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Broad Features
Electronic control
begins to come into it's own when a house has multiple energy sources such as gas,
solar thermal, photovoltaic and geothermal.
However, in addition to managing heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC), they can also
incorporate a combination of the features below.
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Security
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Lighting
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Communication
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House-wide control points
- Home
entertainment
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Lifestyle settings
Energy Efficiency
Electronic control systems rely upon
a variety of sensors around the home which monitor conditions ranging from temperature
and humidity to wind speeds and direction.
This allows the system to select the most appropriate solution for maintaining the indoor
environment within set parameters. For example, the lowest carbon solution to minor overheating
is often simply to open windows, and by monitoring rainfall or occupation these can be operated
automatically without impacting negatively on security.
Weather compensation can also be used in the above scenario to ensure that windows on the correct
faces of the building are opened to ensure that the minimum number of changes will be required
(automatic windows can be noisy!) and that the building will not cool too rapidly, creating an
undesirable draft. Similarly, the system can gauge the 'wind chill' factor in addition to the
temperature outisde.
When an active energy source is eventually required, the system can ensure that the one with the lowest
carbon footprint is operated first where apppropriate. For example, on a cloudy, still day gas heating
may realistically be the most appropriate solution, especially for significant changes in temperature
such as from cold after the house has been unoccupied for some time (your solar thermal components may
not be able to reach as high temperatures on such a day as a gas fired condensing boiler).
As already mentioned above, many of these functions rely upon the patterns and lifestyle of occupation.
It makes sense for the house to be closer to ambient temperatures when unoccupied and programmed to
'know' when the occupier is returning from work or holiday. In a more complex scenario, it is useful to
feed into the system which bedrooms are occupied, for example when children return. Similarly, it is commonly
desirable for the grandparents bedroom to be warmer than the children's.
Control
Terminals
Electronic control systems can be interfaced with
in a number of ways. Automated control sources can include sensors (see above), weather reports and occupants'
calendar schedules.
Fixed control points can include light switches, home computers, individual radiator controls and touchscreen panels.
It is common to have a main fixed control panel within a home and then cheaper, more mobile control units elsewhere.
Naturally, a graphics-based unit will generally be more expensive than a text-based one.
Increasingly, manufacturers are also recongnising the role of everyday devices such as mobile phones, laptops
and 24/7 global access via the internet. This can also include multi-function remote controls for
a variety of sytems and functions (home entertainment, lighting and security, for example).
Communication
By thinking in advance about the communication solutions
within the home, you can save time and money, whilst minimising the number of appliances you require.
Email and the internet are being integrated deeper into lifestyles and household technology, with TV programs moving online and recipes
moving into videos on handheld devices. Information and media sharing across the family are sure to increase, even if
Microsoft's 'virtual noticeboard' is a little uneccesary for the average household. Laptops, and their lightweight counterpart
the 'netbook,' are generally the key part of the puzzle.
Email and the internet are being integrated deeper into household technology, with TV programs moving online and recipes
moving onto videos on handheld devices. Information and media sharing across the family are sure to increase, even if
Microsoft's 'virtual noticeboard' is a little uneccesary for the average household.
Voice over IP (VOIP) telephones have made strong progress into the workplace due to benefits such as flexibility
of connection points (they can be linked to a wireless network), lower costs as more than one conversation can be
sent through the same connection, and remote access. This technology may find itself more popular as more people
work from home in flats with communal service providers.
Although video-phones have been around for many years, they have yet to take off, however, the ever-increasing bandwidth
and distances between acquaintances would suggest that their success is inevitable and may have some benefits in
terms of carbon consumption. Video intercoms, however, have become more commonplace and can provide additional security
when linked with CCTV systems where sight of the entrance to the property is not possible. Note that black and white is often
an acceptable level of fidelity for this purpose.
Security
CCTV, intercom,
remote monitoring and text/email updates, simulated occupancy, gate and door
locks.
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Home Entertainment
Sources, transmission (analog/digital
and distance), flexibility, specific devices.
Customisation
Works with
Infrared remote controls, new lifestyle settings, renaming buttons, timers,
etc.
Flexibility
Support, upgrades,
dialogue with manufacturers.
Consumption
Monitoring
Energy and water.
Difference between power and (Watts) and current (Amps). Helps change
behaviour and understand the decisions you make.
Artificial
Intelligence
Notices difference
in warm-up/down times (e.g. new rug, moved furniture), remembers amount of
heat left in the system after boiler shutdown, optimum early start, etc.
Installation
Self-install or
third party. Second-fix or full installation?
Supplier Location
A closer supplier will save
time, money and impact on the environment.
Price
Naturally, price is also an
important factor as you may be able to achieve a lower impact upon the
environment or better improvements to your lifestyle by investing elsewhere.
One point worth considering is that electronic control systems can protect the life
span of some appliances by distributing requirements across multiple heating appliances,
for example. They can also prevent 'short-cycling,' which is where an appliance flicks on
and off to maintain temperature at an inefficient or degrading frequency. Consult your
manufacturers' manuals for further information to ensure that your setttings are correct.
Sources
http://adaptcontrol.com
http://radiantcontrol.com
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