Each year on Earth Day thousands of us take the time to stop what we are doing and celebrate the planet.  For many, Earth Day also acts as a reminder that we can all take strides toward living a greener, more sustainable lifetsyle. Not only is it easy to make small eco-friendly changes, but the benefits to our planent and wallets can be quite astounding – and embracing intelligent technology is just one of many ways homeowners are helping to reduce both their carbon footprint and monthly utility bills.

Control4 Energy Control & Monitoring Solutions

Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, is teaming with more than 280 Magnolia at Best Buy store locations across the U.S. to celebrate Energy Management Month through home automation and control.

During the month of April, customers at these select Magnolia at Best Buy stores will receive a $50 discount with the purchase of any Control4® Controller and a thermostat or lighting device with installation. Designed as the entry way to home automation, the new Control4 HC-250 Controller (available for in-store demos April 22 at select store locations) is ideal for universal remote replacements, home theaters or as a way to deliver on-screen control to any television in the home.

Getting started on the path to a connected home has never been more affordable and saving energy has never been easier. Control4® home control solutions provide a variety of easy, automated ways to help people manage their energy usage, while enjoying the most from their smart homes. And with just days until Earth Day, here are a few inspired ways for consumers to save energy using Control4.

1. Goodbye Button. Touch a single button when leaving the house and the lights automatically turn off, the temperature is set back, and other electronic devices can be powered off.
2. Motion Sensors. The kids work hard to turn all those lights on; motion sensors make sure they go off when a room is vacant for more than five minutes.
3. Limit Light Output. Set lights to 75 percent maximum light output and save on average about 20 percent of the household’s annual energy usage.
4. Extend Light Bulb Life. Setting light output also increases the life of light bulbs by about four times.
5. Smart Thermostats. With heating and cooling accounting for 56 percent of a household’s energy consumption, advanced climate control is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to save energy in a home.
6. Pre-programmed Events. Set it and forget it. Set outdoor lights to go on and off automatically based on time of day and set heating and cooling to automatically adjust for the seasons.
7. Motorized Shades. Automating window treatments to block that afternoon sun reduces cooling bills and increases comfort.
8. Energy Monitoring. With Control4, the MyEragy app and a compatible in-home power sensor, homeowners can save up to 20 percent or more off their monthly electric bills.
9. Energy-efficient Appliances. If you own some of the new “smart” appliances, you can quickly set them to energy-savings mode when you’re heading out of town.
10. Device Energy Management. Energy is wasted on devices that are plugged in but not being used. Use Control4 to shut down electronics that plug into power outlets when they’re not beings actively used.

To find a Magnolia at Best Buy near you, simply select Retail Dealers at www.control4.com/dealers/locator.

Control4 offers training dates in more than 60 cities worldwide, bringing the latest product information and technical education directly to its global network of automation dealers.

Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, announced the schedule for their 2012 worldwide dealer education and training program, which travels to over 60 cities in North America, South America, Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand.

“This year’s extended training tour enables much broader reach and connection with our dealer network,” said Control4 President and CEO, Martin Plaehn. “Our training tour will provide central information and training designed to improve and grow our dealers’ businesses and also provides a direct mechanism for Control4 to listen to feedback and understand our dealers’ future needs.”

From March through August Control4 will be hitting the road in a huge way, offering the most up-to-date technical training program recommended for professionals specifying and installing Control4® systems. The Control4 2012 Dealer Training offers a one-day program covering new products, automation installation design, and troubleshooting.

The full-day training will provide the latest recommendations and best practices for designing systems configured and equipped for peak performance, including recommendations on how to integrate many devices and product applications into Control4® projects. Attendees will also get the scoop on the latest and greatest hardware and software releases from Control4, and learn about diagnosing and resolving issues with networks and other systems.

The Control4® 2012 Dealer Training will also address solution approaches for the light commercial sector, providing attendees with tools needed to perform quality installations in a variety of business spaces – including sports bars, restaurants, boardrooms and professional offices – inevitably helping dealers more effectively grow their business.

Control4^® 2012 Dealer Training takes place in the following locations:

Control4 encourages all interested dealers to take advantage of these limited seating, first-come, first-serve sessions by reserving your spot today.

Control4 dealers can get more detailed information or register at http://www.control4.com/dealer/training/dealer-tour/

Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, introduces its new video intercom solutions, which include the Control4^® 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera, the Control4^® 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera, and the Control4^® Door Station.

This new video intercom product family provides dedicated, always-on control functionality along with a convenient high-quality communications experience for homes and businesses. Each new product within the family features an integrated camera delivering H.264 full-motion video along with integrated speakers and dual microphones utilizing beam forming and wideband audio to deliver a high-fidelity experience. With activation of a Control4^® Intercom License, consumers can enable whole-home or business communications and message broadcasting, as well as the ability to control auto-answer and “do not disturb” settings.

“Our video intercom family is an exciting new addition to the Control4 offering,” says Control4 President and CEO Martin Plaehn. “By adding the Door Station and the new Touch Screens to Control4 systems, consumers are able to see and communicate with others inside and outside their homes or businesses. We’re creating an exceptional audio and video intercom experience that is completely integrated with the full Control4 automation system.”

Central to the video intercom solutions is the new Control4 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera, a sleek capacitive touch screen that is dealer-configurable as a portable or tabletop solution for use on a countertop, desk, end-table or nightstand. It supports Wireless-N and Ethernet connectivity, and is powered either by Power over Ethernet (PoE) or AC power options. The Portable enables seamless video-intercom interoperability with other Control4 video intercom-capable products, and audio intercom compatibility with the current 5” and 7” In-Wall Touch Screens.

The new Control4 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera features the same sophisticated design and technology as the 7” Portable for high-performance in-wall control. Like Control4’s existing touch screens, the new 7”In-Wall is an elegant addition to any room.

Rounding out the Control4 video intercom solutions is the new Control4^® Door Station, providing an exceptional video intercom experience from outdoor locations such as a gate or front door — enabling consumers to see who’s requesting entry from the safety and convenience of their home or office. In addition to supporting WiFi and Ethernet connectivity, with AC or PoE options, the Door Station includes two contact sensors and one relay for monitoring as well as opening doors and gates.

“Our goal is to consistently deliver insightfully simple solutions that enrich families’ lives and enhance businesses,” adds Plaehn. “We believe our video intercom solutions will do just that.”

The Control4 7” Portable Touch Screen with Camera has a US MSRP of $999 and can be ordered now for expected availability in February.

The Door Station comes in three stylish colors (Satin Nickel, Satin Black and Venetian Bronze), has a US MSRP of $799 and is expected in Q2 2012. For pre-installations, Dealers can order Door Station Back Boxes now, for availability in February.

The Control4 7” In-Wall Touch Screen with Camera has a US MSRP of $999 and is expected in Q2 2012.

The Control4 Intercom License has a US MSRP of $399 for unlimited devices within an installation. The licenses are available now.

For more information on Control4, please visit www.control4.com.