Hello AT,
I'm trying to figure out the best way to put up remote-controlled curtain mechanisms in my home. I'd like something that can also be programmed to open/close at a specified time (it will make waking up in the morning so much easier). I wanted to know if other people at AT had done this, and what they though. I found this website, remotecontrolcurtain.com, and wanted to know if anyone had used them before, or if you have suggestions for other suppliers.
Thanks! Reshma
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We can't claim to be do-it-yourselfers: a young person we employ comes in each morning with the papers, juice and coffee and proceeds to open the windows. The drawback: sometimes a do-not-disturb sign is necessary. But so far the system has been reliable and we think we've got the hang of it should someone fail to show up some morning.
view Marco's profile
LOL - very funny
view Anusha73's profile
hahah... that has to be a joke, right?
view suziegoombs's profile
No joke, but I don't want to be equating a wonderful human being with an anonymous remote control. Our solution has been far more expensive, far more complicated (you cannot imagine the paperwork) and far, far more pleasant. The real drawback? She's off next spring to delight in travel and to pursue her studies. And we wish her very good fortune.
view Marco's profile
and then there was laziness...
view joebelt's profile
how does one get a job as a window opener/coffee, juice & paper deliverer? what does a job like that pay? what kind of educational requirements are involved? can this woman financially manage to "delight in travel and to pursue her studies" after retiring from window opening/coffee, juice & paper delivering?
i'm fascinated.
view homo_wner's profile
About once a week on AT I have to check its not April 1st.
view hrhprincessfiona's profile
I'm also thinking this is a joke - there was no other job function - that's it? It really does sound unnecessary unless there is a physical disability involved.
view Monkeyme's profile
hehehe, what about those of us who don't have the human that comes in every morning? Can anyone suggest a good way of automating the process?
view reshma's profile
Good grief. She also does cooking and marketing, cares for two dachshunds and handles various emergencies. She is the daughter of friends and is here in order to immerse herself in US culture and become more fluent with the language. When she departs we'll no doubt do what the inquiring AT reader ought to do: learn to open the draperies her/himself. Of all the things I'd hate to relinquish permanently (via remote control) would be the ability to rise and greet the day. On the other hand, I'm delighted that there are coffeemakers that can be pre-set.
view Marco's profile
Marco, that is my dream job.
view brittanykate's profile
MecoShade
http://www.mechoshade.com/site/electroniccontrolsystems/index.cfm
view spanishfish's profile
The Total Window Company (www.totalwindow.com) offers motorized automatic shades. If I'm not mistaken, their installations can incorporate a sun sensor or timer that triggers movement of the shades. I believe Hunter-Douglas and possibly Levolor also offer mechanized shades that work with a remote control, they may offer a timer mechanism. The Somfy Company, Lutron, and the Silent Gliss Company manufacture mechanized window shades, the latter makes mechanized curtains.
view John H's profile
Automated blinds? Seriously?
Unless the blinds are waaaaaaaay up high here's your answer:
http://www.healthierus.gov/exercise.html
view Modfan's profile
I don't think automated blinds are a bad idea. I've considered getting blackout shades so I'll sleep more soundly in the early morning, but I'm truly afraid that I'll crawl back to sleep after the alarm. Your body does sleep/wake more easily depending on the light.
view segcube's profile
I think the idea is bad simply because of the amount of energy and resources it wastes. Don't get me wrong: I love waking up to sunlight streaming into my window. But I accomplish that by opening the blinds just before I go to bed.
view Modfan's profile
After reading the AT post on the NY Times home section, I stumbled onto a linked article concerning motorized shades and draperies:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/14/realestate/14home.html?ex=1189828800&en=41b08431290e4278&ei=5070
If it doesn't work, the article, "Shades and Windows Think for Themselves", dated Jan 14, 2007, is written by Jay Romano. The article lists a number of manufacturers of motorized window shades and draperies.
Good luck!
view John H's profile
No one here answered the original question. The answer is very simple...using lutron QED shades...and a lutron homeworks lighting control system brain....like a series 4 processor....can easily accomplish this task. The brain takes the location you are in the world and knows when sunrise and sunset occurs every day and can kick off an event based upon the sunrise time for that day. Sensors are also very easy to incorporate into this. Lutron just came out with wireless control of shades also for another type of system...controled by the new QS brain.
Links:
http://www.lutron.com/CMS400/default.aspx?app=sivoiaqs
http://www.lutron.com/homeworks/4series.asp
view smarthousecontrol's profile