I want to build a remote for testing at home using an Arduino

Yes this is possible. You can use an Arduino and a simple IR LED.
Lukas Neverauskis has developed the code needed and it can be downloaded from the link below.
(More instructions are available inside the code)
(The IRremote library by shirriff can be downloaded using the built in library manager in the Arduino IDE)
http://www.mediafire.com/view/t725wx8vgo7s7v4/StartModule_HOME_Commands.ino