What is Home Automation? Home automation saves money and conserves energy and water through the use of smart devices, ranging from simple motion detectors to complete home automation systems that integrate lighting, security, audio, and home heating and cooling.

In addition to saving money and natural resources, home automation also makes managing your home easier and more convenient.

Complete Home Automation Systems (CHAS)

Automate functions for wall switchesA CHAS is a network of devices and switches to control just about anything in the home that may be attached to a sensor, controller, or electrical outlet. For example, a CHAS may automate functions of wall switches, lighting, appliances, electronics, a spa, a security system, an air conditioner and a heater using a single system. A stand-alone master unit may be used to control systems or they may be controlled by software installed on a home computer system.

While some standalone devices may also be used with CHAS, many other devices are not interchangeable. Many manufacturers require the use of their own devices with their CHAS. Some electronic devices may have certifications associated with them, but many CHAS systems may not. You will have to get information from the manufacturer regarding the reliability and durable of such systems.

Due to the complexity of CHAS systems, installation professionals should be certified. Choose an installation professional who is certified by the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA). Installation professionals may also use their expertise to assist you in determining whether a chosen CHAS provides the type of product that best suits your needs.

Electricity Usage Monitors

An energy monitor measures the amount of energy used by individual appliances or your whole house. It calculates the instantaneous and cumulative energy usage. Most monitors include a cost calculator that offers the added capability of determining operating costs using the units of measure that utilities use (kilowatt/hour).

There are two different levels of energy monitoring: appliance level or whole house level. An example of an appliance level monitor is the Kill-A-Watt (pictured here). This device is able to measure the power going into any 120 V appliance (including a power strip) that is plugged into it. These are great to get an understanding of how much power your appliances are consuming when they are in use. They are also able to provide data for the power consumed by an appliance when it is not in use, but still plugged in, also knows as a vampire load. Appliance level meters are usually unable to measure loads that are on a 240 V circuit, as they only accept 120 V standard plugs.

An example of a whole house energy monitor is The Energy Detective (TED). This connects to your incoming power lines and tells you how much power your entire home is consuming. Along with being able to measure your 240 V loads (Air conditioning, washer/dryer, electric oven, etc.) a whole house meter is able to give you an understanding on how your house is performing as a system. Whole house meters are extremely beneficial to homeowners who are serious about energy conservation.

The level of detail these devices supply greatly improves one’s ability to make informed energy conservation decisions. Energy meters are a key element to any home automation system and the data they provide is a vital step to knowing where and how to reduce overall energy consumption.

Smart Power Strips

Smart power strips protect devices and appliances from power surges in the same manner as conventional power strips plus much more. Like some conventional power strips, smart power strips also include a phone jack that you may use to protect your phone line from power surges.

Advanced power strips are able to assess the power consumption of connected devices and then determine if they are in use. Circuitry that is built into the device allows for smart power strips to reduce idle current. Idle current is the current supplied to devices and appliances that are not being used, but continue to draw current when they are left on. For example, many computer modems, routers, speakers and external devices do not have an energy saving mode nor their own on/off power switches. They are typically left on to draw power even when the computer is turned off. One study indicates that the consumption of an average computer system is likely to equal the energy consumption of a 60-watt incandescent light bulb when the computer is turned off and all of the computer peripherals are left on.

It is also possible to purchase power strips with electricity usage monitors built in. These power strips will display how much power is being consumed in the whole strip. These are great for applications like your TV and Stereo system where you may have a lot of appliances all plugged into one strip but you only use all the devices (TV, receiver, surround sound, subwoofer, gaming system, etc.) at the same time.

Occupancy/Vacancy Sensors

Occupancy and Vacancy sensors are motion sensors that turn lights on or off depending on if they “sense” a presence in the room. The heat that radiates from your body and other objects can be measured in terms of infrared (IR) energy. Motion sensors have a field of view (FOV) that is adjustable with most models. FOV is the area, in terms of the width and depth that the sensor is able to “see”. Motion sensors measure the difference in infrared energy in a space to determine whether a heated object is or is not in its FOV and reacts to the information.

The difference between an occupancy and a vacancy sensor is that an occupancy sensor comes on automatically when it senses something in its FOV. It then turns off after it doesn’t “see” anything after a pre-determined time delay. Vacancy sensors are turned on manually, but automatically turn off after they don’t “see” any IR energy for a pre-determined amount of time. While they both turn off in the same manner, the Occupancy sensor is an automatic on, while the Vacancy sensor is manually turned on. The difference between these two seems minor, but the distinction is important.

For example, if a household has pets, there is a chance that they could constantly trigger an Occupancy sensor, but since the Vacancy sensor has to be turned on manually they would not affect it. Think about which control strategy would work best for each room that needs lighting and choose an occupancy or vacancy sensor based on each room’s specific conditions.

Dimmer Switches

Dimmer switches may be installed as standalone units or incorporated in a CHAS. Standalone units allow you to manually dim or brighten lights through a range of illuminations until the desired light level is achieved. When included in a CHAS, dimmers may be programmed to change illumination based on the status of other networked devices or they may be used to trigger other devices in the network. Lights may also be programmed to dim when sufficient daylight has entered the room to achieve a desired level of light. Dimmer switches may be installed using standard residential wiring. Dimmer switches reduce your electricity consumption by lowering the current that flows to the light bulb. The less current that flows, the less light the bulbs puts out, and the less energy you use!

Thermostats and Temperature Controls

Thermostats and temperature control devices may be installed as standalone units or incorporated in a CHAS. The standalone unit allows you to manually adjust the temperature setting for your heating or cooling system at a time you specify in advance. When included in a CHAS, temperature control devices can adjust temperatures as programmed or as a result of the status of other devices in the network. Temperatures may be programmed for days or weeks at a time. Some smart systems include a battery backup to maintain programmed information in the event of a power loss.

As with many smart devices, programmable temperature controls will only save energy if they are actually programmed! It is important that all home occupants know how to use these devices so they are able to keep heating and air conditioning running at the most comfortable level and efficient setting.

In regards to saving energy, temperature controls are one of the greatest tools you have as heating and cooling makes up the biggest chuck of your energy load. The less time your heat or AC is required to run, the more electricity and money you save!

Smart Awnings, Binds and Shutters

Awnings, blinds and shutters are products that continue to improve with changes in technology. Automated devices may be opened and closed simply by pushing a button. Smart devices are designed to open and close automatically depending upon environmental or other conditions. Products are available in a variety of sustainable materials and fabrics, which also contribute to energy savings by allowing sunlight to enter and heat the home in winter months and preventing sunlight from heating the home in summer months. Smart awnings are activated by solar and wind sensors. Awnings automatically open when the sun shines and retract in stormy weather. Motorized window blinds, shades and shutters can be operated by switches, timers, remote control, sun sensors or CHAS. Wireless devices and multi-channel remotes allow for a variety of installation options.

Smart Sprinklers

A smart sprinkler control system is a sprinkler irrigation system that uses a PC and weather updates from the Internet to adjust the amount of water distributed based on the weather. The system avoids watering on rainy days and automatically increases the level of watering on hot and dry days while decreasing the level of watering on cold or humid days. The automated system keeps track of water usage and offers a graphical display of data.

Summary

Home automation products will allow for a higher level of home comfort while reducing energy consumption and your impact on the environment. You should seek devices and products that display the ENERGY STAR logo, where applicable. You should also choose from available sustainable materials and choose devices or a system that provides the most energy efficient solution for your particular home.

When selecting devices or a complete home automation system, make sure the system fits in with you and your family’s lifestyle. If you install a system to save energy, but do not review the information the system gives you or actively program your thermostats, then the system will not be a very good investment. Likewise, make sure your home comfort settings are agreed on by all members of your family, or the system can turn into more of a hassle than a convenience. Overall, a home automation system will enable you and your family to live more comfortably and save more energy, a goal that I’m sure everyone can agree on.

Chris Kaiser sells factory automation equipment for Siemens. A 2006 graduate of Georgia Tech in Mechanial Enginering, he also writes about energy conservation on his MapAWatt blog,which also offers a tool that allows users to compare energy use by region.

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Green By Design