Home automation systems (such as Colorado vNet and Control4) are becoming a necessary amenity in any high-end home, but are they also a new tool in our fight to reduce energy use and global warming? After all, these systems are designed so that you can control your high-end AV components, home security system, lighting and HVAC from one device (or via the web from somewhere else), so why not add energy conservation to the mix, right?
The idea is that these high tech systems will minimize or eliminate the wasted energy from lights left on by accident, vampire loads from home equipment in the “off” state, thermostats set too high or low for usage patterns or climate conditions, etc – the automation systems themselves will set things right even if you forget. We’ve certainly written about how important it is to kill of these wasteful elements, but are they big enough to warrant buying one of these systems just to reduce them?
There are some reasons to be skeptical. Above all, they’re expensive. The New York Times, in an article on these systems, said:
“Good home automation networks, which run all of the electronic and technologic gizmos in a home, have traditionally cost more than $30,000. Now, thanks in part to companies like Control4 and Colorado vNet, these systems can be had for as little as $5,000, says Sam Lucero, an ABI analyst.”
I don’t know about you, but to me $5,000 is quite a bit of money. You could argue that the electrical controls are only a small portion of the functionality and thus the effective investment is much less than $5K, but that’s not really true. You HAVE to install most of the components of such systems to get the energy-saving functionality to work (the central controller, a new thermostat, and special switches / outlets (costing $75+) at EVERY outlet of switch that is to be controlled), so you don’t really have an option of buying a $500 energy-only module.
In researching this post, I found quotes for $1,400 for a three-switch / one-outlet package ($350 per end use) and $3,600 for a ten-switch / one-outlet package ($330 per end use). At these prices, you’d have to save around 330 kilowatt-hours a year for each switch or outlet for the system to pay for itself in less than ten years. Just for comparison, that means if you had a 100-watt bulb on that circuit you’d have to SAVE 10 hrs of use every day of the year – impossible unless you regularly leave your lights on 24/7. Ouch! Why not get motion-sensing or timed switches and outlets for less than $50 apiece?
Also, these systems only really measure your electricity use, and in most homes electricity is less than 50% of the overall energy use and carbon footprint – the balance comes from other fuels used for heating, hot water and appliances such as heating oil, natural gas and propane.
Last, what about the many other simpler ways to save energy? We’ve cut our energy bills by 50% by installing LED and fluorescent lighting, buying energy-efficient appliances, improving insulation and using low-flow water fixtures (and we’ve spent far less than $2,500 so far). This quote also comes from the NY Times piece:
“Even energy-conscious people can go only so far in managing their home energy use. Sure, we can fiddle with our thermostats, shun incandescent light bulbs and bring in Energy Star appliances. Watching that new L.C.D. TV, however, might wipe out all those gains. But we just don’t know.”
Actually, we do know. If you’re serious about understanding and reducing your energy use, you can easily get 40-50% savings using pretty inexpensive techniques and gadgets. Unless you live in a 500 square foot apartment, a new LCD TV is not going to undo your energy conservation efforts!
So, don’t wait until you can afford a home automation system or solar panels to begin lowering your impact (although if our utilities ever kick in with rebates that make smart metering systems much more affordable, jump on them!). And don’t throw in the towel if you happen to have one or more large TVs. Install some fluorescent light bulbs and a programmable thermostat, and seal up leaks and cracks. Buy those low-flow water fixtures and replace dead appliances with high-efficiency Energy Star versions. Use light-sensing, power-sensing or timer-based switches or outlets. And measure it all using one of these simple devices. You’ll be amazed at the savings.
On the other hand, if you want to stream John Coltrane throughout your house but Jack Johnson out by the pool, and if you want to turn your lights on and open the garage door when you’re still five minutes from home, then by all means invest in home automation! And please invite us over to enjoy it …
The problem we’ve found with with a traditional programable thermostat is homeowners program them to what they “expect” life to be. But, as we all know, that’s pretty hard to guess. What if you go out of town on the weekend and forget to change your program? What if you work from home one day? When you use a thermostat with a Control4 or HAI thermostat, for example, your system knows when the home is unoccupied and adjusts accordingly with automatic setback every time you leave the home.
Remote monitoring can also play a key role for people who travel frequently or have vacation cabins. With remote monitoring, you can drop or raise the temperature of your home, by simply calling into the system or logging in via the internet. Check temperatures, adjust lighting if it’s after dark, or if you’re on your way out, make sure that the house is powered down. Make sure your home is being efficient, yet still cared for, while you are gone.
Some of the possibilities that are not mentioned… irrigation sensors responding to if it rained or not, allowing for sprinklers to water accordingly. Or, the ability to kill power to outlets of appliances that are not in use (yes, many still draw power even when in the “off” state).
I would agree with the statement, “Don’t wait until you can afford a home automation system or solar panels to begin lowering your impact.” I think it only makes sense to do what you can immediately. However, if you want to maximize your energy savings, and enjoy some fun and convenience with it I would recommend looking into these systems.
The problem we’ve found with with a traditional programable thermostat is homeowners program them to what they “expect” life to be. But, as we all know, that’s pretty hard to guess. What if you go out of town on the weekend and forget to change your program? What if you work from home one day? When you use a thermostat with a Control4 or HAI thermostat, for example, your system knows when the home is unoccupied and adjusts accordingly with automatic setback every time you leave the home.
Remote monitoring can also play a key role for people who travel frequently or have vacation cabins. With remote monitoring, you can drop or raise the temperature of your home, by simply calling into the system or logging in via the internet. Check temperatures, adjust lighting if it’s after dark, or if you’re on your way out, make sure that the house is powered down. Make sure your home is being efficient, yet still cared for, while you are gone.
Some of the possibilities that are not mentioned… irrigation sensors responding to if it rained or not, allowing for sprinklers to water accordingly. Or, the ability to kill power to outlets of appliances that are not in use (yes, many still draw power even when in the “off” state).
I would agree with the statement, “Don’t wait until you can afford a home automation system or solar panels to begin lowering your impact.” I think it only makes sense to do what you can immediately. However, if you want to maximize your energy savings, and enjoy some fun and convenience with it I would recommend looking into these systems.
These switches do come at a higher cost, but the customization possibilities are endless. These switches are much more than “on” or “off”. They can be programmed on several different modes, such as based on time of day. For example, if it’s the middle of the day, and you turn the light on, perhaps it only comes on to 20%. Or, if it’s at dusk, perhaps it comes on to 70%. When you go to bed, you can simply hit “all off” and rest assured nothing is left on, temperatures are dropped down, and your home is secure. When you have a large home, with 175 switches, the energy savings can be huge!
As for overall cost savings, the price of home automation has definitely dropped in pricing dramatically. And it actually can lead to overall savings in your energy bill versus your initial investment-but isn’t environmental energy conservation just as important regardless?
These switches do come at a higher cost, but the customization possibilities are endless. These switches are much more than “on” or “off”. They can be programmed on several different modes, such as based on time of day. For example, if it’s the middle of the day, and you turn the light on, perhaps it only comes on to 20%. Or, if it’s at dusk, perhaps it comes on to 70%. When you go to bed, you can simply hit “all off” and rest assured nothing is left on, temperatures are dropped down, and your home is secure. When you have a large home, with 175 switches, the energy savings can be huge!
As for overall cost savings, the price of home automation has definitely dropped in pricing dramatically. And it actually can lead to overall savings in your energy bill versus your initial investment-but isn’t environmental energy conservation just as important regardless?
Its happy to see your posting. Yes really informative article. I will tell this information to my friend, oh yes and we can share information to each other i’ll be back some time later for more updates.Thanks for sharing with us….
Its happy to see your posting. Yes really informative article. I will tell this information to my friend, oh yes and we can share information to each other i’ll be back some time later for more updates.Thanks for sharing with us….
I agree with most of your statements in that home automation has never had energy savings as a primary driver. It’s the ability to have centralized control over your living space that pushes most people to spend the money, and the energy savings are just a side benefit.
I agree with most of your statements in that home automation has never had energy savings as a primary driver. It’s the ability to have centralized control over your living space that pushes most people to spend the money, and the energy savings are just a side benefit.
Just did my home with automation and its expensive, but if the cost to setup outways your carbon footprint then its worth it
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