Back in the day we were promised innovations that would make flying cars the norm, weekend vacations to Jupiter possible and beachfront property on Mars the latest craze. Unfortunately it’s 2006, and those dreams are still light years away, but don’t fret. Greenbrier Communications (GCom) has home automation solutions that would make George Jetson envious. From wireless climate control to smart touch technology, Greenbrier Communications is lighting the way to a faster, more intelligent home life. And time travel isn’t necessary to obtain these edgy innovations, GCom has the technology NOW, at their wireless fingertips.
Get Smart
Greenbrier Communications doesn’t orbit in a galaxy far, far away; it’s nestled in the mystic mountains of Southern West Virginia in the historic village of Lewisburg. First established in 1995, GCom focused on data and internet networking before pursuing home automation solutions. They are now one of the main innovators of Southern West Virginia in the market of smart home technology.
What exactly makes these homes so smart? Home Automation allows the user to indulge in the ultimate lifestyle of ease and comfort. Just imagine one click of a button controls the over-head lights, XM radio, plasma television and yes, even the thermostat. That Star Trek lifestyle that you’ve been dreaming of is finally here; it’s time to let Scotty beam you up to that lifestyle of luxury.
Adam Criddle and Rich Rehak of Greenbrier Communications to gave WVE a tour of their smart model home in Lewisburg. “It’s difficult to explain smart home technology to you over the phone or face-to-face,” says Criddle, “but being able to bring someone to the model house and show them the features that home automation offers, opens up peoples minds and shows them how home automation might benefit them.”
“After seeing the opportunities that were presented at the Greenbrier Sporting Club, we wanted to focus on doing projects with gated communities,” says Rehak. “We wanted to move forward and provide security and home networks that were innovative to the market. At the same time, Allen Carson, part owner of GCom decided to build a new house here in the area. I started to do some research in new home technology out there and found something that was interesting in the field and was just taking off. It was called home automation.”
Rehak soon found a company he was confident in. “I came back and said ‘if we want to do this, we have to do it with Crestron.’ So we became a Crestron dealer. We invested in a variety of equipment and I started going to programming and training seminars. Luckily, at the same time, Mr. Carson was beginning to build his place and wanted us to do this business because he saw potential there, so we decided to make his new house our new showroom.” With a plan, a company and a new show room to test out this new technology, Greenbrier Communications was on the move, the smart way.
Control at Your Fingertips
Everything seems quite normal, as you enter the home, except for a vibrant touch screen monitor sitting on top of a kitchen counter. However, this isn’t a mere monitor; it is the genius behind the whole automation engine that runs technology throughout the floor plan of this home. “This touch screen monitor can control audio throughout the whole house, video, security, HVAC and lighting,” explains Criddle. “I can basically click the floor plan on the monitor and you can see what is on the television or playing on XM radio throughout the whole house.”
From this smart station the homeowner has the power to control the climate, tinker with XM Radio and even TiVo the Mountaineers game. Can’t find the TV remote? No worries, this touch screen has you covered! “You don’t even have the hassle of needing a different remote control for the television, DVD player or satellite, it’s all taken care of with the touch panel, it’s a remote control for the whole house,” Rehak explains. However, don’t worry about having to make a special visit to the kitchen each time you want to turn on or off a light. Throughout the entire home there are mounted touch screen monitors, not to mention wireless touch screens that work anywhere throughout the home. Each touch screen is linked into the system so the user can control any option or security program desired from any location in the house.
As the cloudy horizon begins to block the natural light coming through the stained glass window, all of a sudden the ceiling becomes lit. “No need to look for light switches, if you hit that light bulb on the computer screen, you can control every lighting fixture on the floor plan,” Adam says with a grin. “What we’ve done is taken all of the house components—including lighting fixtures—and integrated them into touch panels throughout the house.” This integration makes it possible to turn on the lights in the living room from the kitchen and turn off the lights in the upstairs hallway from the downstairs theatre.
“When we first started to install home automation in this house, the owner thought the audio and video options would be the coolest part about this technology. Turns out, he absolutely loves the lighting feature,” says Criddle.
Not only can the homeowner control light fixtures from a comfy bed, they can also be control the entire house from a summer home in South Carolina. This is all made possible by the leading home automation company of Crestron and its eCONTROL program which allows users to connect to the system from any outside location. eCONTROL allows for all smart home technology features such as lighting controls, audio and HVAC options to be functional on any outside connected computer. Smart Home technology takes away all of the worries and the “did I leave the living room lights on…” question out of the picture.
Greenbrier Communications also has the capability and technology to have sensor lighting and preset conditions throughout the home. At times it’s difficult to find the light switch in a pitch black hallway while carrying four bags of groceries.
“I feel as if home automation will eventually become a standard in construction in regards to our generation and our kids’ kids,” says Rehak. “They won’t know what a light switch looks like. Some kids will be like, ‘Gosh, I can’t believe that you guys had to flip light switches up and down!’”
Edgy Entertainment
The lavish downstairs theatre sets up a movie on the widescreen, controls all surround sound and slowly dims the lights. This is the perfect “at home” theatre experience, and the best part is there isn’t a pesky TV, DVD or audio controller in sight. Not only can the user control the DVD player from the wireless touch screen but they can also turn on any television in the house and select a desired satellite channel, movie option or see what is going on at their from gate via the security cameras.
“Another cool thing about this entertainment option is that you can be downstairs watching a movie, push pause, go upstairs and watch the rest of the movie in the master bedroom,” says Criddle. This also means that you can see and control what your kids are watching through the color touch screen.
“From the touch screen we can even work the motorized shades in the master bedroom and eventually we will program a button on the touch screen that once pushed, the flat screen TV will come on, the DVD player will start, the lights will dim and the motorized shades will slowly block out all outside light, giving the total entertainment experience,” says Rehak. The touch pad is also fully enabled with all TiVo features so if you are caught up in the movie theatre, you can always TiVo the season finale of LOST from the touch screen without moving from the recliner.
If you are in need of a beverage or some popcorn for your movie, each room also has a built in intercom in each in-wall touch panel. “We have intercom touch panels throughout the whole house that makes it easier to communicate in different levels and locations,” explains Criddle. “The kitchen panel is touch-free so if I’m in the theatre, I can talk to anyone while they are in the middle of making dinner. They don’t even need to wash their hands to touch a talk button because its hands free, again making it quite easy to communicate.”
Digital Watchdog
Who needs a Doberman when you have the touch screen; it has more surveillance, more security, and no drool. From any touch screen in the house you can see what is happening throughout the home and outside property. “We’re also working on setting up technology that when someone is at the front gate, it will send an electronic message or email to the homeowner who is away and notify them that there is someone at the gate, the owner can then access the security camera online in any outside location and see who is waiting at their door,” Rehak explains.
Secret Intelligence
No thermostats, no DVD players, not a single TV remote in sight. How is this possible? That my friend is no secret, nestled in a room the size of a walk-in closet is the secret behind this technological marvel. Two large, refrigerator size cabinets hold all of the technology and information needed to connect each processor to the surrounding monitors. Within these cabinets are miles of wires that put the “smart” in smart home technology.
Make it Happen
You don’t have to have the wallet of Bill Gates to have his technology in your home. GCom has a variety of options and different programs that make smart home technology more of a reality than you think. Criddle explains that, “one manufacturer that we deal with figures that roughly $2 to $3 a square foot would give a client a home automation system that would allow the user to control their lighting, HVAC and security. It can fit into your budget!”
Rehak goes on to explain that GCom is much more than a home automation company. “We are different from other subcontractors in regards to an electrician. They come in, hook up lighting and that’s it. We are continuously talking to the owner of the house. It’s an everlasting relationship.”
The real beauty behind the brains of this operation is that it gives clients the opportunity to turn their homes into their own smart creations. If the technology is out there, then Greenbrier Communications can make any tech-dream a reality. Rehak says with a smart smile that the best part of working with such innovative technology is that, “when a client comes to me and says, ‘Can I…’ I automatically say, ‘YES, you can!’”