ONE TOUCH CONTROL

Forget walking around your home switching on lights, turning on the fans, opening the blinds and finding music to play when you arrive home. "Home automation systems do it all for you at the touch of a button," says Tony Myers, owner and founder of audio visual and home automation firm 345AV.

“A well-designed home automation system allows for simple one touch control through 'Scenes',” he explains. Pre-programmed scenes such as ‘home,’ ‘movie,’‘sleep’ or ‘away’ each set lights to desired levels, HVAC to preferred temperature, lower or raise blinds and more.

"'Scenes' can be scheduled to activate at pre-determined times: say you want your exterior lights to come on when the sun goes down, these can be programmed to adjust to the changing time of the sunset through the year," Tony says.

Whereas a generation ago new technologies often resulted in having a bundle of remote controls to operate your music, TV and DVD, today the danger is you might end up with multiple apps to operate your different systems. A well-designed system, however, reduces these to a single, intuitive app. “The easier a system is to use, the more you're going to use and appreciate it,” he points out.

SIMPLE ROOMS TO ENTIRE PROPERTIES

Established in 2012, 345AV designs, installs and maintains AV and home automation systems in high-end residential settings, resorts and business premises. With ten knowledgeable CEDIA-trained members, they are Cayman’s leading specialists in this fast-evolving industry. One of the simplest and most popular services 345AV provides is the Sonos music system, which allows you to either play the same sounds throughout the property, or choose to play a podcast in the kitchen, have the radio on in the bedroom, and soft jazz playing on the terrace.

"A great way to dip one’s toes into the world of home automation," 345AV’s owner says," is with the scalable Savant systems. Starting at around $1500 these systems allow you to start with one zone or room in the property, controlling lighting or blinds, and then add more zones and functions over time."

At the other end of the scale, 345AV designs and installs anything from underwater pool speakers to outdoor theatres with motorised projectors and screens.

AESTHETICALLY DESIGNED TO ENHANCE YOUR HOME

Nobody wants to see cables dangling from behind a wall-mounted TV or unsightly speakers affixed to the walls. That’s why 345AV works with architects and interior designers to make sure their designs are incorporated during the construction phase, resulting in installations that fit discreetly into the overall aesthetic. The end goal is to provide technology the customer can’t see but can use daily.

“We recently completed a renovation at a private residence at the Ritz-Carlton utilising recessed trimless speakers and Samsung Frame TVs. The day before the client returned, we got a panicked call from a concierge: "All the TVs in the bedrooms are gone!" We arrived, picked up a handheld remote, selected 'Apple TV.' The art faded away to the Apple TV home screen, and we played the TV and speakers. This is the result we love to get.”

ADDING VALUE TO YOUR HOME

Home automation technologies can translate into important savings for homeowners. By lowering blinds when the sun is shining into a room, for instance, one can reduce heat gain – and thus cooling costs – whilst also protecting fabrics and soft furnishings from the damaging effects of the sun. Lights and thermostats can equally be adjusted from any location, avoiding unnecessary energy consumption. Even if homeowners do not wish to use these systems themselves, their successors may, Tony advises. It’s therefore a wise way of future-proofing a property and adding to the re-sale value.

From straightforward audio systems to whole home automation, 345AV designs and installs these technologies in new builds and retrofits existing properties. With advances in technology having made these systems increasingly easy to use and also cost effective, it’s a sensible way to simplify everyday tasks, reduce energy consumption and enhance the appearance and experience of living in your property.

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For more information contact Tony Myers
AV Design, Installation and Maintenance
345AV Ltd.
Call: 345.916.7753
Visit: www.345av.net