G-Wiz Home Control Apps Make Connected Home A Reality For New Generation Of Homebuyers

It used to be that the dream of owning a centrally controlled home — a home where consumers could control audio, video, lighting, security, heating, and more from a single wall mounted touch pad— was a reality reserved for only the highest end multi-million dollar homes. Hard wiring, custom software programming, ongoing maintenance, and system costs all guaranteed that no one but the wealthiest of Americans could even consider the idea.

DiGiacomo's new homes seamlessly blend style and technology.

Now that dream is well within the reach of just about anyone. A whole new generation of IP (Internet Protocol) based wireless home control systems that can be controlled and managed by a variety of touch pads, remote controllers, on-screen displays (like your television) and iPhone and iPad devices are now making their way to market, some as affordable as $5,000 to start, and their availability is starting to forever change the dynamic of home building and home buying — in some cases dramatically.

Rocky DiGiacomo, founder of 20-year-old Minneapolis, Minnesota based DiGiacomo Homes and Renovation, Inc., in many ways represents the leading edge of this new American revolution — he is now pre-wiring every new house he builds for home automation and control.

“I’ve always known that affordable home control would be a dream come true,” said DiGiacomo. “Recent advances in home control technology, coupled with the mass adoption of wireless technology products in popular culture, have taken the dream and turned it into reality. It’s no surprise that someone who uses their iPhone® to program a DVR would love to use their iPhone to control their entire home. With affordable new systems offering a multitude of control functions and media services, there really is a system for everyone. Whether you want to invest $5,000 or $50,000, you can start living in the future, today.”

DiGiacomo’s solution of choice is the ELAN g! Home Control System manufactured and marketed by Carlsbad, California based ELAN Home Systems. Debuted at the start of this year, ELAN g! is perhaps the most modular, and hence affordable home control system currently available. From music distribution and lighting control to advanced energy management and security integration, ELAN g! offers a full range of solutions to fit any lifestyle and any budget. Requiring zero custom programming and coming standard with iPhone, iPad and PC control, home automation is now as easy as checking your email!

Coinciding with the availability of more affordable technology is the fact that the children of the first Internet generation are now entering the national housing market and, as in every aspect of their always-on lives, they expect their homes to be able to respond quickly and fluently to their changing needs.

“I believe that our industry is on the verge of a market upswing of historic proportions,” ELAN Home Systems President Paul Starkey explained. “The first generation of Americans raised from birth on the Internet, smart phones, iPods and iPhones are becoming homebuyers. They are going to demand that the home they buy supports their media and technology passions. This generation of buyers is not going to stand for running their mobile lives from an iPhone only to return home to the dark ages of individual appliance control!

“To me the analogy is clear. Just as yesterday’s homeowner looked for upgraded kitchens and baths when they purchased their home, today’s new homebuyers are going to expect integrated control systems to be a part of the home they purchase. That’s a fact that is going to drive market growth and opportunity for our entire industry — in new home construction, existing home retrofits, and multi-unit apartment and condominium developments.”

Starkey believes that consumers will benefit from a new generation of what he calls ‘affordably innovative’ system solutions that offer consumers specific levels of multi-room and multi-function systems that are clearly differentiated by retail price points. “I believe you will soon see every new home, and indeed many existing homes, offer system solutions that are price appropriate for the price of the home. The higher you go in the home price, the greater its degree of home function integration and control.”

Custom integration dealers are ready for this new era of growth. The Minneapolis dealer who works with Rocky DiGiacomo, Jay Vandermyde of J.J. Vanderson & Co. asserted, “We’re seeing more and more consumers coming into our storefront asking if its possible to control the appliances in their home from their iPhone just as they control their email, texting and business calendars. Now, with systems like Elan g!, we can tell them, yes it is.”