Hello

I'm considering purchasing a Lutron Homeworks system and would be very keen to understand the capabilities an end user has to "program" scenes and so on.

Once the system has been setup by the installer are you able to do things yourself such as:-

1. Change the pre-set dimming levels of individual circuits in a scene.
2. Add or remove circuits from a scene.
3. Activate automated lighting when going away on holiday for example.

Any other general comments regarding what you can do vs what the specialist installer has to do would be much appreciated.

Thanks

Peter

[neilball]

The Homeworks software is only available to trained installers, Lutron do not make this available to end users. It still seems that Lutron do not see the need for a "user" package to allow the scenes to be reprogrammed etc, so your only option is to use your installer to make the necessary modifications. As long as you are installing the new processors and have a fixed IP then this can all be done over the net so does not need the engineer to be onsite to make the changes.

Regarding point 3 (vacation mode) it is normally operated automatically by a volt-free contact from the security alarm so does not need to be invoked from a software setting. If your alarm does not have the necessary outputs then you could use a keypad by the main door or even a simple switch.

HTH

[vex]

Rako can do all of that with out the need for a central pc or the cost.

www.rakocontrols.co.uk fyi

Thanks for the info. I do find it a little odd that Lutron considering programming to be too difficult or too "dangerous" for a user to do. Having seen some screen shots of the application I just can't believe its that difficult to change the pre-set levels or add circuits to scenes.

Has anyone had any luck in trying to get the software from either their installer or Lutron direct ?

Thanks

Peter

I know this thread is old, but thought I'd post some thoughts for anyone considering homeworks in the uK, having just gone through installation.

1. do not rely on the Lutron site for information on what service and back-up you get - I assumed what I read on the lutron website was accurate for the UK market, having accessed the UK web site to see what the full product offering was. So I did not tie down the after sales care with the installer, it seemed clearly explained on the web, and looked a sound proposition. The site I'm told refers principally to the service offered in the US, I am told and is not the standard support offered in the UK. So if you are considering installation, make sure you get clear on how the product will be supported after installation. Your question was on programming - on the main Lutron site, and indeed on the various blogs I read, minor programming changes are indicated as part of after sales care provided for in the initial purchase - so imagine my surprise at being charged @£750 a day by the installer for some minor tweaks (and I do mean minor) as we attempt to get the initial set up right (that is, I've had the two standard days, it needs tweaks, but that is what I'm told it will cost me, even with the remote access set up and working). The two days programming for the initial install was not really what I as someone who can afford such a system would call a day - pitch up at 10-30am, gone by 2pm without checking all was ok, so not surprising it needs some TLC.

2. make sure you get an explanation of the vagaries of the lights used. I have been left without lights outside for days on end, where the external sodium lights were accidentally switched off and back on (most of us have children...), tripping the system, and the dealer failed to return calls to allow me to reset the outside lights.

3. The functionality appears great, but you appear to get little of it in the price you pay - everything is extra, though you assume when paying £20,000+ for an integrated system that advertises links to security systems etc that you are paying for the functionality advertised. My approved dealer claims it is not, even though all this was discussed at the outset, and was a selling point to me.

4. The engraving is free, but you have to known what you want each buttons to do and name them before you install, before you can go in the room and try settings and combinations out, otherwise you pay for new face plates, or do without lights for the weeks and weeks it takes to engrave.

And the cost - you appear to pay in £ at 2-1 the $ price, that is US$1 = £2, not the rate you might see advertised at Travelex of $2 to £1.

Any Lutron dealers out there prepared to tell me I've been had and offer advice as to what I should expect, or is this how it is? Anyone at Lutron want to step in and make a customer happy, who has paid a huge sum to have his wife lecture him about the merits of a simple switch?

Lutron Homeworks is a very good system. I had it installed by their representatives which working with has been terrible. The first one went out of business before completeing the system The second Lutron representative had trouble with any muliple switched circuits plus other items that can be done with their system
The software is well done and is not very difficult to program with. In fact simplier than using programs like EXcel.
In my opinion, Lutron has a good system but does not have good representatives suporting them and will likely loose the business to first company that supplies as good a product but is more Customer oriented.

BoydT

[Etha]

I've dealt with Lutron and there products are excellent, but I have not had a a great experience with their professional staff. I would recommend iLight, who virtually have the same products and provide excellent support.

Kevin

[Bruce_]

Most "homeworks" customers would prefer to just get someone else to do any programming changes, and not even blink at £750 per day.

The fact is that homeworks is capable of complex functions. Lutron and their dealers will not want end-users to be able to just go in and mess up the programming. It causes too many "it doesn't work, get here and fix it" complaints. But I'm sure there are many who could/would take on the responsibility of using the software. It's just not Lutron's policy to do so.

If you want the same functionality for less money AND be able to program it yourself, then there other solutions. iLight is a good alternative, but I am biased of course

[DaveChester]

As this is the first result you get on Google for Lutron Programming I thought I better try and balance the thread a little (even though it is very old).

The poor service detailed above is just that - poor service from the installer. The best products in the world are only as good as the person installing them and setting them up. In short if you are considering a Lutron system (or indeed anything else involving a fair chunk of money) ask to see past case studies of jobs and ascertain exactly what is covered in the costs. Even get references and speak to past clients or ask the manufacturer themselves who they recommend in your area.

I hope that helps someone.

[LightBrigade]

I would like to add a little to the thread for the same reasons as Dave - although an old thread it shows up top of the list when searching.

As an experienced Lutron Dealer and Homeworks installer I have deployed Homeworks in a variety of large and not so large residential properties in standalone and AV integrated environments. Lutron Homeworks is extremely good at what it does and deservedly has a high reputation.

The overall customer experience depends largely on straightforward customer service - delivering what you promise, returning calls and sorting out issues. The level of technical competence is also key and Homeworks is a complex product, under continuous development, so there is a requirement for installers to keep up to date and be in current practice. The level of installer competence will vary with technical experience and there really is no substitute for experience. Ask the installer about some of the basic features of the system and their installation experience - there is no reason why you cannot talk to more than one installer either to gain some perspective.

Having installed a variety of other systems, all of which have their merits, such as iLight, Niko, Rako I am in a position to say that Lutron Homeworks is a great system - it isn't perfect, but it is very very good.

[Ashtoroth]

I agree with what LightBrigade and DaveChester say.
Lutron is an amazing product I have been working with it for years and I am still finding more ways to integrate it.

As an installer and programmer of Lutron, amongst other products, I have reprogrammed many Lutron sites done by others and can say Lutron is only as good as the installer, you can see in the program if they have lack of knowledge or they have rushed but there are some programmers that "try too hard" by that I mean they make it too complicated, double press, press and hold etcc..

As someone who is thinking of or having Lutron installed, like said earlier in the thread before ask for references or even if you can visit some sites they have installed, where I work have an full show house show in person Lutron working.

Lutron will connect in one way or another with most things, from alarms to pronto, iphone, AMX, Crestron.

As for what you should be looking for in a brand new Lutron system (when you move in) your programmer should have set up at least basic control in rooms, and experienced programmer will have done some example scenes to show off the lights in your home if not here work i am proud of my Lutron programming when a customer moves in.

Best practice by a decent Lutron installation company is to work in to the price two programming return visits one after a month and one after 3 months, some even will do 6 months. If your Lutron is installed in summer, when winter comes you will be using it much more and find it is not adequate for you any longer.

I personally have seen lots of jobs done where Lutron is just used and an electronic light switch and used at only 10% of what its capable off and it upsets me to have wasted advantages of what is a great system.

Top and bottom of Lutron it’s as only as good as who has programmed it, programming it not one thing to cut corners on.