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What does systems integration mean?The unification of electronic subsystems such as entertainment, life safety, communications, and environmental control, into one system all sharing a common user interface.What are the benefits of having electronic systems integrated?An increase of time-saving conveniences, lower utility bills, and your home’s overall value will go up.What is an Electronic Systems Contractor? An “ESC” is a company that provides sales, installation, and service on life safety systems, sound communication, entertainment, and environmental control systems.What does low-voltage mean?By definition, low-voltage uses less than 30 volts of electricity; the standard 110 volts of most electrical outlets are brought down by use of a transformer.What are the benefits of low-voltage lighting?Low-voltage lighting is very versatile by being dimmable, energy efficient, and by offering pinpoint beam control. The bulbs are small, which allows use of smaller more compact light sources.What is home automation?The ability to control household electronic systems such as lighting, audio equipment, climate control, and appliances that all share a common user interface.Can you retrofit an existing home? In most cases, yes.If I am building a new home, how soon should I get an ESC involved if I decide to install low-voltage electronics in my home?It is better that we are contacted earlier rather than later in the design process to ensure optimum savings on the overall project.Can you do a custom home theatre based around a particular theme?Absolutely! Anything is in the realm of possibility. If you can imagine it, HWA can build it.Does a home theatre have to be in a dedicated or committed space?No! You really don’t need as much space as you think.How long is the installation process for a home theatre?Every theatre project is different. That truly depends on the size, scope, and budget of the theatre you had in mind.Will I see unslightly wires and cables?Absolutely not! Accent ESI will hide and/or blend unsightly cables, wires, and monitors into your decor so the aesthetics of your home are never compromised.Can I purchase my own equipment?Not adviseable. With systems integration it’s important that the electronics manufacturer chosen for the project be properly integrated into the overall system. The products we offer are periodically reviewed and tested for complete system control compatibility.Will any of this technology interfere with the aesthetics of my home? We do everything possible to integrate our systems without compromising the aesthetic integrity of your home. We can accomplish this by utilizing dropped down TV’s, plasma TVs that are disguised as a gorgeous piece of framed art, we can hide speakers behind wallpaper or with paint or even make it look like a wall picture. There are many ways to”hide” innovative technology.Are your systems easy to operate?We understand that most of our clients are more interested in the benefits of innovative technology rather than the actual technology itself, so yes, we make it a point to design low-voltage electronic systems that are both state-of-the-art and simple to operate.Are your systems affordable to the average homeowner?The systems and services we provide are not only considered a luxury, but are home investments that can add substantial value to your home for resale purposes. HWA works with clients to develop and establish a realistic budget based on their individual lifestyles and what they deem to be “affordable”.Do you work closely with interior designers?HWA understands that any project is a team effort and as a result we collaboratively work with interior designers, architects, builders, contractors, and homeowners throughout the entire process to ensure we are all on the same page.Do you service what you install?Absolutely! With our 24-hour Red Carpet Customer Service we are never more than a phone call away – even on weekends!Do you offer product demonstrations?Yes. You can call us to schedule an appointment with one of our qualified system designers.What does flat panel mean?A term used to describe plasma and LCD-based products, thin or flat TVs.What is the difference between LCD technology and plasma?LCD technology traps a liquid-crystal solution between two sheets of glass that is stimulated by an electrical signal. Plasma uses a combination of electrical impulses and gases encased in cell structures to form a picture.What is Blu-ray technology?One of two major High Definition DVD formats that are vying to replace the current DVD standard.Where are Plasmas best suited for?Low-light conditions where the room can be darkened for optimum viewing.Which is better: LCD or Plasma?It’s relative to each individual. There are a ton of characteristics to consider for each.How many forms of digital TV are there?Standard-definition TV (SDTV), Enhanced-definition TV (EDTV) and High-definition TV (HDTV).What is the most popular of the three forms of digital TV?High-definition TV (HDTV).What is the difference between SDTV, EDTV, and HDTV? The resolution quality is what distinguishes them. Standard-definition TV (SDTV) displays up to 480 lines of reoslution. The enhanced-definition TV (EDTV) displays up to 720 lines of resolution and high-definition TV (HDTV) begins at 720.With HDTV there are 3 different formats available, what are they?720p, 1080i and 1080pWhat is the difference between the 1080i and the 1080p?The “i” and the “p” designates how the image is displayed on your screen. The “i” designation is interlaced, meaning every other line is scanned at a time whereas the “p” designation stands for progressive scanning which means the entire image is quickly scanned on your television similar to the way an image is scanned on a computer screen.Do I need an HDTV?No, but it is strongly recommended as all TV will become digital in 2009 and TV stations will be required to broadcast their signal in digital format as opposed to analog.Why are HDTVs rectangular in shape as opposed to the square shape we are accustomed to?Because all HDTV is shot in widescreen format.What does HDMI stand for and what is it?High-definition multimedia interface is a somewhat new audio/video connection that has the ability to carry both audio and video (digitally) in one convenient cable as opposed to having a bunch of wires and cables just to have surround sound and video.What is a Surround Sound System?An audio system setup usually consisting of five speakers and a subwoofer designed to envelop you in sounds from movies, TV shows and music.SECURITY & SAFETY TIPSHome Security Tips:Securing your home with the help of a monitoring service is ideal. However, you can still take matters into your own hands. Here are a few ideas on how you can further keep your home and your family safe.- Invest in quality locks: Always make sure your doors and windows have good, working locks. And remember to lock them even when you are in your home. Be sure to keep your garage door closed as well. - Extra security: If you have sliding doors that lead outside, consider using a piece of wood or broom handle in the sliding track to prevent the door from opening. - No peeking: As an added security measure, keep your blinds and/or curtains closed to the street.- Unexpected visitors: You don't have to answer the door just because someone rings the bell. If you're not expecting a delivery or any guests, be cautious when answering the door. Consider having a peephole installed, so you can safely see out without opening the door.- Extra keys: It's never a good idea to risk leaving an extra key or garage door opener in a mailbox, under a doormat, etc. Instead, talk to a neighbor or close friend about keeping an extra key for you. House Safety Vacation TipsKeep your house safe while you’re on vacation! These helpful house safety tips offered by HWA home security experts will help you make certain that you are taking all the necessary steps to ensure that you home remains safe and secure while you’re away.• If you will be gone for an extended period of time, officially stop your mail with the post office. If you’re only going away for a few days, have a neighbor collect your mail and/or newspaper for you.• Let a trusted neighbor know when you are leaving and how long you will be gone so they can keep an eye on your house for you. Leave this neighbor with your contact information as well, in case on an emergency.• Leave your lights on a timer, to give the illusion at night that someone is home.• Ensure that all doors and windows are securely locked, and that your home alarm system is armed.• Never advertise the fact that you will be gone, especially on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.• Arrange for a neighbor or close friend to mow your lawn or shovel your driveway if you will be away for a longer period of time.• Make certain that your pets are taken care of!Essential Fire Safety Tips:Fire prevention is the key to home fire safety. Here’s a list of quick, easily implemented fire safety tips and prevention measures from the experts here at HWA to help you ensure that your family is safe and protected from harm at all times. Please feel free to share it with everyone! • Install smoke detectors. Every floor of your home should have an installed smoke detector, including inside and outside of each bedroom/sleeping area. It’s extremely important to test your smoke detectors regularly and change out the batteries in each detector AT LEAST once a year.• Kitchen safety. Never leave your pots and pans on the hot stove unattended. Try to have a working fire extinguisher in your kitchen and other areas where you might have an open flame, like near a fireplace or backyard barbeque grill.• On your way out. Before leaving home (even if it’s just for a few minutes) be sure to turn off and/or unplug appliances like coffee makers, curling irons, toasters and clothes irons. It’s also important that you not leave candles unattended, so remember to blow them out!• Eliminate potential hazards. You can start by clearing out any dead trees or shrubbery from your property. Yes, this includes leaves. Your firewood pile could also pose a danger if it sits against your house. Simply move your woodpile a safe distance out into your yard.• Electrical Wiring. If you experience any problems, or suspect any issues with the electrical wiring in your home, have an experienced electrician come and conduct an inspection immediately. • Plan an escape. In the best interest of your family, have everyone practice how to get out of the house in the event of a fire. Be sure to designate a meeting place outside the home, so you’ll all know when everyone is out safely.• Make a fire safety checklist. Sit down with your family, and make a checklist of fire prevention and safety measures, including ways to prevent fires at home, as well as the steps to take should an actual fire occur. Post this checklist on the refrigerator, bulletin board, or other highly visible area for quick and easy access at all times.Child Safety Tips: As a parent, you never stop worrying about your kids. Whether they’re old enough to stay home alone or not, kids of all ages will find ways to get themselves into trouble. It’s important to talk to your kids about being safe and making smart decisions. To get you started, we’ve created list of child home safety tips.• Never leave young children unattended for any length of time• Keep cleaning supplies, poisons, alcohol and other toxic agents locked up and out of reach• If you leave older children home alone, be sure they understand the importance of keeping the doors and windows locked at all times. And tell them to never answer the door for anyone other than a trusted friend or family member.• Never allow your kids to operate the oven, stove, washing machine or other appliance without your supervision• Never allow young children to shower or bathe unless you or another adult can assist them if needed• Make sure a list of emergency contact numbers is clearly postedChild Safety Online:Before allowing your kids to use the Internet:• Talk to them about the right and wrong ways to use it• Keep your family computer in a common room, like the kitchen or living room• Install parental controls to prevent access to inappropriate material• Be aware of the websites your kids are visiting Make sure your kids know: • ALWAYS ask your permission prior to accessing the Internet• Never chat with strangers or give out personal information, even if that person claims to be a friend• Always tell you when someone asks for personal information, like name, age, address or phone numberBack to School Safety:Back to school safety, and being safe at school in general, is something that parents should discuss with their children on a regular basis. According to the National Safe Kids Campaign, nearly 2.2 million kids ages 14 and younger will be injured in some kind of school related accident this year alone. Many of these accidents, however, can be prevented—and it starts at home! Use these important back to school safety tips, including school bus safety tips, from the safety experts here at HWA to help your kids be prepared with the knowledge to make the right decisions and keep themselves safe while at school, as well as while commuting to and from school. Kids Safety Tips for School: • If walking to school, take only a pre-planned route. If possible, walk with friends, and not alone. • Obey all traffic laws and signals, and cross the street only where there are marked crosswalks, and ideally a crossing guard.• Stay out of the street while waiting for the bus. Once the bus arrives, quickly board and take a seat. • Never stop or bend down in front of a school bus, where driver visibility is limited. • Never accept a ride to school, or leave from school with a stranger, even if he/she claims to be a family friend.• Always obey all school/classroom rules• Never leave a classroom without a teacher’s permission• Never leave school grounds without a teacher or other trusted adult present• Notify a teacher immediately of any suspicious behavior on or around school grounds• Come directly home after school, unless a parent makes other arrangements of gives permission to do otherwise Poison Prevention Tips According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 82 people in the United States die every day as the result of unintentional poisoning. Another 1,941 people are treated for severe poisoning in emergency rooms across the country. Any person of any age is susceptible to accidental poisoning. Taking the following precautions will help to significantly reduce the risk of unintentional poisoning in your home.Poison Prevention Tips: • Keep all cleaning supplies, medications, alcohol, and other toxic chemical agents locked away and out of the reach of children.• When taking any medication, whether it’s prescription of over-the-counter, carefully follow the directions printed on the label. Never take more than the recommended dosage. • When taking prescription medication, follow your doctor’s orders and take only the prescribed amount. • Always keep medications in their original, properly marked bottles.• Never share a prescription medication.• Never store toxic chemicals in unmarked bottles.• Wear protective clothing and ensure proper ventilation when using pesticides, cleaning agents and other potentially harmful substances. • Never leave medications and other toxic materials just sitting out. Travel Safety Tips Whether for business or for pleasure, millions of people travel across the country and around the world each and every day. Regardless of where you are going, taking a few precautions and following these simple travel safety tips will help to ensure that your trip is fun, safe, and successful!• Always make certain that someone not going on the trip knows where you are going to be at any given time in the event of an emergency.• Leave your contact information with a family member or close friend.• Make certain that you have all proper identification, including your passport if traveling internationally.• If flying, give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and through security.• If traveling by car, have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic before your trip to ensure that it is safe for travel.• Properly secure luggage inside, or on top of your vehicle.• Never leave your luggage unattended.• Pre-plan your route to ensure that you have proper directions.• Have a cell phone handy at all times in case of an emergency.• Always wear your seatbelt!• Confirm all hotel reservations before you leave.• If traveling abroad, make sure you are up-to-date on all vaccinations.• When planning your trip, familiarize yourself with your destination(s) so you have an idea what to expect before you arrive.• Check the weather report to ensure you pack the proper clothing/outerwear.• Make certain that you bring all necessary medications with you.• Leave your valuables at home
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HW Automation
2415 Stirling Road Suite B
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33321
Ph (954) 322-0136
Fax (954) 322-0137
info_hwautomation.com
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