How To Network Your Home (NAPSA)—Imaginethe following scenario: driving home from a hard day’s work you decide you need to relax. You pull over, open your cell phone and select “entertainment” from its options. Immediately, the lights in your house dim, the shades close and the piano begins playing in concert with the CD player. A few minutes later you walk in the door to a relaxing atmosphere. Such things are possible today through technology called home networking and it has become one of the most popular trends in home building and renovation. In fact, statistics show more than 80 percent of American homeowners want to network their homes. As a result, builders, architects and designers now workclosely with certified custom electronic installers to design these systems into new and renovated homes. If you plan to join the home technology revolution, experts recommend you contract with certified professionals before starting your project. That can help you be sure the job is done right the first time and that the people you contract with are well-trained and trustworthy. Groups such as the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) provide builders, architects and designers with special programs and education to get them up to speed on the networking industry. That helps them effectively work with certified technicians to build the best networks. CEDIA also provides ongoing education for professionals of all experience levels, ranging from beginning to experiencedinstallers. Instructors are industry leaders and instruction includes hands-on A newtraining center certifies custom electronic installers who network people’s homes. experience and classroom lessons. Because home-network technology is constantly changing, the Association views continuous education as an important part of the industry. The group offers a certification program which requires candidates to pass two sequences, each of which has two tests. The goals of the program are to establish new benchmarks for knowledge, professionalism and performance within the field, as well as to enhance the development of the custom-electronics workforce. Recently, CEDIA built a new training center to help it achieve its goals. It will be used to help educate hundreds of custom electronics installers. It’s thought the school could help boost the skill level within the industry even further—and that may be good news for homeownersacross the country. Consumerscan visit the group’s Website (www.cedia.org) or call 1800-669-5329 for a list of certified installers in the area and worldwide. In addition, the site has tips on hiring custom installers and networking homes, as well asarticles from industry professionals on subjects ranging from lighting considerations to surround sound.
