HTI Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Home Technology Integration?

What are some typical uses of HTI?

What kind of jobs are possible?

What does the training include?

Will I receive a certificate?

Who will pay for books and certification tests?

How much does the program cost?

How long does the training take?

I'm interested.   What's the next step?

 



What is Home Technology Integration?

Modern homes may have many separate systems.  In the past, each system was added separately.  Typical home systems include:

  1. Telephone
  2. Satellite or cable TV and Internet
  3. Monitoring and alarm system
  4. Home local area network (LAN)
  5. Personal computer(s)
  6. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
  7. Intercom
  8. Entertainment system (video and audio)
  9. Lighting control
  10. Appliance control and monitoring

Formerly, each system was installed with its own wiring and its own control box.  Today, components are purchased for each of the above systems that share a common control box or wiring closet.  Each component can be monitored and controlled by a single processor, usually a computer.  This makes wiring much more efficient and makes system usage and maintenance much easier.

Home Technology Integration Terms

Convergence

The phenomenon in which televisions, radios, CD players, microwaves, and other home appliances are turning into computers while computers are turning into all of these (and more) appliances.  This is making the automated, integrated home inevitable.

HA - Home Automation

Home automation is the use of a computer or microprocessor based controller to automate the functions and scheduling of home systems.

HTI - Home Technology Integration

HTI is about controlling several home systems with a computer.  In many cases, this allows home systems to cooperate with one another, i.e., integrate.

HTI+

HTI+ is a professional certification created to assure competency among HTI designers and installers.  HTI+ was created by CompTIA who are the creators of the popular A+ PC Technician Certification.

Structured wiring

Structured wiring is the most efficient method of wiring for home technology integration projects.  Structured wiring means running the wiring for each home system, i.e., phones, security, entertainment, computer network, lighting controls, etc. to the same location - usually a wiring closet.  Often, installers purchase cables that bundle several kinds of wires together, like telephone, network, broadband, speaker wire, etc., to make installation easier.

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What are some typical uses of HTI?

A very small sampling of HTI applications might include:

Whole House

  • Intercom integrated with telephone system - answer the phone, the door, or speak to family members in other parts of the home.
  • Integrated security monitoring - See who's at the door, on the porch, or check on your sleeping baby from any PC monitor or television.
  • Remote control of all systems - Touch panels can be mounted in walls or smaller handheld units may be carried as universal remote controls.
  • Control all the lighting in the house - Contol both electric lights and window shades, with one touch of a button.  Or let the computer control the lighting on schedule whether you're at home or not.
  • Whole house entertainment - Send high quality audio or cable/satellite TV throughout the home.  Allow different family members to control their own areas for content and volume.
  • Share Internet connections and computer peripheral resources like scanners, printers, and storage.
  • Access, monitor, and control all home systems from anywhere over the Internet or telephone system.
  • Control temperature throughout the house scheduled to reduce energy consumption when no one is home or when certain areas are not being used.

Bedroom

  • Sleep / wake alarm integrated with home entertainment system.
  • Lights slowly turn on and brighten for 15 minutes before wake up alarm.

Kitchen

  • Countertop PC accesses TV shows, music, the Internet, recipes, or remote security cameras around house.
  • Microwave cooks according to barcode of frozen products and downloads new product codes from countertop PC.
  • Automatic pet access door linked to whole house controller to allow pet in and out during day.
  • Dishwasher waits until middle of night to wash in order to avoid higher electric rates during day.

Bathroom

  • Shower temperature kept at preferred temperature for each member of family.
  • Towels are heated at shower time.
  • Floors are heated at wake time.

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What kind of jobs are possible?

The HTI specialist is a computer and network technician with additional skills in home tech.   Therefore, our program prepares you to compete for traditional technician jobs as well as the fast growing field of home technology.

A person trained in home technology integration will be able to design, build, configure, and maintain home systems.  Right now there are plenty of workers who can install the wiring or add one system or another.  The home technology integration specialist will be able to install and configure multiple systems.  The HTI Specialist Prorgam is an excellent prepartion for entry level jobs in:

  1. Computer and network support, especially in homes and small offices
  2. Custom electronic system installation
  3. Home construction
  4. Self-employment as consultants, installers, and repair technicians.
  5. Utilities companies such as cable, satellite, telephone, and Internet service providers
  6. Electronics retailers
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What does the training include?

While emphasizing the practical skills needed to be successful as technicians, the course also prepares students to pass nationally recognized certifications related to these fields.  The complete program includes 420-hours of instruction.  For a detailed syllabus for each course visit the HTI Syllabi page.

A+ Certified Technician (240 Hours)

  1. HT301 A+ Certification Training Core Hardware Exam (120 Hours)
  2. HT302 A+ Certification Training Operating Systems Exam (120 Hours)

HT301 HTI+ Home Technology Integration Specialist (180 Hours)

  1. Residential Systems Exam (90 Hours)
  2. Systems Integration Exam (90 Hours)

Training Method

Our instruction provides strong theoretical foundations, practical and meaningful laboratory projects, intelligent, interactive computer-based drilling (with results stored for monitoring and coaching by school staff), and learning games.  Our teaching model is to cover theory essentials first, then immediately use theoretical concepts in hands-on laboratory exercises; these are followed by "burn-in" using computer-based drilling and problem solving.

In practice, this means that each lesson is scheduled in three one-hour sections:

  • One-hour or lecture
  • One-hour of laboratory
  • One-hour of computer-based drilling.

We offer a full complement of equipment encountered in the workplace for each student to practice with until skills are mastered.  Step Technical instructors are always industry-experienced and certified in the disciplines that they teach.


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Will I receive a certificate?

Students who fulfill all requirments for passing each course in the Home Technology Integrtation Program will earn a certificate in Home Technology Integration from Zarem/Golde ORT Technical Institute.   In addition, ORT will pay for each student to take the two exams required for the CompTIA A+ Certification and the two exams required for the CompTIA HTI+ Certification.  See ""Who will pay for the certification tests?" for details.

Please see "What does the training include?" for the list of tests needed.  Visit CompTIA on the web for a complete list of requirements and resources.

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Who will pay for books and certification tests?

The cost of books and certification tests is inlcuded in the tuition.   See "How much does the program cost?" for details of the program and individual courses and fees.

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How much does the program cost?

The price of the complete program is $4,650.  Price includes application, admission, 420 hours of training, books and training materials, tool kits, certification tests, and all other school services such as job career guidance, job search assistance, resume preparation assistance, and much more.

Courses can also be taken separately for those who have the prerequisite skills and knowledge.   Details follow.

Home Technology Integration Program Prices
Course Title Credit Hours Clock Hours Price
HT301 A+ Certification Core Hardware Exam 5 120 $1,200
HT302 A+ Certification Operating Systems Exam 5 120 $1,200
HT303 Home Technology Integration 8 180 $1,800
Course Total 18 420 $4,200
Registration Fees     $100
Textbooks and Training Material     $350
Program Total     $4,650

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How long does the training take?

Full-time program

The full-time program consists of 30 hours of training per week.  At 30 hours per week, 420 hours of training will take approximately* 14 weeks.  Classes are scheduled during the day Monday through Friday, 6 hours per day plus one hour for lunch.

Part-time program

The part-time program consists of 15-18 hours of training per week.  At 15-18 hours per week, 420 hours of training will take approximately* 24 - 28 weeks.  Classes are scheduled two weekday nights, 3 hours per night, plus one long 9-hour weekend day.

* Weeks of training are approximate because of holidays, and events beyond our control, like weather.

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I'm interested.  What's the next step?

Come to our next information session!  Meet with our instructors.  There will be NO SALES REPRESENTATIVES present.  We're only interested in telling you about the program and answering your questions.

Click here to register for the next information session!

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