California home builder RC Homes Inc. is pre-installing the ELAN smart home automation system in 27 homes across three new Los Angeles communities. Irvine, California-based electronics integrator, Smart Systems Technologies Inc., will install a standard ELAN package in each home through the ELAN New Home Program, which offers homebuyers mobile app control of a video doorbell, smart thermostat, and smart light switches.
“In this area, home automation is definitely something buyers are looking for,” said RandyMontgomery, project and marketing manager at RC Homes Inc. “We love that the ELAN standard package gets to the heart of home automation with lighting, climate and front door security, while house wide pre-wiring gives each buyer a multitude of personalization options. It was also important to us that it be ultra-easy to use. There’s only one app to open, not a different one for every room or every function, and anyone who can use a smartphone can learn the ELAN app in minutes.”
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Each of the 27 three-story, single-family homes will be pre-wired for additional control and automation, which RC Homes and Smart Systems Technologies are offering in three personalized packages that fulfill security, access and media control needs.
Smart Home Packages
The Peace of Mind package adds an app-controlled smart door lock, smart garage door opener and a surveillance camera for the garage so that the homeowner can talk to a front door visitor and let them in the door or garage remotely from the app. Many new homebuyers are rightly concerned about the common occurrence of package theft, and this package alleviates any need for packages to be left outside the home.
The Safe & Sound package includes a 2GIG security system that can be armed and disarmed via any ELAN interface, including mobile devices. 2GiG is fully integrated into the ELAN system, so the entire home can react to specific safety and security events. For example, fire alarm activation can automatically shut off the HVAC to prevent smoke from spreading through the house while turning on key interior lights to help occupants exit the home.
The Media Room package option adds wiring for in-ceiling speakers, a subwoofer, and an AV receiver in the main living/entertaining space.
“These beautiful homes have everything modern buyers want,” Montgomery added. “Three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, ample living space, a two-car garage, balconies and decks with incredible views of the Los Angeles area, central locations to shopping and culture, and of course a bevy of thoughtful home automation technologies to make everyday life simpler.”
In addition to the ELAN automation system and available personalization packages, RC Homes Inc. has designed each home with in-wall USB outlets in various rooms and in-wall tubing to hide HDMI and other cables for the main TV area.
All three communities will be open in 2019, with Hyperion Silver Lake currently being sold and opening its fully outfitted model home this month. The model home will demonstrate all three personalization packages, allowing prospective buyers to see exactly what is available. The Griffith, an 11-home community also located in Silver Lake, will come next, followed by the eight-unit Fairfax At Sunset, located in West Hollywood.
ELAN and RC Align
The alignment between ELAN, RC Homes and Smart Systems Technologies was enabled by the ELAN New Home Program wherein the technology manufacturer works with home builders to promote smart home automation as a basic home function and pair them with local integration experts. According to Jimmy Salloum, vice president of sales and marketing for SST, the ELAN New Homes Program is presenting new installation opportunities and starting more conversations between builders and technology integrators.
“Nortek’s ELAN is always working to help us land more jobs and spread the gospel of home automation to the industries we interact with, such as builders and designers,” Salloum said. “By leveraging personalized packages on top of a base package that will be the first true automation experience for many homebuyers, we will create repeat customers and grow the community of home automation advocates.”
ELAN is actively working with RC Homes’ marketing and sales teams to maximize the messaging to prospective buyers and will have representatives on hand at the December open house at Hyperion Silver Lake. RC Homes is proudly marketing the technology as a major component of the homes, as seen on the Hyperion website’s Smart Home page.
“It’s no secret that our daily activities are being increasingly supplemented by mobile control, from banking to entertainment to control of home systems,” said Bret Jacob, Nortek Security & Control director of builder services. “With the ELAN base package offering instant front door video communication from anywhere in the world, mobile lighting control and energy-saving climate automation, every buyer gets a simple and powerful home automation experience. RC Homes decision to pre-wire the whole home is a brilliant addition that opens the door for system personalization at any point in the future.”
Integrators and builders who want to learn more about the new ELAN New Home Program can contact Bret Jacob by email at bret.jacob@nortekcontrol.com or by phone at 615.815.8333.
