ere’s an overview of the steps you can take to start with Home Automation

Main components

Homeseer ($ 199)

This is the core software that controls everything. You need this.

RFXCOM (€ 100 – € 330)

This allows you to send and receive almost every RF signal. I use this for wireless door-sensors, smoke-sensors, motion-sensors, temperature/humidity sensors and to control X10 RF devices, KAKU devices,

Choice: USB or LAN
Choice: type of Receivers / Transmitters

NOTE: If you really want to start as cheap as possible you might consider using Domotiga instead of Homeseer. Domotiga is open-source and free.

Components

The part numbers used below are for a European (433 MHz) system. Check the RFXCOM website for 310 MHz US systems & capabilities. The configurations below include a transmitter !

OPTION 1
12103 – (€ 96)  USB 1-port – transmitter (  details  )
NOTE: no expansion, but the new model has a lot of features

OPTION 2
10205 – (e 210 LAN 2-port – transmitter (RFXmitter capabilities / details)
NOTE: Up to 2 Expansion modules can be added

OPTION 3
11201 – (e 250 LAN 2-port – transmitter (RFXmitter capabilities / details)
                                             receiver (capabilities / details)
NOTE: 1 Expansion module can be added (example: Visonic receiver)

[EXPAND Transmitter Details & Capabilities]

RFXmitter capabilities / details

• X10 lighting format,
• X10 security format,
• Digimax format,
• RFXSensor format,
• RFXPower & RFXMeter format,
• KlikAanKlikUit,
• Chacon,
• ELRO AB600,
• DomiaLite,
• ByeByeStandBy,
• ANSLUT,
• NEXA,
• Proove,
• Intertechno,
• Düwi,
• Harrison electrical curtain,
• HomeEasy UK (not EU).

[/EXPAND]

Addons

10602 – (€ 58) Receiver 433 MHz   [EXPAND Capabilities]

• X10 lighting sensors and remotes,
• X10 security sensors,
• Digimax,
• KlikAanKlikUit,
• Chacon,
• NEXA,
• Proove,
• Domia Lite,
• ByeByeStandBy,
• ELRO AB600,
• Intertechno
• Düwi
• RFXSensor devices,
• RFXPower & RFXMeter devices,
• Oregon Scientific weather sensors,
• Oregon Scientific Body Weight Scale,
• ATI Remote Wonder.
• HomeEasy,
• cent-a-meter, Electrisave,
• OWL CM113
• OWL CM119

RFXCOM website capabilities list

[/EXPAND]

40079 – (€ 59) Receiver Visonic 868 MHz   capabilities

Example 1

€ 229

I want to start as cheap as possible.

– Homeseer ($ 199)
– RFXCOM USB with RFXmitter (€ 87)

TOTAL: € 229 with $ exchange rate of 1.4
(this would be  € 87 when starting with Domotiga)

Example 2

€ 352

With this setup I want to start as cheap as possible but with the ability to expand

– Homeseer ($ 199)
– RFXCOM LAN (2-ports) with RFXmitter (€ 210)

TOTAL: € 352 with $ exchange rate of 1.4
(this would be  € 210 when starting with Domotiga)

You can expand this system by adding components from the “Addons” list above. In my setup I have this combination with the Receiver 433 MHz and the Receiver 868 MHz.

Details

What can you receive with the receiver mentioned above?

[EXPAND Receiver capabilities]

• X10 lighting sensors and remotes,
• X10 security sensors,
• Digimax,
• KlikAanKlikUit,
• Chacon,
• NEXA,
• Proove,
• Domia Lite,
• ByeByeStandBy,
• ELRO AB600,
• Intertechno
• Düwi
• RFXSensor devices,
• RFXPower & RFXMeter devices,
• Oregon Scientific weather sensors,
• Oregon Scientific Body Weight Scale,
• ATI Remote Wonder.
• HomeEasy,
• cent-a-meter, Electrisave,
• OWL CM113
• OWL CM119

[/EXPAND]

What can you send with the transmitter (Xmitter) mentioned above?

[EXPAND Xmitter capabilities]

• X10 lighting format,
• X10 security format,
• Digimax format,
• RFXSensor format,
• RFXPower & RFXMeter format,
• KlikAanKlikUit,
• Chacon,
• ELRO AB600,
• DomiaLite,
• ByeByeStandBy,
• ANSLUT,
• NEXA,
• Proove,
• Intertechno,
• Düwi,
• Harrison electrical curtain,
• HomeEasy UK (not EU).

[/EXPAND]

NOTE: Always check the vendor/ordering websites to double-check partnumbers, prices, shipping costs and capabilities. The information above is nothing more than a guideline that helps you to make a choice.

NOTE: besides the initial system hardware investment you will also need 2 other things.
– TIME (to learn, experiment, try)
– $ for sensors, monitors, modules, etc.