Check out Insteon devices at www.smarthome.com. Insteon uses both wireless and over existing wire wire signaling to control dimmers and other devices remotely. I have over 40 of these devices in my home.

We have an open floor plan with multiple entrance/exit paths to many of the rooms. Controlling lights from every path using 3 or 4 way switching would have been costly. Instead, we had the electricians put a 3 or 4 gang box with all switches in one location, and next to that I had them install a single gang box with an outlet.

I removed the switches they installed and replaced them with Insteon dimmer switches. I removed the outlet and installed an Insteon Keypad. At the other room locations I had the electricans install outlets (at switch height) which I replaced with Keypad Link's as well.

The keypad links have either 6 or 8 buttons, and each button can be programmed for a different scene using Smarthome Houselink software (costs about $60). So we use the scene buttons to turn lights on and off rather than the dimmer switches (although you can still operate those switches as regular dimmers too).

The Insteon system requires some basic knowledge of wiring and computers to make it work. I like it because it is realtively inexpenive, can be added into your existing wiring system over time, and I can install and maintain it myself. It is not as flexible as higher end automation systems - but if all you need is basic light scene controls - it works great.

If you do a google search on "Insteon Forums" you will find a great resource for posting questions on how Insteon works. There are a few tricks that can make it more reliable and inprove the look and fell of the controllers - I would suggest posting your questions over there if you pursue this route.

Bottom line - it's not too late to add automation to your home and there are some very affordable options.

Thank you, sniffdog -- will research Insteon asap. It's frustrating because I fear that we've already spent the costly amounts to have them wire all those switches to 2 or 3 entrances per room (open plan, like yours). They have put in Lutron Maestro dinners -- also pricey. Is there a Lutron route similar to Insteon (so that I might be able to exchange all the dimmers the electrician has already purchased and installed)?

Can't you do, say, a 3 gang over a 3 gang set up so you don't have all six switches in a row? Or ask them to install double switches that will fit in a single box space adn are shaped for an outlet cover. You could put less-used switches for those circuits.

There are dozens of choices of how to reduce wall clutter. The best solution for you depends on budget, level of help needed (DIY or pro), cosmetics desired, etc. Radio RA is a high quality product towards the nicer end of the scale. Its limits are in the numbers of keypads and dimmers you can have in a single system. Two systems can be coupled if needed but that is not as nice a solution as moving up to HomeWorks. Lutron HomeWorks is a pro only system while Radio RA can be either.

By your question and how far along the job is I'm concerned that you don't have enough time to explore the options, make an informed decision and get the problem solved before the home is ready to insulate & drywall.

Because the problem involves more than one room you are probably looking at a whole house lighting control solution. If you can break the switching problem up into individual rooms you might look at Lightolier Multiset Pro. That product may work out well to make use of some of the 3way wiring while allowing you to eliminate some of the 3 and 4ways with keypads and use smaller boxes. To me the devices are of higher quality than any powerline carrier stuff like Insteon and UPB yet cheaper than Radio RA.

starfish

it may be too late to exhange those dimmers once they are in the wall. Lutron does have some wireless control but when I last looked it seemed limited in what it can do (but this was a few years ago).

If they have already hardwired the 3 and 4 way switches in all the rooms then I am not sure how you can reduce the wall clutter. You centainly could add scene contols to remotely set up the room lighting with the press of 1 button using wireless systems (noted in the previous posts) and that would make things much easier for you.

I suggest leaving the wiring as is and waiting until you move and start using your new home. You will quickly find out that in some rooms, the hardwired contols work fine. But in a few rooms (thiose that you use often) - there will be a need for some automation. Once you know exactly what functions you want - then buy a system that will provide what you need. It could be that you only need a little bit of automation and that can make the world of difference.

Thanks again. Dimmers are not yet in the wall, though hard-wiring is in. We've found a couple of switches that can pretty easily be moved to other locations, so now we're looking at just a 4-gang in a prominent location. I'm looking at Insteon and the Lightolier systems. Do you all just buy these things online? I am an amateur but would like to learn how to do some of this myself.

You can buy the Insteon products at www.smarthome.com. Click on the products and they have links to data sheets which provide info on how to hook them up. Also - look at the HouseLink software user manual - that has a great description of how Insteon works and provides insight into how to program it.

The trick to Insteon is to realize that it uses both your house wires and wireless to provide communication paths between the devices. Since your electrical service has 2 phases (+120 volts and -120 volts), Insteon devices that are installed on opposite phases need a bridge to make sure the commands get through over the wires. The Insteon Access Point (part 2443P) provides this function. You just plug one into any outlet on the +120 phase and the other into any outlet on the -120 Phase, push a sync button on one of them, and it provides the bridge.

The Insteon contollers (2486) come in 6 or 8 button models. Out of the box - the 6 button model operates as both light dimmer switch and controller. The top button turns on a load connected to the switch, the bottom button turns the load off. The 4 middle buttons can be programmed to do anything you want. In this way, you can easily insert an Insteon controller into your existing wiring. The 8 button contoller is essentially the same thing as the 6 button contoller - except the faceplate has 8 buttons (you can convert a 6 button to an 8 button contoller and vice versa).

Make sure you understand and follow the instructions for the wattage ratings of these devices. The normal Insteon dimmers are rated to 600 watts BUT if you have a bunch of them in a multi-gang box you must derate them. Insteon also sells 1000 watt dimmers that have extra aluminum tabs to dump the heat generated by the dimmer.

You will need the Houselink software to set up the network. Do read that manual cover to cover since it is essential to figuring out how the software works. It is only 30 or so pages - very easy read.

I also recommend subscribing to the Insteon Forum on line. There are a whole bunch of tricks on how to make the system work better - and there are some experts on there who can help guide you through the install. One of the biggest complaints I have read about Insteon are the stupid buttons and creating your own persoanlized lables for them - do a sreach on there for tricks to save you money and grief. Insteon sells custom buttons that you can order with each contoller BUT the cost is ridiculous (something like $7 PER BUTTON). I made my own button labels using MS Word and a good laser printer.

I suggest starting out slow - just pick one room and work with the system. Once you figure that one room out, you can add to the Insteon network very easily if you like it.

Best of luck.

FYI, Smarthome now has a hardwired phase bridge (linked below), so you don't have to do the "plug in two radio bridges" arrangement anymore.

Here is a link that might be useful: SignaLinc Phase Coupler