How Will X10 Closing Affect Your Home Automation?

“X10 is shutting down. It appears the company is headed into receivership and its factories will cease making products for controlling lights and other devices over the powerline. CE Pro has learned from several sources that X10 will no longer make products based on the home-control protocol it created in the 1970s.” Read the entire story here »

Home Controls learned about X10 closing its factory in China the day after is stopped manufacturing parts. After all, being in the home automation business for more than two decades, we have some good sources! Still, it took us by surprise.

We have also learned that Leviton is streamlining its Decora Home Controls (DHC) product line, an X10-compatible lighting control system. It’s not as drastic. The entire DHC product line is not being eliminated, but several parts are being discontinued.

How will this affect you? We’ve heard some interesting reactions already. Are you saddened by the loss of your favorite do-it-yourself home automation system – or are you jumping for joy at the demise of this older and less expensive technology? Do you want to stock up on the remaining X10 devices that remain – or are you going to upgrade/transition to one of the newer, although more expensive systems, like Z-Wave or UPB?

We would like to hear what you think. Good, or bad.

In the meantime, Home Controls still has several X10 components for sale; however, we admit there are some few parts we just can’t get any more. Find them here. »