Would you like to take advantage of the latest lighting control conveniences, shade automation elegance, and energy management advancements without making holes in your walls and disrupting your life?

That’s where ACS and Lutron’s Wireless QS system comes in!  Lutron QS is a wireless, energy-saving lighting control, automated window treatment, and HVAC home control system that gives you the ability to tailor the environment throughout your entire home from simple intuitive devices.

Because QS utilizes Lutron’s patented Clear Connect® RF wireless technology, the system installs easily into existing homes without running any new wires removing the need to make “Swiss cheese” of your walls. It’s perfect for retrofit projects as well as new construction homes.

Standard switches and dimmers are replaced with “smart” lighting controls, old pull cord shades are replaced with battery powered shades, and all without running a single wire. Your new smart devices “talk” to each other to work in perfect combination. Lutron QS is also scalable, meaning you can start with a single room or a few rooms, and expand the system to cover your entire home when you’re ready.

With Wireless QS, you can:

The big buzz in consumer electronics is the new 4K, the common name for the Ultra HD TV format. So what is 4K, exactly, and how do you know when the time is right to get it for your home?

The basics

4K represents the next giant leap in image resolution. How big a leap? 4K creates images composed of nearly 8.3 million pixels, compared to about 2 million in a 1080p image, the full HD resolution produced by Blu-ray®. In other words, FOUR TIMES the resolution of the TVs that you’re likely watching now. These pixels are usually arranged in a 3,840 x 2,160 configuration, compared with the 1,920 x 1,080 for full HD TV, also known as “1080p.”

Is 4K different from Ultra HD?

Though not the same, the two terms have become interchangeable, thereby creating some confusion. “4K” is the most commonly used term. However, some consumer electronics manufacturers prefer “Ultra HD” because it distinguishes between the 3,840 x 2,160 resolution inherent to 16:9 ratio TVs and the 4,096 x 2,160 resolution most commonly used in digital cinemas. For our purposes, we’ll refer to it as 4K.

Where should I have 4K in my home?

4K is ideal in the largest entertainment rooms in your home, such as a great room, family room, or, of course, a home theater. Your kids will be blown away by the immersive gaming experience with 4K. You don’t need 4K everywhere. Full HD is still perfectly fine for secondary rooms, such as bedrooms. If it’s your vacation home (perhaps in the Hamptons or Florida) consider how often you’re there and which room is used the most.

What about 4K content? Is there anything to watch?

Until recently, the answer was “not much.” But that’s rapidly changing. Online services are leading the charge. Netflix® already offers several TV series, including Breaking Bad and House of Cards, through their subscription on-demand service, and they’ve announced plans to produce more original 4K content starting this year. YouTube®, Hulu®, and Amazon® have likewise announced their plans to produce more original shows in 4K. 

There’s more. Within the next 18 months, Kaleidescape®, the leading manufacturer of movie servers for the home, plans to release a 4K player and provide access to 4K titles from major movie studios via digital downloads, and then streaming and discs. Sony® is also committed to 4K. They recently launched their Video Unlimited 4K download service, with access to an expanding library of 4K feature films and TV shows. And they’re shipping a 4K Blu-ray Disc™ Player that performs 4K upscaling of DVDs and Blu-ray Discs.

If you are getting ready to construct a new home, putting in major renovations, or creating an addition, NOW is the time to partner with ACS to assist in the design of a centralized lighting control system from Lutron. Why? Besides having complete flexibility with switching, dimming, energy management and shade control in one system, consider this…

Aesthetics- ACS can work with you, your architect or interior designer to minimize clutter on your walls with a well-designed Lutron centralized lighting system. Instead of wiring local switches for each different zone of light in a room which results in an unsightly bank of switches and dimmers, you can have a single, elegant keypad that comes in a variety of finishes to match your décor.

Flexibility- You have the ability to control any one light, shade, and temperature zone from any single button on a keypad, touch screen or smart device. You maximize convenience and can accommodate a multitude of lifestyle applications for you and your family. When your needs or preferences change it’s easy to make adjustments to your settings.

Scalability – Centralized lighting systems offer maximum scalability. Everything from a Manhattan apartment to a sprawling Beverly Hills estate can be accommodated. Get ACS involved during the design phase of your large residence to collaborate with architects, designers and general contractors and ensure appropriate wiring infrastructures is implemented.

Reliability – ACS works with Lutron because their design, quality control and performance are unsurpassed in the industry. Wireless lighting control has proven to be effective, yet nothing can replace the tried and true results of a centralized system using dimming panels hard wired to local keypads via low voltage. In an emergency, multiple redundant systems further ensure uninterrupted operation.

Is there any part of the home you can’t make “smart?” More and more homes (and apartments and resorts, etc.) are being constructed with advanced technologies built in. Viking ranges and Sub-Zero refrigerators are being delivered with WiFi, apps and touchscreens. Whether designing a new home, remodeling or a retrofit application ACS has solutions for introducing basic home automation. A great place to start is with something you interact with everyday… window shades!

Controlled window shades are convenient and cool to have, but are there any other benefits? Glad you asked! There are actually several reasons why programmed, responsive window treatments are both a great investment and a “smart” decision for your property and family.

Stop the Sun Damage

Many of the items in your home (such as art, photographs, upholstery, rugs, and more) contain dyes and inks that will fade when exposed to too much sunlight. One of our New York clients was shocked when redecorating and saw the discoloration on her living room wood floors and realized what kind of damage must have also been done to her Stark rug and heirloom Matisse. Controlled shades can be programmed to prevent the harshest direct light from damaging your valuables, and can even be scheduled to alter the operations due to Daylight Savings and seasonal changes. ACS shading system designer, Cody Derby, has found that since you’re putting some kind of treatments on your windows anyway it’s an easy next step to automate them. Otherwise they usually stay raised when you’re not home and UV damage occurs.

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