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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
Adjusting the lights in your home through programmed controls is becoming more and more desirable, not only for the convenience but also for reducing energy consumption and costs. This technology is more widely available than ever before. Thanks to recent product innovations, retrofitting your current lighting to controllable lighting is as easy as replacing a light switch. You can choose to replace one switch or have as many as 200 switches programmed on to the system. Start with just a single room or area and expand the system to the most logical spaces. The right dimmers, switches and keypads talk wirelessly to a central control point, enabling control of all of the lighting in your home with simple, intuitive keypads, both in-wall and table-top. And as an added benefit, the controls are elegant and available in many colors and styles.
From This....
to this!
As switches are added, groups of lights are programmed to come on to preset levels based on the ambiance you want for the occasion. Now, as you enter the den, you press a button on a keypad near the entry and your over head lights come on to a dimmed setting, your desk lamp turns on and the art light illuminates your favorite painting. Lights can be programmed to turn on, off or dim according to the time of day or occupancy patterns, saving energy and bulb life. Further, with a built in astronomical clock, your system can be programmed to turn lights on automatically at sunrise, whatever the time of year. You can even turn off all the lights in the house from a keypad beside your bed with the push of a single button.
Your system can include progammed sensors which automatically turn the lights on when movement is detected in a room. Conversely, when you leave the room and the sensor doesn’t detect movement for a few minutes, the lights will turn off to save energy.
Car visor controls provide an additional level of safety and security. When you leave your home, you simply press one button to turn off all the lights, except the lights that provide security in your absence. Similarly, when you return, a button on the visor control illuminates a safe path to your entrance and task lighting inside the home.
Sophisticated systems aim to optimize not only electric light but also natural day light. Motorized shades are an important part of light and energy management. The shades/drapes can be programmed to rise with sun. The shades lower with the mid day sun, to protect upholstery, flooring and minimize energy spent on cooling. You adjust the shades to any level you choose using simple keypad buttons. The shades are whisper quiet in operation, offer a variety of privacy levels and come in a beautiful array of fabrics.
Visit these sites to learn more about these well engineered solutions for total optimization of both electric and natural light.
http://www.lutron.com/
http://www.crestron.com/
Automated and motorized window treatments will enhance your control of energy costs both in winter and summer. In winter, shades that automatically lower at dark will block heat from leaving your home. Conversely, in the summertime, shades that automatically lower during peak sunshine will prevent heat from coming in your home and straining your air conditioner. Fabrics come in an excellent variety of styles and colors. You need a certified professional to properly design, measure and install the ideal treatment for your home. Additionally, if you have a lutron or litetouch lighting control system, you can most likely be able to adjust your programming to minimize lighting consumption-little changes can make a big difference.
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?
I wrote this article for a magazine last summer. Based on the feedback I received, readers found this article helpful in visualizing how the latest technology can be seamlessly and invisibly integrated into the most classic home decor.
I’m usually the partner that is in the office, creating a website, calling on architects or trying to unravel the mystery of social media in an effort to spread awareness of our ever expanding technological offerings. Sadly, I don’t often see the end result of the hours of design, engineering, programming and installation performed by our talented crew. So, on a recent (and rare) sunny day I took the opportunity to visit a residential lake side project that we are bringing to completion. And despite the fact that I now have lake envy, I am thrilled on many levels that I took the time to see this marvelous home and the brilliant work of our team.
Imagine 15,000 square feet of lake side living, unobtrusively nestled in the moss and ferns and barely noticeable to the passing kayak. Despite the size, the home is nostalgic and inviting, like a child hood summer camp, complete with a soaring stone fireplace, 10 foot dining hall table, even boys and girls bunk ‘houses’. And, proudly, our team played a significant role creating this feeling of comfort while preserving the wistful charm.
These gracious clients invested many dollars in the technology of comfort, convenience, functionality and entertainment and entrusted us to keep it all out of site. Every bedroom has a flat panel TV hidden behind the doors of a cabinet designed to support and hide all of the wiring and peripheral components. Every room offers multiple sources of music and volume control easily accessed from a low profile touch panel control, not a wire in sight. The reclaimed chestnut rafters, soft wool upholstery and well loved board games are unaware of the 60” plasma TV, only visible when it rises on a motorized lift from the custom cabinet where it hides. No guest will ever fumble for a light switch as each room has labeled lighting control key pads which are programmed with preset lighting scenes specific to the space. And though this is a lake side retreat, the homeowners are afforded all of the conveniences of wired and wireless internet, cell phone coverage, iPod docking and video gaming.
We installed 3 1/2 miles of structured cable, hooked up hundreds of electronic components and spent countless hours programming to the client’s specific needs. But apart from enjoying all the fun and convenience you would hardly know we were ever there. Thank you, job well done!
Posted February 4th, 2010. 2 comments
