Intellihome & Office on St. John's Road, Pembroke.

Homeowners, builders and architectural firms are being shown the new technology right now that brings energy efficiencies, creature comforts and other improvements to the home or office.

Intellihome president Andre Simons said there has been an enthusiastic response to a product line being offered through his association with Home Systems Plus, a leading supplier of "intelligent home'' products in the US.

The firm is taking advantage of new technologies, including transmitters and receivers, that allow some automation installations without the necessity to uproot electrical lines and open up walls - but using existing power lines.

As a result, said Mr. Simons, labour costs for electricians can be controlled, making overall more pricing competitive.

Home automation products include lighting control, security, audio/video among other things.

Said Mr. Simons: "Just to give you an idea: you can call your house from anywhere in the world, when you realise your security system needs to be turned on.

"You can have your house call you when someone arrives at your door and you are not at home. This gives you an opportunity to have a conversation with your visitor, even though you are absent.

"Some people also like to hook up video to their door, so they can see from any television set in the home, who is visiting.

"Or if you are heading home, you might like to call ahead and turn the hot tub on, or turn the front door lights on so you don't arrive in the dark.

"There are a lot of practical applications. You could turn on the air conditioner before you arrive, so that it is the perfect temperature for your arrival.'' And while traveling on vacation, you might want to leave a "still at home'' impression. Some systems have a one-touch "vacation mode'' which causes the blinds to open and close, and lights and television to shut on and off.

The firm also markets "home theatre'' systems that put a virtual cinema in the home. And stereo speakers can be installed in the walls.

Mr. Simons said, "We have been bringing a number of people into our `lifestyle' showrooms at 43 St. John's Road, because there are so many other products and services to see.

"People can decide what they want for their own homes after coming to the showroom and interacting with the various technologies.'' The firm began its core electrical contracting business five years ago, and has been active in security installations, before opening the new, home automation showroom last Monday. The firm also sells do-it-yourself kits.

Mr. Simons noted: "We have opened the showrooms to architects and developers, but we see other applications. Clubs want high quality home theatre systems and churches want projection equipment.

"But one of the main things we feel we can focus in on is companies who need to make board room presentations.

"We have systems where the projector comes out of the ceiling, the screen slides out of the ceiling and everything is automated. We can install while things are being built or do a retro-fit for existing buildings.''