle.

Keep reading for the benefits of bringing in a smart home company early in your project.