The latest smart home automation allows you to turn on the entrance lights, heat and music before you even pull into the driveway. Once the stuff of science fiction, this smart home technology can now control the interior climate and send you a text message if your teenager misses curfew.

The systems certainly have an undeniable cool factor, an extraordinary range of applications and the added benefit of increasing home security devices while reducing costs. They are also super convenient and flexible thanks to their integration of home automation and entertainment functions. One feature in new systems is a "good-night switch" which you activate at bedtime. This single switch shuts off or dims all the lights in the home, turns off televisions and other entertainment systems, ensures the garage door is closed and locked and arms the security system.