Home Automation
Technology
Made Simple
Too often we hear from people with homes or businesses full of technology that is not used because its just too complicated. Security cameras that can’t be viewed, speakers that never worked, electric blinds with no remote, too many light switches, alarms that go off for no obvious reason or 5 different remotes to operate the TV.
The reality is that technology is often not cheap and you want it to simplify your life, but often once its installed the electrician or technician leaves you confused and regretting the spend.
As Mid Canterbury’s only home and business automation specialists our certified technicians understand all these systems, can bring them all together into a simple interface and make them work together for you. We have installed hundreds of systems throughout the South Island, many of them going on to win smart home awards.
Smart Homes
An automated home or smart home often means that all the electrical systems are connected together so they can all be controlled by a single interface such as an app or touch screen. Other interfaces such as keypads, sensors or voice control may also be involved.
Automation also enables different electrical systems to work together. For example when a heatpump turns on, windows could automatically close.
Below are examples of devices in a smart home that are commonly automated.
TVs, Sound Systems, Home Theaters, Blinds, Electric Windows, Lights, Security Alarms, Surveillance Cameras, Gates, Garage Doors, Gas Fires, Heatpumps, Underfloor Heating, Extraction Fans, Louvers, Doorbells, Door Locks, Towel Rails, Irrigation
Lighting Control
Many homes and businesses have beautiful lighting systems with LED strips, dimmable fixtures, shadow patterns and sometimes color changing fittings. Often when there are numerous fittings in a single area the electrician will install a large bank of switches and dimmers – likely not indicating what each switch does.
Our lighting solutions replace banks of switches with simple keypads that present pre-programmed scenes. In a home, common scenes may be cooking, dining, evening, TV viewing and party/entertaining.
In a business there are often scenes for the day time, evenings and the cleaners – each providing the optimum amount of lighting and effect to suit the rooms use.
One Remote
TV and speaker systems do not have to be difficult to operate. We all know the stories of exciting new home theater systems with multiple remotes but no indication of what they each do then when the big game is about to start nobody can get picture on the screen!
Our remote solutions allow you to have full control with just one simple to use remote.
Clean Walls
Architectural buildings shouldn’t be ruined with banks of switches and controllers littering walls. Often not even in clean lines or matching colours!
To avoid having technology clutter the walls (sometimes known as ‘wall acne’) we use automation, along with keypads or touch screens to have all the control in one tidy interface.
Halls and Venues
Audio and video systems in halls can be very difficult to operate, even for experienced operators. With our automation solutions we help schools, community groups and venues to provide great AV systems that are simple to use.
Often, we will install a single button or keypad to control the entire system. Projectors, microphones, speakers and TV’s automatically turn on with one press, ready for an event. Volumes are automatically managed without anyone needing to keep their finger on the controls.
Meeting Rooms
Our automation solutions can be built to simplify board rooms and meeting spaces. Imagine pressing one button to lower blinds, turn on the projector and connect the video and audio from your laptop to the room.
Avoid wasting time setting up your meetings, instead impress your clients with a smart room solution.
Examples of Automation
A single ‘goodnight’ button turns off all lighting in the living areas, brings down the blinds, turns off outdoor heaters, shuts down the TVs and notifies you that a window was left open.
When your front door unlocks the security alarm automatically disarms and notify’s your phone that the house is now disarmed.
Light fittings automatically adjust their colour temperature and level throughout the day assisting your body’s circadian rhythm and sleeping patterns.
When watching a movie the audio system is set to surround sound mode but after changing to the news the rear speakers are used to play the presenters voice rather than background effects.
Room temperature is automatically managed to achieve 21 degrees year round while saving energy by opening windows and running fans to naturally ventilate then switching on air conditioners when outdoor temperatures drop lower.
Lights and TV’s and switched on while you are on holiday at times you would usually do so. Potential intruders are tricked into thinking someone is still home.
When a movie is paused the path to the bathroom is lit up automatically by the hallway and bathroom lights ramping on to a low level.
Towel rails, water heaters, fans and under tile heating are automatically controlled throughout the day then switched off when you are away from home for extended periods of time to save energy usage.
A ‘Fine Lion’ of control in NZ
At The Fine Lion restaurant and bar in Ashburton, New Zealand, guests are treated to a luxurious, upscale atmosphere that features imported mosaic tiles, brass detailing, lush greenery and contrasting color schemes. It’s what they don’t see, however, that sets the eatery apart from its competition and makes daily operations simpler for staff.
With the help of ElectraServe, the restaurant installed a Control4 system that consolidates control for lighting, security, heating, cooling, window shades, TVs and audio zones into a single interface that’s accessed through Control4 touch panels or the Control4 mobile app.
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What our clients say about us…
What a pleasure it was to have your Installers. They did a great job and worked so professionally and cooperatively as a team. We all enjoyed positive conversation and managed to work around each other. The advice offered by Andrew about the placement of the heat pump was much appreciated and the big kitchen, dining and living room warmed up very quickly after they left at 5pm. Everything was left very clean and tidy. Thank you also for you continued excellent service you have provided me with since 1997.
Kate Syme – Heat Pump Install
For the Murney Main Building and the Fine Lion Restaurant we required a system that was easy to use for multiple employees that controlled several facets of the building. Importantly the end result needed to have a clean look that suited the décor. To achieve this, Blair & James from ElectraServe recommend Control4 & its partner products as it is easy for the end users to control all of the lighting, heating, A/V, blinds and louvers from one device hidden from customers. Using Control4 partner brand speakers with copper clad and painted finished to blend into surroundings as well as hiding all the switches gave us the clean look we requested.
Willie Murney – Murney Trust
RM Designs brief for The Fine Lion was to create a bar and restaurant with high end finishes and meticulous detailing. ElectraServe came to us with the idea of automating the various functions within The Fine Lion during the design phase of the work which we eagerly jumped on board with. The automation of lighting, AV, window treatments and exterior louvres meant that we did not have to have numerous wall mounted switches or remote controls. Not only did this allow us to keep the walls clear of visual clutter, it also streamlined the operation of the venue for the staff working there. Furthermore, ElectraServe went above and beyond in terms of finishing visible elements such a speaker grilles. Speakers were either custom wet sprayed or bespoke manufactured in copper in order to blend in with the architecture.
Laura Hedwig – Creative Lead | RM Designs
We had an incident recently when we had to call on ElectraServe late in the day for an urgent check and Callum came to the rescue without complaint. It was so appreciated.
Jo Broadfoot | On behalf of Community Properties Ashburton
We have been super impressed with ElectraServe staff that worked on our house. Andrew, James, Hamish and everyone that has been involved have been amazing and a pleasure to deal with – you have a great team! It was great to get everything installed over the last week or so and especially appreciate them finding time prior to Christmas to remove switches etc so the house could be repainted at the start of January. Andrew & James just made the whole process so easy to work through.
Ally & Mike
I had two young men come to my house to install a heat pump and they were totally amazing! They introduced themselves when they arrived, took their boots off to come inside and were just generally fantastic. When they had finished I was shown how the heat pump worked and how to clean it. They answered my questions and then made sure I was happy before leaving. Thank you!!
Fiona Maginness – Heat Pump Install
Excellent service. Made sure the task was finished & left a direct contact if it failed if it failed to meet our requirements. could not have asked for more.
Brian Wilson
I would highly recommend them. Best service and excellent people. Great to get along with.
Faye & Raymond Blackburn
The team at ElectraServe give great advice & service. They are a pleasure to do business with. We had issues with an awning not working, and many other issues over the years and they have fixed everything for us with efficiency and reasonably priced.
Di Murphy
ElectraServe, especially Kieran, have been wonderful support to our irrigation company since inception. They have been very professional and have charged appropriately.
John Morrison
They really are awesome, very polite on time & get the job done
Darcelle De Har
Great service quick and efficient will use again
Jane Tipene
Great and helpful customer service, and fast, thanks
Kirsty Harris
Great fast and efficient service thank you
Natasha Fowler
A job well done by very competent people. A pleasure to have working and helping me
Barbara Banwell
Great service and friendly team. Awesome quality of work too. Very happy thanks
Simon Wills
Excellent service, very responsive
Roger Rennie
Great service and communication as always, top service technicians
Paul Rowland
Awesome service from the lady who answered my query to the serviceman, thanks
Rosalie Fine
I found your service very efficient, and I was happy with your staff
Dianne Smith
Excellent same day service, have a few more jobs coming up shortly
Cliff Downes
Top service, friendly, professional, very happy
Gavin Hickey
Very quick service and efficient friendly staff when onsite. Office staff were great too when they found i was a serious cancer patent they moved me up the list so it happened the same day really appreciated that working with a company that’s got a social conscience 5 stars.
Robin Johnstone
Accommodating and timely service. Helped me greatly by organising the job as I’m out of town. Will definitely use these guys again.
Dion Young
The service was prompt and efficient. Everything is working well.
John & Jeanette Dowling
On time, great job and friendly will definitely use ElectraServe again
Shane Webster
Great people to have in your home very friendly and they did a great job
Pauline Mills
Expert service at a reasonable price (even with an apprentice and mentor tho the apprentice knew his stuff too!)
Jan Church
Great job done with little time to do as we were moving house. Very good service and friendly staff in office and on the ground
Don Harborne
Highly recommend ElectraServe, Blair, Allanah and the team work well and get the jobs done!
Belinda Pearce
Great service, friendly professional staff who did a great job
Debra Craig
Outstanding customer service, reasonably priced, quick and understanding. Thank you for fixing/servicing my nail guns
Bruce Morton
This is a company you can rely on. The staff is very friendly and they are outstanding. They are honest and people you can trust. The field technician is friendly and easy to communicate. They have a positive can do attitude on any work given to them and guaranteed will solve your problem
Daniel Van Der Berg
Top service reasonable charges friendly staff recommend
Wayne Ferguson
Fantastic couldn’t fault. Technician was very professional and explained everything. Very Polite
Greg Davidson
Great service. And was an extremely good job
Karl Perriton
Friendly polite staff highly recommend this company
Darren Robinson
Prompt, efficient, friendly service
Joanne Ford
I can’t thank ElectraServe enough for professionalism and quality and their amazing service particularly Hamish who has always gone out of his way to get things sorted for me.
Russell Anstiss
We had a great experience from the design to completion. Fantastic team to work with and to have onsite.
Craige Mackenzie
A great team and very professional. Excellent value for money and very responsive when it comes to electrical faults. Cannot fault their workmanship it is to a very high standard.
Craig Liquorish
Always great service at ElectraServe, helpful friendly team that will get you up and running again on your farm. From small jobs in house to the bigger jobs out on farm, ElectraServe will see you right.
Ricky Watson
I have always chosen ElectraServe, as they are super friendly and efficient. I especially like it when they have fixed something. They will always clean up after themselves
Melanie King
Ashburton’s biggest fleet of electricians servicing all of Mid Canterbury
From repairs to your iron to new home and dairy shed wiring, you can rely on ElectraServe and their workmanship – guaranteed!