We haven't come as far as Ray Bradbury predicted, but putting appliances and HVAC comfort settings on a schedule makes sense in a green living home.
Automating the home is just what it implies; a set-and-forget strategy based on typical family occupancy and use of the home, with provisions for manual overrides. A remodeling project offers the perfect opportunity to update to these modern techniques.
Commercial buildings have been using these strategies for years. For example, hotels that rent out ballroom space often zone off the entire large space into smaller areas with retractable wall partitions, and pre-program start/stop times and temperature levels to individual or combined spaces a week in advance.
In the home environment, this effect is generally achieved using a 7-day programmable thermostat. When the household is asleep, the temperature is automatically moderated for lower human activity levels. About an hour before the alarm clock goes off, it reverts to a more comfortable setting.
Weekends typically constitute a special case and the thermostat can be programmed appropriately. With central air conditioner/heater HVAC systems, setting this up is an easy task.
Automating Home Security Systems
Guarding against home invasions and burglars is another convenient application for automation. Much like temperature control, exterior lighting can be controlled with a preset. A common synergistic application is to partner surveillance cameras and lights that are assigned specific on/off times with motion-activated spotlights.
When the home's occupants are off on vacation, interior lighting can be set up to come on and go off at specific (or random) times to give the illusion of a normal pattern of nocturnal activity.
Add to this mix a home security television simulator for a greater effect. What is a simulator? It is a spurious, simple “box” with a screen that doesn't actually show a scene, but emits simulated, typical glow, fades, flickering, camera panning, and changes of scenes that a real TV show does. With the curtains drawn, the effect is inextinguishable from the real thing, and may be the missing piece of the puzzle in a home security system to deter burglars.
Setting Up Appliances for Convenience
It's not all about simply saving money and providing security; it's also about just making our hectic lives easier to deal with by taking care of some of the pesky details. Believe it or not, integrating digital clock functions into every kitchen appliance is not only done to drive us crazy when daylight savings takes effect.
For example, many coffee makers will allow you to load the coffee grounds and water before going to bed and program it to start brewing when your alarm clock goes off. What could be better than having the coffee already made as you are hustling around trying to get off to work?
Many late-model appliances, especially the Energy Star rated ones, allow you to set the time they start operating. Why is this important? At first glance, it is simply another convenience. But in many parts of the country, important savings on electricity and water usage can be made by using these resources at off-peak times. In the long run, savings can really add up.
These are just a few ways that investing in home automation can make your life easier, safer, and a bit more frugal. If the past few years are any indication, this is a trend that will continue to escalate, particularly in new home construction where initial design takes it into consideration.
Kelly Smith - Kelly has over 30 years experience as a journeyman carpenter and 20 as a freelance writer and photographer.
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