what can you do with an old home intercom system

What to do with an Old Intercom System

• Remove It. You can easily remove a plug-in or battery-operated intercom system from your home without professional help.
• Conceal It. It isn’t always necessary to remove an old intercom system if you can simply cover it up and conceal it.
• Repair It. Repair your old intercom system if you want to be able to continue to use it. ...
• Upgrade It. ...

Full Answer

What can you do with an old intercom system?

What can you do with an old home intercom system?

• Have it removed. If you don't want the intercom system in the house whatsoever, call a professional it have it removed from the home.
• You can simply conceal it.
• Repair it for use.
• Upgrade it with modern technology.
• Replace it.

What to do with your old intercom system?

• I installed a 100W - 24V meanwell supply and a terminal block
• At the station side, I patch the wall and installed a Genie Wall mount for the echo dot. ...
• Connected two wires to the station side for power. Used a .3 AMP fuse inline with each positive side to protect the wires from accidental shorting.
• Installed an Echo Show at the master station side. ...

How to make your own home intercom system?

• Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
• Tap Home in the upper-left corner > Home Settings.
• Tap Intercom. Choose your Intercom settings.
• Tap Back, then tap Done.

How to make wireless intercom system?

Key Features:

• Long range capabilities
• 10 channel secure wireless system
• Group call function

Can you upgrade an old intercom system?

Yes, in most cases. Most intercoms systems installed in the last 30 years can be repaired as long as parts are available. (Most stay in production for 15-20 years) We can also upgrade to retro-fit to a newer system utilizing the old wiring.

Are intercoms still used?

You may have your phone with you most of the time, but even with the instant access to texts and calls, intercom systems still provide a lot of uses for modern homes. Professionals can install intercom systems in many different rooms of the home.

Does an intercom system add value to your home?

A residential intercom system can provide your household with the following benefits: Added property value. While you likely won't move out right after upgrading your home, putting in smart home features can translate to a higher resale value in the future.

How do I remove my home intercom?

Shut off the electrical power to the room where the main intercom unit is located, usually the living room area. ... Remove the cover of the main intercom unit using the screwdriver. ... Remove the mounting screws of the intercom unit using the screwdriver and remove the intercom unit from the wall.More items...

How do I update my old NuTone intercom?

Old NuTone and M&S intercom systems can almost never be replaced piece by piece. These manufacturers do not manufacturer replacement parts for their older models, and the newer systems are not backwards compatible. That means buying a new station to replace just one old or broken station is not an option.

What is the purpose of an intercom system?

An intercom system is a device that enables two-way communication between people. Intercom systems also allow building tenants to grant property access to visitors by opening a door or gate remotely. Intercom systems have taken many forms throughout history.

How does a 2 wire intercom work?

2-wire wired intercoms are usually half-duplex only. With only one pair of wires, they have to be used for both transmit and receive. When one party is talking, the wires are being used to transmit the voice to the other party. Then the wires are used to receive the voice from the other party, and vice-versa.

How does a home intercom system work?

Home intercom systems work by transmitting voice or image data over special wiring, your home's electrical wiring, or through the air. You can get a wired or a wireless system. Wired units are more expensive and will likely require an expensive install. They also aren't portable.

How much does it cost to install intercom?

Installing an intercom system costs an average of $1,200 to $8,500, including the intercom materials and labor. Advanced systems with the latest audio and video technology may cost upward of $10,000, especially if you need to install intercom substations in multiple locations around your home.

How do I remove an old nutone intercom system?

1:4420:49A Step by Step Video that shows how to Remove a NuTone ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAgain you take your flat screwdriver carefully wedge it underneath the head of the pen pry it up aMoreAgain you take your flat screwdriver carefully wedge it underneath the head of the pen pry it up a little bit. And simply pull it out don't lose.

How do I replace my intercom phone?

0:171:56Changing a door entry handset. The Bell 801 - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBy far the easiest method is to cut the insulation off leaving a piece so you can see which colorMoreBy far the easiest method is to cut the insulation off leaving a piece so you can see which color went to which terminal. Then simply remove the old handset.

How do I cancel my M&S intercom system?

1:4120:54Disconnect and Remove a M&S Systems DMC1 Intercom ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThat's built into the master station and the next thing we have to do is we have to remove theMoreThat's built into the master station and the next thing we have to do is we have to remove the faceplate screws.

A Brief History of Home Intercoms

From the 1960s through the 1980s, home intercoms were all the rage. Of course, they were simpler then, usually showing a mediocre video image or allowing you to speak to your guests or other family members through a speaker. Although the intercom currently hanging on your wall looks like an old dinosaur, this technology was once unbeatable.

Removing and Scrapping Your Old Intercom

Of course, one of the best things you can do to the old Intercom is to get rid of it. This is especially true if you have no use for it anymore and don’t plan to refurbish it with a new model. If you have a battery-operated intercom, you don’t have to worry about shutting off power.

Covering Up Your Intercom to Make It Blend In With Your Home Décor

If removing the intercom will take too much money or too much of your time, then another easier alternative is to disguise it. The simplest way to cover up your intercom is to block it with a piece of furniture such as a bookshelf. It makes sense to do this if the bookshelf flows with the rest of the room’s décor in which the intercom is located.

Modernize Your Intercom

One of the last things you can do instead of getting rid of or concealing the eyesore is to replace it with a modern version. If you are replacing a battery-operated one, you can find replacements online or in big box stores. If you need a wired replacement, then you can hire a professional that installs wired intercoms and have them install it.

Flanges

As mentioned above, you will need to use an offset flange when moving the toilet closer to the wall. But what is a flange? A flange often connects the toilet to the pipes. The pipes can connect directly with the toilet, however, it is most common for a flange to connect the two together.

Moving the Toilet

Before beginning the process of actually moving your toilet, there is a pre-step that is required. Purchasing the correct sized offset flange. An offset flange, which will appear to be shaped like a tuba with a wider hole on top and a smaller hole on the bottom, can be purchased at hardware stores or online.

What to do if your intercom is broken?

If your intercom system is broken and you still want to use it, you can upgrade it to operate in a more functional way for your household. As with other forms of technology, intercom systems have advanced and become more sophisticated over the years.

Can you conceal an intercom system?

Concealing an Old Intercom System. If you are no longer using your intercom system , you can always opt to conceal it if you don’t want to physically remove it from your wall. Although this is not the most effective solution, it is definitely the easiest way to decommission your outdated intercom system. If you are not a self-proclaimed “DIYer” you ...

Can you use an old intercom in a house?

Yes, there are intercoms available that can utilize the old wiring in the house that can give you clear, crisp sounds. We can also replace your old intercom with a Retro-fit. Another great feature is that you can stream music through a cable channel or iPod with an auxiliary connection.

Have it removed

If you don’t want the intercom system in the house whatsoever, call a professional it have it removed from the home. They are usually hardwired into the home but sometimes they are actually just battery operated or plugged into the AC outlet of the wall.

You can simply conceal it

Others are looking for a simple solution to this eyesore and just want to conceal the unit. Sometimes removal is more than they were looking for so concealing it with furniture, wall hangings, or plants can be an easy solution.

Repair it for use

As mentioned, sometimes these units don’t work and that is why a homeowner wants it out of the house. You can actually look into simply having the intercom repaired so that your family can actually enjoy this fun feature in the home.

Upgrade it with modern technology

Another fun option is to upgrade it using modern technology. Your home is already wired for the system, so now you can simply upgrade the operation of it with a more sophisticated intercom system. You could incorporate a video option, radio, and more.

Replace it

If you like the idea of the unit but you don’t want to pay for a replacement part, you could always replace it with another model. Look online for vintage replacements or use this as a chance to upgrade to a newer radio system. This is a great opportunity for some creativity with an older unit that is already a part of the home.

Have the Intercom System Removed

Call a professional to remove the intercom system if you don’t want it in the house. Intercom systems are mounted on the walls and usually hardwired at home.

Conceal the Intercom System

This is a simple solution to deal with the old Intercom system, especially if you don’t want to remove it physically.

Repair the Intercom System for Use

With prolonged use of time, system units may fail to work as required. Instead of homeowners removing the intercom, you can easily have the intercom system repaired depending on the vendor and system model.

Upgrade the Intercom System with Modern Technology

The evolution of modern technology has necessitated the development of a more sophisticated intercom system.

Replace the Intercom System

If it hurts to replace a particular part in the unit, a homeowner could replace the entire Intercom system with a newer model.

What to do with old wired intercom system

I know this subject has come up before, but I need a bit more advice on this. Our 30 year old mid-century modern house has an old Nu-Tone intercom (with radio) system. The units look pretty dated and do not function well. I know there are more modern wireless systems for music throughout the house, etc.

Comments (184)

Besides aesthetics, is there any reason not to use an echo show 5 in every intercom panel versus the echo dot 3? Are all the features the same + the additional video features?

How to deal with broken intercom?

Your options for dealing with a broken or outdated intercom include the following: Hide it: Keeping in mind the adage, “out of sight, out of mind,” the easiest, least costly and least time-consuming approach to dealing with an old intercom is to remove it from sight. You could conceal it with a hutch or picture, or if you’re feeling ambitious, ...

Does your home security system include an intercom?

Does your home security setup include an intercom system? While an intercom does add an extra layer of protection for you and your family, the technology has come a long way in a short period of time. If you still have an old intercom system in the house, it’s probably not meeting your current security needs.

A Brief History of Home Intercoms

Removing and Scrapping Your Old Intercom

• Of course, one of the best things you can do to the old Intercom is to get rid of it. This is especially true if you have no use for it anymore and don’t plan to refurbish it with a new model. If you have a battery-operated intercom, you don’t have to worry about shutting off power. If your intercom is hardwired, it still may have power surging thr...

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Covering Up Your Intercom to Make It Blend in with Your Home Décor

Modernize Your Intercom