How Hard is it to Update an Older Home with Today’s Technology?

Got an older home where your new technology just doesn’t seem to fit?  Wiring isn’t in the right place, wireless signals are weak, internet speeds are slow, and when you lose power it’s a major task to restart everything?

These problems tend to have a common cause.  Older homes, especially larger ones, were not built with today’s audio/visual, computer and wireless devices in mind.  As a result your wireless technology just doesn’t seem to work at the level you expect.  Fortunately there are solutions to these problems that do not require you to move.
Improving WIFI Signals
Some of the simpler steps that can be taken to improve WIFI signal strength are:

1. Checking your router to make sure it is not obsolete. To handle higher bandwidth applications you should be using models designated 802.11n at 300Mbps, or the latest 802.11ac at 1Gbps.
2. Placement of your router. The more central the location the better.
3. Add wireless signal extenders that boost the signal throughout your home.

Streaming Applications
For those wanting to stream shows to their computers and high definition TV’s, taking the above steps may not be enough.  More sophisticated technology like POE switches and direct wiring via CAT6 and coax cable to the units may be required.  For older homes this entails more work because, unlike newer homes, they were not pre-wired for this type of application.
Taking It to the Max
Recently Artisan Electric, working in conjunction with Abstract Technology, wrapped up a project to significantly upgrade the network connectivity of a number of devices in a customer’s older home.
Because of the size of the home and the number of devices to be controlled Artisan installed a POE switch and 3 enterprise grade access points that boosted the WIFI signal throughout the home. In addition we ran new CAT6 network and coax cable to accommodate five TV locations and other electronic devices.  To top it off, the customer had us install a UPS battery backup that can run a full 100 meg WIFI network for up to eight hours.
Not Every Project Is This Big
Updating your older home’s tech infrastructure doesn’t have to entail everything we did in the project above.  We’d encourage you to give Artisan Electric a call at 765-464-9184 and we’d be happy to come out, run a few speed and signal strength tests, and help you determine the best approach to making your beautiful home more tech savvy.