One of the most convenient ways to put home automation to work for you is to consolidate all of your remote controls into one.
New, universal remote controls let you change TV channels and start up your DVD player from the same hand-held device, and dim the lights, crank up the air conditioning, start your outdoor sprinklers and arm your home’s security alarm.
Plus, you can use the remote to control devices all over your home, even if you’re in a different room.The new remotes have easy-to-understand buttons that read, “Start movie” or “Goodnight,” and trigger a series of on/off action around your home. All you have to do is press the button on a hand-held control or a console box.
Of course, a lot of computer programming happens to make that button work. But you don’t have to do it. All you have to do is find the remote!