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Home : Energy Efficient Products : Power Management : Home Automation

Home Automation

A home automation system can make your home safer and energy-efficient. Home automation systems allow you to have direct control over your home’s energy usage and can be designed to manage your home’s lighting, climate, doors and window shutters, security and surveillance systems, multi-media entertainment system, and other common household functions. They are also expandable and can be upgraded as needed to suit your changing needs.

Product Facts:

The three elements of any home automation system are controllers, sensors, and actuators (a device for controlling a system). The system allows for total control through either remote control or automatic control (depending on the system).
When home automation systems are installed in a new home, they require the installation of control wires. There are, however, applications for existing homes that do not require such an extensive system, including inexpensive over-the-counter systems.

Tips:

Make sure you know what you want and what you are getting when ordering and installing a home automation system. Contact an electrician or a certified installer (typically recommended by the retailer) since some of these systems require vast knowledge about their use and installation to be truly effective.
If cost is a concern, you should consider how complex the system is; the labor cost (for installation); your energy usage; the size of your home; and your energy rates.
If installed and used properly, your home automation system can typically pay for itself in a couple of years. The system will also increase the resale value of your home.

Consider using window fans, particularly in the evening when you can draw cooler air into the house.

Make sure floor & wall vents are not blocked by draperies, furniture, or rugs.

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