10 Electronics Tips to Spice Up Your Kitchen
Source: ElectricHouse.com
As a result, it’s one of the first places you should consider integrating electronic systems.
These add-ons needed be expensive. You can start with something as simple as a motion sensor that activates the lights in the pantry automatically when you open the door, or put in a more sophisticated system that can stream music to speakers in the kitchen … and elsewhere.
Go for lighting control, home control, even large touchpanels that double as TV screens.
Lighting Control
A lighting control system can adjust the intensity of the lights for any activity that take place in the kitchen. All you do is press a button labeled Dinner, Breakfast, Entertain or Clean, and the system will dim or brighten select fixtures.
Whole House Audio
A whole-house music system can stream audio from the family room entertainment system, the home office PC and other devices to speakers in the kitchen. The ceiling is usually the best spot to put them.
Touchpanel
A touchpanel can function as a TV, an interface for controlling the lights, thermostats, music and other devices, and an intercom system. It needs to be connected to a home control system in order to perform these tasks.
Motion Sensor
A motion sensor can turn on and off certain lights, like the fixtures in the pantry or broom closet. Not having to manually flip a light switch is a great convenience when your hands are full.
Central Vacuum
A central vacuum system can make kitchen clean-up a snap. An accessory offered with most systems is a kick plate. Installed on the baseboard, it sucks away any particles that are swept to it.
Water Sensor
A water sensor can alert you if your dishwasher or refrigerator leaks. This may never happen, but if it does, you’ll be happy you had the forethought to have a few of these sensors installed.
Articulating TV Mount
An articulating mount can twist the TV toward the kitchen so you can watch your favorite shows while cooking. Models that can be operated via remote are available.
Telephone System
A telephone system lets you speak with visitors at the front door—as well as with people inside your house—by pressing a few buttons on the kitchen phone.
Timer
A timer can turn off the lights, music and video at a preset time. Home control systems have this feature built-in, and you can also use it to activate devices at prescribed times (like right before breakfast).
Ethernet Jacks
Ethernet jacks can come in handy for computing at the kitchen table and to take advantage of energy management programs offered by a growing number of utilities. When plugged into a jack, your refrigerator, dishwasher and other appliances will be able to turn on/off depending on the current utility rates.
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