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Automation an easy way to run a home

LIGHT WORK: The use of technology to control home functions can play a major role in the conservation of energy in and around the house Photo: Thinkstock
LIGHT WORK: The use of technology to control home functions can play a major role in the conservation of energy in and around the house Photo: Thinkstock

IN THE past, we designed our homes for comfort, practicality and and aesthetics. However, we are now designing homes to be energy efficient.

As the green movement grows, home automation - the use of technology to control home functions - now plays a major role in energy conservation.

In addition to offering comfort and security, automating the home is the best way to regulate energy usage, and reduce costs of heating, cooling, lighting and water.

Lighting

We all know that we should switch off lights in unoccupied rooms, but lowering lamp intensity can also help you to save on energy costs. Home automation dimmers can decrease lamp intensity to 60% during off-peak times, which is a huge saving when you consider the number of lights in a house.

Motion sensors

Adding sensors to a system allows programmers to detect certain conditions and react accordingly.

For example, if the sensors detect that no one is in the room, energy-consuming home installations such as lights, entertainment systems and air conditioners can be switched off.

Temperature control

Temperature control is another way that home automation can be used to effectively control energy.

You can, for example, programme the thermostat to lower the temperature while you sleep and warm up again before you wake in the morning. You can place the system on a low setting during the day while you are out and increase the temperature before coming back home.

The same procedure applies for cooling in summer.

In addition to this, your system can help keep the sun's heat out by programming drape and curtain controllers - thereby reducing the work that your air conditioning system has to perform.

Gardens and irrigation

Controlling water usage is another key feature of automation, particularly when it comes to irrigating the garden.

Sprinklers can be operated only when required, with the automation system sensing soil moisture, rainfall and outside climate conditions by using probes.

Home automation systems can also be used for topping up water in swimming pools and water features by detecting water levels, and therefore avoiding overfilling.

There are many ways that technology and automation can be used for efficiency.

One method is an "eco mode" programme, which will automatically turn off 220-volt peripherals that aren't required - such as geysers, pool pumps and the air conditioner.

It can also be used for lighting, dimming the circuits and drawing less current and therefore less power.

With automation, it's easy to be green and you don't even have to compromise on comfort.

l Courtesy of Home Owner

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