Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Why do the Experts leave out Home Automation Control in discussions on Energy Management

I received my monthly Electrical Cooperative magazine last week.  A two page article was written concerning the first of its kind energy-efficient residential housing workshop in Ohio.  After reading the article twice, I noticed again how so much time and energy is taken in talking about HVAC Seer ratings and Energy Star lighting and appliances, but no one is talking about controlling any of it with an over arching Home Automation system that sheds loads, turns back the thermostat and turns off all the lighting when away during the day and only lights up certain fixtures at night when away.

Having a 90% efficient furnace, heat pump or geo-thermal heating plant is great, but if the system is not being properly controlled, we are still wasting energy.  Since we are still using old technology to heat water, i.e. large tank, with electrodes or gas burner that constantly cycles off and on to keep the water at a constant temperature, we are still wasting energy!  Why do we need for the water heater to keep the water at a set temperature overnight?  Even if you take your shower in the morning, with a automation system you could bring the water heater on line an hour before you need it, but during times away and when not in use, shed that load!   Ohio State Professor Gary Kinzel, stated that homes use 20 percent of the total energy consumed by our nation.   He lists 17 percent of that to make hot water.

Energy Star has alisted lighting fixture requirement, i.e. 6 out of 10 fixtures must be energy Star rated, that is have the rating and use a CFL for the light source.  But no where is controlling that fixture addressed.  Yes, it has a CFL, but it was left on for sixteen hours, ten of them with no one at home, so I was using "less" energy because of the CFL?   How about a system that turns it off when not in use?  How much would that save?  No one seems to have listed in their checklists for improvement, harvesting day light, proper use of dimming and timers on fans.  

Today, we have the ability and the products to not only control the use of energy efficiently, but to show our clients, with a real time display what they are using and how with control and lifestyle changes they can have a strong impact on their energy use and carbon foot print.

What do you think?  Are we missing the boat by not including Home Automation in the discussion? Let me know what you think.

Ric
...bringing technology home!