A stereo that turns on when you walk in the door. A refrigerator that reminds you not to snack after dinner. A heating system that remembers your spouse likes a cool room while you prefer some heat.

Technology out of a sci-fi novel, right? Well, not really.

"These days, any activity that can be sensed in the house can trigger any action," said Jeff Scott, part owner of Desco Audio Video in Olympia. "Music, TV, lights and even email notification can all be triggered by movements in a house."

Among other things, Desco specializes in the installation and upkeep of home automation systems. Home automation is the general computerization of the household; everything from a home's audio-video system to heating and general appliances. Home automation controls all of a home's electronics from one centralized location, making for improved convenience and comfort in a house.

"Home automation is bringing control of all the electronics in a house to one interface," said Scott. "It means automating things in our everyday life."

Simple examples of automation are having kitchen lights turn on when a garage door is opened. Or, having a favorite playlist play over the stereo as soon as someone steps in the house.  These actions are triggered by movement or some other action, said Scott, not by a person touching a switch. Gone are the days of turning on a stereo or flipping on a light. Everything can be done automatically.

According to Scott, five or ten years ago home automation systems were priced so high they were reserved for the very wealthy. These days, an entry level system can start at around $5,000. And many systems run from technology devices that a homeowner already has; like a smart phone or IPad.

"You could run a system from a keypad in the wall or an IPad in your lap," said Scott. "You can choose any number of ways to interface your system."

Desco typically installs Control 4 brand automation technology. While Desco does not sell appliances like refrigerators, Scott said he has seen some cool things at nation-wide electronic shows.

 "Sub-Zero refrigerators now have a Control 4 automation module," said Scott. "Say the fridge opens after ten, the module can send a WAV File through the house speakers and ask, ‘are you sure you want to be eating so late.'''

Many of Desco's customers around the South Sound use home automation to increase home security. Scott finds many parents who want to put an electronic keypad on a house's front door. That way, when the parent is at work and the children come home from school, the parent can immediately receive an email notifying them that the kids are home.

"Email notification of actions is a big thing," said Scott.

Scott, who has worked at Desco for over thirty years, was confident that a home automation system could be installed in any home; new or old. He said these days the only limit to what can be done is an owner's imagination.

"You can do whatever you want to when it comes to this stuff," said Scott.