What You Need to Know About the HomeWorks QS System

The LiteTouch system was seen in homes as a successful lighting system for years. They have since, however, discontinued the line, leaving many homes with outdated and at times dysfunctional solutions. 

Lutron HomeWorks QS has stepped in as the ideal replacement. If you have a Lite Touch system in your Westerly, RI home, a Lutron lighting system is the necessary replacement for a retrofit solution that embraces all the latest technology. 

In this blog, we’ll look at what LiteTouch was and what the transition to Lutron’s HomeWorksQS system looks like.

Check Out Our Award-Winning Lutron Lighting Project

We usually write informational blogs highlighting the importance of smart technology features, tips, or generally useful content related to the industry. This time, though, we’d like to tell you about a project we’re proud of that won the 2017 Lutron Excellence Award for “Best Specialty Project.”

We’ve completed a lot of projects that incorporate a Lutron lighting system in the Guilford, CT area and beyond. This one though was special due its scale, customization, and results. 

In this blog, we’ll tell you about the award we received and the project that won it.

Here’s How Architects Can Plan for Home Automation Systems

Do you have clients looking to incorporate smart technology into their home build? With the rise of home automation systems, a new generation of homebuyers is looking to create a smart home they can customize and trust. When drawing up your Newport, RI house design, consider partnering directly with a home automation dealer for seamless integration of smart home technology in your plans.

In this blog, we will look at why architects and builders should consider partnering with smart home technology dealers and why ELAN’s New Home Program is a good avenue to take.

Ensure Your Home Network Setup Works Properly

Your home network setup can make or break your home automation technology; it’s the system through which your devices communicate and function. Having a solid and reliable home network in your Guilford, CT home is essential to ensuring your smart technology works properly.

There are many aspects to home network setups: hardware, bandwidth, speed, and reach. Understanding all of these components can be overwhelming, so in this blog, we will focus on the reach aspect. More specifically, we will provide an overview of when and why you should consider wireless access points to extend your network’s signal. What exactly does that mean? Read on to find out!

Explore How Lighting Control Can Enhance Your Property’s Security Presence

Winter in Connecticut is well underway, and that, unfortunately, means it won’t be long until you’re dealing with the next snow or ice storm.

Or perhaps you’re heading out of town toward warmer temperatures and you’re concerned about keeping your property safe through the season.

No matter the circumstance, Lutron lighting control can enhance your family’s safety this winter.

How, exactly, might lighting control improve your Old Saybrook, CT home’s security presence?

Simply read on to find out more.

The Best Home Automation Features by ELAN

C&T Systems is a proud partner of ELAN because it offers simple and intuitive home automation to families who need more control in their lives. There are many smart home brands available in the Newport, RI area, but how do you know you are buying the best of the best? In this blog we are going to explain why we recommend ELAN and how it can change your lifestyle for the better. 

Use Window Treatments to Add Security and Convenience to Your Rhode Island Home

 C&T Systems has been a trusted Lutron partner for more than 10 years. Now we are uniting our newest partnership with ELAN smart home systems with Lutron to provide both the best window treatments and automated controls. Lutron shades integrate seamlessly with ELAN systems, so if you need an update or want to start fresh, C&T Systems can provide the home control you need. 

Simplify Your Lifestyle with Home Automation

How many apps are on your phone right now? If you are like most people, you’ve probably lost count. Add too many apps that you don’t use regularly and you might create app clutter. DIY home automation can make the problem much worse. So how do you address the problem? Read this blog about app consolidation and get all the benefits of home automation in your Stonington, CT home.

Upgrade Your Home with Automation and Hidden Technology

Home automation is about more than controlling all your technology; it’s also about weaving your tech throughout your Stonington, CT house so that it works with your interior design. Audio, video and other smart devices shouldn’t detract from the look of the house; they should complement it. An integrator can give you the right controls and also hide all of the technology. Learn how by reading this blog.

Select the Right Shading to Enhance Your Home Entertainment

A professional home theater needs a 4K projector, a state of the art screen and an integrated control system, but there are other features you may need in order to get the most out of your entertainment experience. Arguably the most important feature of all is a dark room to enjoy it all in. If your room has windows, then you’ll need motorized shades. Here is a comprehensive guide on how you can create the right environment for enjoying movies and more with window treatments in your Westerly, RI home.

Enjoy Nature in the Evening with These Smart Lighting Solutions

The summer is finally here and it’s time to enjoy the fantastic weather while it lasts. On our blog we’ve covered the amazing benefits of Lutron lighting control around your Stonington, CT home. But what about your backyard? Relaxing out back on the porch or taking an evening dip in the hot tub requires good lighting, so why not automate your landscape? You’ll be able to enjoy the evening night sky and the summer breeze with easy-to-use lighting controls at your side. Keep reading this blog to learn more.

How a Hartford Integrator Successfully Renovated an ELAN Smart Home

About four years ago, the Hartford-based integrator C&T Systems installed an ELAN smart home automation system at a large home in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The smart home, complete with Lutron lighting and shading, home entertainment controls, and surveillance, won awards from Lutron for its amazing installation and performance. But when the tides of technology changed, it was time for an upgrade. The client was interested in an upgrade and wanted new controls since the old ELAN interface was somewhat limited.

The Equipment You Need for Stellar Sound

There’s an infinite amount of ways to enjoy your music, but not all of them are created equal. You’ve probably seen it a million times before. You walk into a friend’s home in Stonington, Connecticut, or maybe it’s even your own, but one person is listening to his or her headphones, another is using the speakers off of their laptop, and the last one is using a small Bluetooth speaker.  The result is several disjointed listening methods, all of which are depriving them of a true sonic experience. The answer is a whole house music system. Continue reading to learn more.

The Only Remote You Need in Your Rhode Island Home

One of the biggest advantages of installing smart home automation in your Westerly-area home is that you can decrease clutter—including apps, cords, wires, AV equipment, and remotes. Littering your coffee table with remotes from the Blu-ray player to the cable box to the television itself is not only an eyesore in your home, but it can be confusing for your family and friends when they want to enjoy a show in your media room or home theater. Perhaps you also have a few more remotes lying around the house to control your shades, lights, and other smart devices. It can be hard keeping tabs on all of them, especially if you tend to lose items easily. So what is the solution? Upgrading to downsize. A remote from ELAN will help you get organized and also simplify your home theater controls. Read this article to learn more.

Automate the Shades on Your Sun Porch in Stonington, CT

It may still be a bit chilly in Connecticut, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t too early to start thinking about your spring and summer plans. For Connecticut homeowners who love spending time outdoors, motorized shades are a perfect addition to your patio so you can enjoy nature without the annoying bugs or harsh glare from the sun. Our trusted lighting and shading brand Lutron has partnered with Insolroll to automate the shades on your porch or patio. Keep reading to learn more about this new smart home feature.

Control Your Lights with Voice Commands

By now you’ve likely seen the commercials and advertisements for either the Amazon Alexa or Google Home—devices that allow you to control your smart home with your voice. As one of the premier Lutron lighting installation companies in New England, C&T Systems is excited to share the news that we can connect your Alexa with your Lutron lighting system. So if you got this new gadget for Christmas, or you still have it on your wish list, keep reading to discover how Alexa connects to your lighting. You’ll be amazed at how this little gadget can enhance your Stonington, CT home.

Motorized Shades Help Insulate Your Newport, RI Home

We have talked a lot about the benefits of motorized shades, like saving energy and convenience. But there is another advantage of automating your window coverings, which is comfort. Believe it or not, shades can help regulate the temperature of your home, even in winter. The cold weather can put a big strain on your HVAC system, but there’s a solution. Motorized shades help insulate your Newport, Rhode Island property by regulating internal temperatures. In this blog, we’ll show you why smart shading is the perfect way to stay warm this holiday season.

Manage Your Danbury Home Your Way with Customized Controls

 A smart home installation is all about control, but it’s also about versatility. Not only do your options expand, but you also get to decide how you connect to all of your electronic devices. We are seeing technology change and develop at a rapid pace, but the goal is still the same – to satisfy the user. Because ultimately, if you can’t figure out how to control something, it’s useless. C&T Systems designs and installs your smart home to be easy to use and seamless so that everything works together quickly and smoothly. In this blog, we are going to highlight the newest and most popular ways to control your smart home. So whether you live in Danbury, CT or Hartford, we can customize your home to your exact preferences.

Lutron Lighting Features You Don’t Want to Miss Out On

A Lutron lighting installation is about so much more than just being able to dim a room or turn off all the lights in one touch, it’s about creating an experience unique to your home and your needs.  There are many features you may not even know about that we offer. Perhaps you are a techie who wants to know about the newest smart home gadgets, or maybe you simply want to know all about what your lighting system can do to get the most out of your investment. In either case, this blog will be helpful. Here’s how you can take the lighting in your New Canaan, CT home to the next level with automation technology.

What do you need for a well-run smart home automation system?

You may wonder, 'what makes a smart home run perfectly?’ While there are many factors to installing a fully integrated smart home, there is one key factor that is often overlooked – the network. It may seem obvious, but many times the problem lies with the Internet connection, not with the device, design, or the AV installation company.

The true secret to an effective smart home is the network installation. In order to live an electronic lifestyle, you need strong internet connections established in your Newport, Rhode Island home. Without it, every other piece fails. Your wireless Internet connection is the backbone of the smart home. Continue reading this article to discover why a home network is so important and what services we offer to guarantee a perfect smart home operation.