Home Automation Saves Power

Energy costs more these days -- and consumers are looking for ways to save money without taking a big lifestyle or financial hit. One option is home automation, which can help homeowners take control of energy use and shave dollars off their bills.

- How can home automation reduce energy use?

Home automation devices, incorporated into a new home or retrofitted into an existing one, can help manage heating, cooling and lighting systems to keep costs down. Energy-saving automation devices run the gamut from the basic (programmable thermostats and lighting controls) to the sophisticated (whole-house systems operated by a computer).

They can monitor the home and make adjustments to the heating and cooling systems, as well as lighting, based on predetermined criteria or information provided by sensors located throughout the house.



- What about costs?

The best news is that, with the convergence of digital and wireless trends, automated systems are now available less expensively than you might think. Today, we see systems that cost a fraction of what they did a few years ago, yet they offer the same or even better functionality.

A typical programmable thermostat costs anywhere from about $30 US to about $100, depending on the functionality. Typical whole-house automation systems can range from about $5,000 US to about $30,000, though start-up packages are available from about $1,500.

When integrating a home automation system into a new or existing home, you want to evaluate the initial cost, the expected return on investment, the ability to upgrade or expand the system, and the ease of use.



- How much can I save?

Even the most basic device -- a programmable thermostat -- can cut energy costs. Programming to set the temperature back 10 to 15 per cent for eight hours a day (from 20 to 15 C, for example) can save up to 15 per cent annually on your heating bill.

Combining conditional events, like occupancy detectors and seasonal shifts of schedules with heating/cooling control, can push that figure higher.



- What's right for my home?

Since the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is the biggest energy consumer in the home, any device that automates its operation will translate to savings on your energy bill. For example, by incorporating a programmable thermostat into your heating/cooling system, you can create regular or special events that will set back the temperature and reduce energy costs.

While stand-alone control devices can realize some money and energy savings, going the whole-house route makes the most sense -- and ultimately can give you the most bang for your investment buck.



Experts divide residential energy management systems into three categories:

- Individual control devices -- essentially thermostats, these devices are programmable and inexpensive, but they don't take advantage of data and events collected from other systems, nor do they react in concert with other systems. Without that interaction, the benefits of these devices are limited.

Distributed control systems -- these systems enable the homeowner to program and manage multiple heating/cooling zones from a single controller. They offer more options than individual control devices but lack the ability to communicate fully with other systems in the home.

- Centrally controlled systems -- these whole-house systems, managed via a touch pad, remote control, PC or similar device, integrate a variety of components and systems. These include lighting, security and irrigation in addition to the HVAC system. They also use data collected from sensors and systems throughout the home to make adjustments to maximize energy efficiency and comfort.