| When I was growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida | | | | Now that you know you can tackle this job, don't |
| very few homes had air conditioning. During the | | | | be scared off by the price. When you consider |
| summer it was hot and humid. The windows | | | | the convenience and stress relief (no more |
| were always open. I can remember screaming | | | | screaming across the house to each other) an |
| across the house to get the attention of one of | | | | intercom system is well worth the cost. You also |
| my three sisters. I wonder what the neighbors | | | | have so many choices. These choices allow you |
| thought? This is one of the reasons I love the | | | | to configure a system that is within your budget. |
| intercom system I now have. I can push a button | | | | You can choose from bare bones systems that |
| and talk to anyone, anywhere in my house. I am | | | | will work quite well, systems that play cd's, |
| sure everyone would want an intercom if they | | | | systems that play music from your iPod, |
| thought they could have it in their home. Well, | | | | systems that interface with your music system, |
| here is the good news, if your house is already | | | | or systems that are part of your structured |
| built it is not too late. The system in my home | | | | wiring design. |
| was installed after we were moved in! | | | | If you never thought about installing an intercom |
| Installing an intercom in an existing home is a | | | | because your home was already built...think again. |
| project any do-it-yourselfer can tackle. The | | | | If you install the system yourself the cost is |
| biggest challenge is running the wire. If you | | | | probably within your budget, with an entry level |
| purchase a system that is looped, which means | | | | intercom in a 2000 square foot house running |
| you just run the wire from speaker to speaker | | | | around $600. Find a reputable company with good |
| and then back to the master unit, then the job | | | | installation experience to purchase your products |
| becomes even easier. Valet, and Nutone offer | | | | from. They will be glad to help you design your |
| systems that can be looped. The new systems | | | | system and offer you tech support as you tackle |
| run on CAT 5 wire, which is great to work with | | | | the project. |
| and pretty inexpensive. | | | | |