I love my Google account. No matter where I am, I have access to my mail, calendar, documents, pictures and news. The free tools (Analytics, Webmaster, Places, Maps…) have been invaluable in my job as DC Home Systems webmaster. So, when I read a recent blog about ‘Google PowerMeter’ my curiosity was peaked.
Google offers a free web based energy monitoring tool.
Track Energy-Use Less-Save Energy & Money
The site displays your energy consumption and related costs and allows you to view the data in a day, week or monthly view. The program will calculate a projection of future consumption based on current trends. Armed with this information you can input your desired consumption and track your progress to your budget goals. And, as with all Google tools, you can communicate with others members of the PowerMeter community and utilize Google’s online help center.
Google PowerMeter interfaces with the meter data management systems of participating ‘Smart Grid’ utility companies (none in the North East unfortunately) as well as standalone energy tracking devices manufactured for in home use. Current Cost, a UK based company, has a number of devices which display energy data on a portable, docked device that looks similar to the iPod classic. TED (The Energy Detective) manufactures a similar line of displays (www.theenergydetective.com). One of the TED models allows you to monitor from both your electrical panel and your solar or wind inverter. These devices are small, easy to install and quite inexpensive, most under $300. With one of these devices combined with Google PowerMeter, you are one more step down the path of reduced energy consumption.
And though I love my Google, those of you with or contemplating Crestron home systems should be aware that Crestron Green Light offers a more sophisticated monitoring, display and control option which monitors the dollars, energy(WH), power(W) and Carbon(lbs) associated with your electricity, gas, water and solar consumption. With this system, your motorized shades, lighting control and thermostat will automatically adjust based on the thresholds programmed for your budget. Now that’s a giant step in the green direction.
Posted August 10th, 2010. 1 comment
Safe At Home
I am excited to report that today I have seen an application of our home automation technology being put to use in caring for our elderly. I have have been noodling the concept for a few years and was pleased to find a company that has developed an engineered and scalable solution.
The core concept is to install sensors that can monitor the key activities of a loved one like: movement in the home, opening and closing of doors and medicine cabinets, flushing of toilets, use of a vehicle, etc.. These sensors are tied to a processor that will present real time information via the web, email or smart phone. Triggers can be set up so that certain events, or lack of events, can send an emergency email or phone call.
Another option with these systems is to add a video camera for remote monitoring and a “message” board that would permit you to type or even draw messages to a screen. You can even post photo’s, videos or music for them as well.
Finally, lights and heat control can be automated with occupancy sensors so that the person does not need to fumble in the dark or try and read a thermostat with small print.
I am particulalry excited about this application of technology as it takes the core elements of systems that we have installing for years and makes them available in a focussed way for our elderly and those in need.
New technologies allow you to use your iPhone as a house wide remote control. Simply tap the screen to select movies, music and TV in any room or adjust volume, light levels and room temperature with just a touch. Using the home Wi-Fi network locally or the powerful 3G and EDGE networks remotely, total control is always at your fingertips. What apps would you like to have for your home audio, video, lighting control or other home systems?
The capabilities of audio and video source gear have exploded in just the past year. Someone with a sweet home A/V system used to have a VCR, DVD player, cable or satellite receiver (or both), Tivo, reel-to-reel, CD changer, cassette player, and phonograph. This took up a lot of space, had a mess of wires, and required extreme dexterity to operate all the remotes, or one really well programmed universal remote.
Today, the consumer can get a Blu-Ray player with Netflix, VUDU, YouTube, Pandora, weather information, and access to local computer files. TV’s are available with similar capabilities. The ability to stream music and movies over the web is making source gear less necessary.
However, video quality is still a bit of an issue. Services that stream video in real time typically can’t give you the high quality picture of cable or Satellite. Services such as Amazon.com and VUDU allow you to download movies for purchase or rental in higher resolutions.
It won’t be long before you will be able to satisfy all of your audio and video desires by simply purchasing a TV, connecting it to the internet, and using the TV remote to watch TV, download and stream movies, and listen to music.
This likelihood leaves me wondering how this will affect the movie and music industry, video gaming capabilities, power consumption (no more cable and satellite boxes hogging power when you aren’t using them).
How do you think the landscape will change? What issues might this cause or solve? Let us know!
Posted February 26th, 2010. 2 comments
