Lutron Technology

Lutron Lighting Control

Lutron Electronics designs and manufactures energy-saving lighting controls, automated window treatments, temperature controls, and appliance modules for both residential and commercial applications throughout the world. The company’s solutions, which easily integrate with other third-party systems, such as security systems, make any space more versatile, while enhancing ambiance and comfort. You can conveniently control Lutron solutions via keypads and wireless remotes, as well as from your smart device.

All this culminates into savings for you, with advancements in LED and halogen lighting combined with dimming technology’s lighting has become super energy efficient. Some systems even come with ambient light sensors to set your lights to pre-programed sets maximizing the light and savings. My favorite setting is the path of light. The lights turn on as you enter the room and off as you exit, eliminating the need to search for switches in the dark.

The functionality of Lutron and the customization of the switches them self’s. one button can control many of the lights, even setting up a movie mode the lights go full bright and as your projector cuts on the lights slowly dim until they cut off. This gives you plenty of time to get in your seat and comfy. Joel Spira’s first invention – a simple rotary dimmer that can still be found on many dining-room walls today revolutionized the way we think of lighting control.

Workplace Productivity & Efficiency
Proper lighting control can translate to an increase in productivity. Though typical lighting is fine for paperwork, it is usually 2 to 3 times brighter than is ideal for computer work. The solution?
Optimizing daylight and electric light saves energy and creates a productive, comfortable environment. Dimming increases lamp life and reduces maintenance costs, which can significantly affect your bottom line. Light controls can reduce the cost to reconfigure space, whether for different events, new tenants, or new layouts. Light control systems, such as Quantum, can also report on energy usage and savings to manage costs down. Lutron has a variety of solutions to improve the quality and efficiency of your work environment.

Commercial spaces can reduce overhead costs by controlling the lighting. For example, when The New York Times Company wanted to create an “energizing work environment” and reduce its energy consumption, it chose Lutron light control strategies. With light level tuning, daylight harvesting and occupancy sensing, the company saved nearly 70% of its lighting energy each year.

Residential
Whether you are leaving for the evening or on an extended vacation, Lutron provides a variety of solutions that can enhance the safety and security of your home. With Casét Wireless, turn lights on and off from the safety of your car with just the touch of a button—no more fumbling for the light switch as you try to unlock the door. Dimmers installed by the stairs and in hallways can illuminate a path of light in key areas of your house, making it easier to navigate from one room to the other during the night.

RadioRA 2 and HomeWorks QS enhance security with advanced functionality, including timeclocks and remote monitoring capabilities. You can even integrate these systems directly to your security system to visually enhance the system’s functions and save energy without effecting the security system’s performance.

Custom Thunder Audio Video brings you the best in residential and commercial entertainment installation in North Alabama and Southern Tennessee. We specialize in custom home theater installation, lighting control, structured wiring, satellite systems, flat panel TV installations, and outdoor audio/video systems. Check out our website or blog for more information.

How Much Does it Cost?

In the world of home entertainment there are so many variables, so many configurations, and so many choices.  But for most customers, “How much does it cost?” is the biggest concern.

Here’s a basic answer to remember: You Get What You Pay For.

So we’ll start with what you need.

I as an integrator / Programmer, have to understand the entire system! I need to know what the clients interests are, what components will be involved, and what services they prefer, as well as have recommendations and answers for questions about these different services. By services, I mean DirecTV vs. Dish vs. Cable, or Sirius vs. Pandora or Netflix vs. Amazon. Questions like these help determine what you need: does the client like movies or sports or both? Do they have an I-pod, or would they rather stream music from the internet, or do they like a favorite FM channel? How does the client want to control all of the different aspects of the system? It’s my job to understand how it all works and to know what components are needed and what cable or wire is needed to make sure the proper wiring configuration is in place to make it all happen.

Then incorporate what you want.

There are so many cost variables and just like anything else, there are high quality and low quality products. We as custom integrators use these products daily and we strive to make sure the products we offer have good warranties and have a great track record with us. If we test and use a product and we see a design flaw or have a persistent issue with a particular, we will find another solid solution. Don’t get me wrong, all electronic equipment is subject to failure. We just try to minimize those failures. We always recommend using surge / lightning protection and power conditioning products to help minimize these issues, I can’t make the customer purchase these products but ALWAYS recommend them.

So how much it cost depends on the quality of the products, how many products are needed to make the system work properly and how easily you want to be able to control it as well as how much time it will take to design, install, and program the system…

The good news…….Estimates are always FREE!!!!

Keep it Simple

Simple? That’s the request we hear the most from our clients.

What does Simple mean in the Audio Video/ Home Automation world?

Well, it means controlling everything, on one handheld system controller, with just the press of a button. Want to watch a movie or show on satellite or cable? Simple! With one button you can turn on a projector, drop the screen, close the blinds, turn on the satellite or cable box, turn on the home theater receiver, set the system to the correct settings, and dim the lights. Plus, many other commands customized to your system. (Sorry, you’ll have to grab the popcorn!) Even Blue-Ray or NETFLIX can be controlled with another button on the same controller!

Choosing the correct system controller depends on your system and budget.

Even the smallest budgets can incorporate an inexpensive hard button remote control for a TV, surround receiver, cable or satellite box, and a Blu-ray player. But, for ultimate customization, an LCD touch screen remote is the best solution. An LCD remote has almost unlimited button capacity, so we can configure your system controller to control as many components as you could possibly incorporate into a single home system!

Want to make sure everything looks Simple?

A Radio Frequency (RF) Processor will allow you to control your components thru walls or cabinet doors. So you can hide all the clutter and wires of the system out of sight in a cabinet or media closet.

How about the simplest solution for total home automation?

A two-way processor is a highly sophisticated processor that allows for two-way communication. These allow you to control your thermostat, lighting, music system, alarm system, surveillance cameras, and even more. With an internet connection, you can get current weather, know what lights are on or off, check what station the radio is on, set the DVR, or view your surveillance cameras from anywhere with your I-pad, I-phone, Droid, or handheld system controller.

Can it really be that simple?

For the end user, it should be this simple. For simplicity, I always recommend a customized system control!

-Brian Moses, Owner – Custom Thunder Audio Video, Inc.