How HTSA Membership Benefits Clients Through Advanced Training, Premium Partnerships, and Industry Leadership

Since 1966, Barrett's Technology Solutions has maintained a commitment to excellence in home technology across Chicagoland. Starting out as an electronics retailer, we have seen vast changes in the industry and grown and evolved with it through many disruptive technology cycles and fundamental business model revolutions. As an industry leader, we understand that staying ahead requires more than just keeping up with technology—it demands continuous learning, strong industry partnerships, and access to the latest innovations. That's why our membership in the Home Technology Specialists of America (HTSA) plays such a key role in helping us deliver exceptional solutions to our clients.

Elevate Your Clients’ Chicago Luxury Homes with More Efficient Technology Integration 

A genuinely sophisticated home is no longer defined solely by its architectural excellence or interior design. It should be an environment capable of anticipating a family’s needs and delivering unparalleled comfort, all while being energy-efficient. 

As we step into 2025, our trade partners’ clients in Chicago are increasingly seeking homes that combine elegance with intelligence, and that's where Barrett's Technology Solutions comes in.

The Power of Limitless High-Quality Content for Your Home Entertainment

 Many homeowners throughout Chicago, IL, are turning to custom home theaters for their home entertainment. Custom home theaters are designed for the activities that you and your family enjoy. For many, that means creating a space where you become immersed in the latest blockbuster. Others may love their own personal big screen to binge-watch their current series, play a round of Fortnite, or relax amidst high-fidelity surround sound of their favorite tune. 

Custom home theaters are designed to help you escape into new worlds. With a large selection of content in the best formats available, it’s easy to find the best film, music, or song to create the ideal entertainment haven in your home. 

And that’s where Kaleidescape comes in. 

This movie server upgrades the experience by bringing the best images and sound to the screen. We’ll explore the benefits of this technology here. 

Chicago's Top Technology Integrator Recognized for Its Commitment to Excellence 

Each year, CEDIA honors integrators, manufacturers, and individuals who have made significant contributions to the custom technology industry. The awards go to those who elevate the standards of home technology integration. While there are some for specific installations (like media rooms or smart homes), we're proud to announce our recognition for our standout services across the board.

Barrett’s Technology Solutions was named the winner of the 2024 Excellence in Business category, which recognizes companies that showcase strong business practices, outstanding client service, great workplace cultures, and strategic planning. 

"Barrett's has been a proud member of CEDIA for many years, and we are truly honored to receive this prestigious award," said Barrett's President, Brian Perrault. "It stands as a testament to the hard work our team puts in every day, as well as our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and ongoing support to our clients." 

Create Your Ideal AV Setting

A home theater is more than just a place to watch movies—it’s a space where you can immerse yourself in the action and enjoy your favorite films, shows, and sports events in unparalleled comfort.

The perfect home theater design is key to creating an ultimate viewing experience that rivals any commercial cinema. Below, we explore the essential elements to consider when transforming your Chicago, IL, home theater into the entertainment space of your dreams.

Keep reading for more!

An Inside Look at Barrett’s Technology Solutions’ Exclusive Lighting Lab Event for Chicago’s Top Designers and Architects

When creating a truly extraordinary living space, lighting is everything. This is not just mere illumination; lighting sets the mood, creates ambiance, and brings out the best of a home's architecture and decor. At Barrett's Technology Solutions, we understand this, and that's why we created a unique demonstration experience showcasing the latest technology and techniques in lighting control systems and design. 

Recently, we hosted a two-day event that brought together top architects, designers, and contractors from the Chicago area to discuss the latest innovations in lighting. In this blog, we’ll take you behind the scenes of this exclusive event and show you how Barrett’s is helping our clients and partners take full advantage of lighting technology in their projects. 

Managing Your Home’s Energy Effortlessly

Savant is a luxury home automation platform known for its customization and the ability to scale up for large luxury estates. In 2021, it came out with Savant Power and changed the face of smart home energy systems. 

The Savant Power System is the ultimate smart energy management solution for your Chicago, IL, home. While several of these systems are on the market, Savant Power has given homeowners control at the circuit level and, as Savant does, created scenes that let homeowners direct their energy at the touch of a button. Let’s explore what this means and why it places Savant at the top of the pack.

SEE ALSO: Barrett’s: Your Elite Smart Home Company Partner in Chicago

Managing the Power Grid

Numerous systems, like Savant, offer solar power and battery storage. As the sun creates energy, it’s stored in batteries, enabling homeowners to use its power when it best suits them. Green energy becomes available 24/7, accessed with the tap of an icon on a smartphone app.

Controlling Your Home’s Energy Usage

Savant goes a step further by using sensors and controllers built into smart modules that are inserted into your home’s existing circuit breaker. Via the Savant app, you can see which circuits use the most energy, including how much each appliance uses, and turn them on and off from anywhere.

Discover how our high-end solutions and in-depth expertise can transform your projects from day one!

Since 1966, Barrett's Technology Solutions has been a trusted name in the smart home technology business in Chicago, IL. Renowned for our commitment to integrating advanced solutions from the very beginning of every project, we go beyond what the typical smart home company does, and we collaborate closely with designers, architects, and other professionals from the project's conception. This early involvement ensures that technology seamlessly blends with the overall design, creating a harmonious and innovative living space.

Keep reading this blog to learn more about our unique role in making luxury experiences a reality!

Transforming Your Experience with Natural and Electric Light

Today’s lighting designer incorporates stunning lighting and elegant controls to create a seamless experience that enhances your home’s environment in remarkable ways. At Barrett’s Technology Solutions, a Lutron shade dealer serving Chicago, we partner with global leaders in lighting design and control while collaborating with electricians to ensure predictable outcomes you can rely on. 

Are you ready to uplevel your design and enhance your everyday experience? With automated shades and lighting, you can transform the atmosphere in a heartbeat. Let’s discover the possibilities.

Treat Your Family and Friends to Luxury Outdoor Comfort

Extending Chicago living areas into the great outdoors is more popular than ever. These are the spaces where you gather with family and friends, enjoying good food and drinks and long conversations amidst nature’s beauty. For some, it also means integrating the latest outdoor entertainment with concert-quality audio systems and outdoor TVs that deliver breathtaking images. 

Others prefer a quiet retreat, a personal oasis with fountains and firepits amidst relaxing and beautiful landscapes. No matter your preference in outdoor design, there is one item that ensures greater comfort and convenience, particularly in the windy city. That item is outdoor shades.

At Barrett’s Technology Solutions, we partner with industry leaders in outdoor automatic shades. Let’s explore what they offer and how they make outdoor living that much better.

The Perfect Pairings for Outdoor Gatherings: Good Food, Wine, and Music

You can always tell when spring has arrived in Chicago, IL. Bicyclists appear en masse, emerging from winter’s slumber with a smile. Cottontail rabbits start popping up everywhere and Michigan Avenue brings its stunning display of tulips. Spring is here!

While it’s not quite time for summer festivals, it is time to consider your first spring gathering with friends and family. Yes, it’s time to prepare our backyards for the coming months of outdoor dining, barbecues, pool parties, and quiet nights under a full moon. 

To provide some inspiration, we’re exploring how to elevate your first outdoor get-together with great food, excellent wine pairings, and an outdoor audio system that will create an unforgettable ambiance your friends will long remember.