So, this one is the X10 standard? Which appliance controller gadget should I buy? I want someone to offer-up a bunch of stuff which is known to work together, except I don't want to pay zillions for Control4. An open standard would be nice, but I'll accept a reasonably priced suite of stuff.

Here are the step by step instructions.

1. Buy one of these: http://www.thehomeautomationstore.com/ws13a.html

2. Install it in place of the switch that currently controls one of the lights in your basement.

3. Repeat steps 1 & 2 for each of the five circuits. Give each one the same "house code" but a unique "appliance code" from 1 to 5. (The instructions explain how to do this -- I believe you just turn a dial to a particular number.)

4. Buy one of these: http://www.thehomeautomationstore.com/hr12a.html

5. Set it to the same house code you used in Step 3.