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Deciding on a standard or a tankless water heater

Whether you’re building a new home or completing a home improvement project, you’ll eventually need a new water heater. That decision used to be relatively straightforward: there were tank water heaters available in gas and electric configurations, and that was that. However, with tankless systems now becoming more prominent in the market, deciding on that new water heater is more complicated. In this article, we’ll address the pros and cons of each type and identify the system that’s best for your home and budget.

All about tankless water heaters

Tankless water heaters, also known as “demand-type water heaters,” represent the cutting-edge in water heater technology, and they’re an increasingly popular option for homeowners looking for an energy-smart, convenient upgrade to their home. These systems are more energy-efficient than tank water heaters: since they only heat water as it’s needed, there’s little energy wasted keeping water warm over sustained periods of time. Over the years, this can add up to major savings for homeowners, especially when you consider that tankless systems can last twice as long as standard water heaters.

Of course, the most famous upside of tankless water heaters is the unlimited hot water. Any homeowner with a large family knows the cold consequences of being the last one to take a shower. That’s because continuous use exhausted the pre-heated supply in a tank water heater. Since tankless systems heat water as it runs through the unit, they eliminate that problem entirely.

As tank water heaters near the end of their lives, there’s a risk that corrosion inside the tank could cause a tank burst—an event with the potential to cause major water damage in your home. Tankless water heaters, on the other hand, do not carry this risk.

Whole-home or one for each room?

Most tankless water heaters are capable of providing hot water to your entire home. However, it’s also possible to “zone” your demand-type water heaters, putting them under sinks and behind showers. This means that you can have near-instantaneous, unlimited hot water at that tap specifically. Whole-home tankless water heaters are limited in their ability to provide hot water to multiple taps, appliances, and faucets simultaneously. By zoning your systems, you won’t have this disadvantage.

Standard water heaters

Tank water heaters, also known as “standard water heaters,” have been a reliable staple of the American home for more than a century. Most homes today still use a standard water heater, and for several good reasons. First, most homes are configured for them. Even though these systems do take up space, many homes have reserved space in the garage, a utility closet, or elsewhere in the home for a water heater, complete with all the needed connections.

Second, these water heaters make up for their capped total hot water supply by being able to provide hot water in large quantities simultaneously. With a tank water heater, you can run your dishwasher, washing machine, and shower at the same time. Since tankless systems heat water as its needed, the total water required at once in such a scenario would probably exceed the demand-type water heater’s ability to keep up.

Comparing performance and costs

Tankless water heaters are the more energy-efficient of your two choices. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, demand-type water heaters use as much as 30% less energy than standard water heaters. When you consider that heating water is the second-largest chunk of energy spent in your home (14%), this can add up to big savings on your monthly utility bills. These savings are even greater with a gas setup, if your home has that option. Gas water heaters run more efficient than electric ones do.

At this point, you may very well be asking yourself why you should consider a standard water heater at all. Well, here’s one thing to consider: tankless systems can cost anywhere from 2-3 times of what a tank water heater typically does. You’ll earn back some of that additional upfront cost in your lower energy bills over the lifespan of the system, and there’s a good chance your tankless unit could outlive two standard ones, but the higher initial investment is something to weigh against the otherwise outstanding benefits of demand-type units. Also, no matter which type of water heater you’re looking at, most gas systems cost more than their electric counterparts.

Which is right for your home?

This answer comes down to a few key factors. If you’re planning on staying in your home for the long haul, you’ll get the most out of the energy savings offered by a tankless water heater. A demand-type system might also make sense if you have a large family and you’re all sick of running out of hot water in the mornings. On the other hand, a standard water heater might be a better fit for your budget. If you’re planning on moving in the very near future, a tankless water heater represents an investment you may not be around to see the long-term returns on.

Better yet, talk to a trusted local plumbing contractor. They’ll be able to make an individualized recommendation that takes into account your home, your local energy costs, and any energy-efficiency upgrade rebates in your area. Plus, once you’ve made your decision, you’ll have a team ready to install your new water heater—no matter which one you choose.

Victoria Sanders is the communications director and plumbing writer at Reimer Home Services , a professional home repair & plumbing company servicing Western New York. Victoria has been working within the home repair & plumbing industry for almost 15 years and enjoys sharing her plumbing knowledge with homeowners and other home repair professionals.

Automate Your Life: 4 Technologies to Make Your Home Smarter

The smart home of the future that you grew up watching on Saturday morning cartoons is now becoming a reality. Although we’re still waiting for robot maids and flying cars, the following four futuristic technologies can make your home smarter today.

A Smarter Thermostat

How many times have you arrived at work and realized that you forgot to turn the thermostat down before you left home? A smart thermostat eliminates this problem by allowing you to adjust temperature settings anywhere from an app on your phone. These high-tech thermostats can also be programmed to adjust the temperature automatically, and some even learn your preferences. A smart thermostat quickly pays for itself by reducing energy usage.

A Smarter Vacuum Cleaner

Nobody loves to vacuum floors. Thanks to the robotic vacuum cleaner, you no longer have to. The newest robot vacuums utilize a Wi-Fi connection and smart apps to employ a ton of useful new features. These machines can detect dirty areas, easily maneuver around furniture, and automatically return to a charging station when not in use. Use your phone to control your robot vacuum from the couch or set it up so it automatically does its thing while you’re out of the house.

A Smarter Lightbulb

The humble lightbulb has come a long way since the days of Thomas Edison. Long-lasting, energy-sipping LED bulbs are quickly gaining popularity, and smart lightbulbs are the most advanced type on the market. Smart bulbs are available with a variety of styles and features. The most basic types allow for simple adjustments of brightness and color. More advanced bulbs can be synced to your television for perfect entertainment lighting or use GPS to turn the lights on when you arrive home.

A Smarter Fridge

Smart refrigerators take the kitchen dry-erase board to a new level. A smart fridge’s touch screen combines grocery lists, messaging, and internet browsing, but there is more to this technology than just a screen. A smart fridge can show you what’s inside without opening the door and give you a remote view via your phone when you’re at the grocery store. All this is made possible by printed circuit board technologies like multilayer and rigid flex circuit boards.

Whether you go big or small, adding smart technologies can save both time and money. Check with your utility company to see if they offer rebates for energy-saving improvements like smart thermostats and lightbulbs. Your smart upgrade may cost little or nothing.

The 7 Best Energy Efficiency Apps for Your Home (Infographic)

The words “energy efficiency” seem to be on the lips of many homeowners these days. Going green seems to be the new vogue with more and more people striving to reduce the energy they consume on a daily basis.

So, why should you consider improving the energy efficiency of your home? The most obvious reason is that energy efficient homes are better for the environment. About 22% of all energy consumption and 17% of greenhouse gas emissions comes from the residential sector. By taking a few simple steps, you can dramatically slash the environmental impact of your home.

Not only does improving your home’s energy efficiency help the planet, but such renovations have also been shown to yield fantastic financial benefits. Although such projects do cost money up-front, in many cases these investments are rapidly earned back in the form of reduced energy costs and added property value. For example, a typical energy efficient home saves homeowners $35 a month in energy costs.

As we all know, it’s not easy being green sometimes. If you are interested in greening your home but don’t know where to start you may want to consider using technology. The past few years have seen a slew of extremely useful mobile phone apps come on to the market which aim to help homeowners “green” their properties one notification at a time. No matter what size your project is, there will be an app to help you. However, with countless apps to choose from, it can be difficult to find the one that’s right for your needs.

Fortunately, the team at Calgary Window & Door Guys have produced a highly useful infographic guide which lays out the some of the best energy efficiency apps currently available. Ranging from the practical to the playful, each of the featured apps offers a unique way of assisting you with your home improvement project.

the-7-best-energy-efficiency-apps-for-your-home-infographic

7 Home Improvement Tips to Make Your House Energy Efficient

energy efficient home

We are fortunate to be living in an era of fast paced technological development and innovation. You can find smart technologies, transportation efficiencies and useful appliances for almost any application which makes it easier for us to live with a smaller carbon footprint. With all these amazing innovations, why don’t people live greener lives? It is a common belief that going green is too expensive, but we are here to set the record straight.

If each one of us made at least one eco-friendly change, there would be significant impacts to the universe, our communities and our energy bills.

Energy efficiency means reducing the impact on the environment by consuming less energy. Energy efficient solutions promote a healthier environment, particularly for those suffering from modern-day conditions such as asthma or allergies.

With that in mind, here are 7 simple steps to help you make your home energy-efficient.

1.      Replace Incandescent Bulbs with Florescent bulbs

Halogen bulbs, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs offer you long-lasting light and are more energy-efficient than the old incandescent bulbs. Since the average home uses at least 20 bulbs, switching to greener bulbs is an excellent way to save your money.

2.      Install Solar Panels

Solar panels are not cheap, but they are becoming trendy ways to heat your water and generate electricity for houses. They assist in saving money on energy bills, they promote lower fossil fuel usage, and they even help you qualify for annual tax incentives. Just install a solar system on your roof and cut down your electricity costs by generating energy independently.

3.      Perform an Energy Audit.

By hiring a professional energy auditor, they can evaluate the inefficiencies and wasted energy in your home. They will help you in pinpointing saving opportunities and identify the areas that need improvements.

4.      Add Insulation to Your Home

Insulation can help seal air leaks and improve your home’s heating and cooling costs. The idea is to make sure that you install proper insulation, weather stripping and other insulating techniques throughout your house, and you can do this yourself, or seek the services of an expert. If you hire an expert, ensure that they conform to HSE regulations in terms of safety gear and safety precautions and that they have a green energy certification.

5.      Upgrade or replace your windows

If you have old and leaky windows, you might need to replace them with energy-efficient models or to boost their efficiency with weather-stripping and storm windows.  Double panel windows and other vinyl frames are way energy-efficient than single pane windows and aluminum frames. You may also want to consider tinting your windows and keeping your drapes open to let in some light.

6.      Purchase energy efficient appliances

When shopping for new appliances to help make your home more energy efficient, look for devices that have the HE logo.  High energy-star certified appliances use less power, and while the upfront capital outlay needs to be considered, they are a long term investment. According to ByPurify, an energy star certified ionic air purifier consumes around 40% less energy than a standard air purifier, this equates to a saving of around $30 per year (and saves 225 kWh/year!)

7.      Consider having a Programmable Thermostat

When you are not around, set your thermostat to a high temperature in the summer and to a low temp in the cold months. A programmable thermostat does not cost a lot, and they help you reduce your energy usage.

In conclusion, everyone should be able to find at least one or two things to do to ‘greenify’ your home even if you have a tight budget. By considering these steps, you will save energy and reduce the amount that you need to spend every month on electricity and heating.

 

 

The Road towards a Truly Energy-Efficient Master Bathroom

bathroom

The bathroom, along with the kitchen, is the most wasteful area in a modern household. Across the globe, homeowners are becoming increasingly aware of the consequences the modern lifestyle and resource-spending habits are having on the deteriorating eco-system, as well as their household budget.

In the wake of climate change and the growing scarcity of natural resources such as water and electricity, it is the duty of every household to optimize its spending across the board. Here is how to transform your master bathroom into an oasis of energy efficiency, effectively helping in the preservation of the environment and making long-term financial savings at the same time.

Replacing the traditional shower head

With the majority of traditional shower heads having a high flow rate (more than 2.5 gallons per minute), they cannot exactly bear the ribbon of water or energy efficiency. Quite the contrary, traditional showerheads greatly contribute to water waste in the modern household.

However, you can effectively cut down on water consumption while showering by simply replacing your old showerhead with a high-efficiency model that maintains pressure but lowers flow rate. Don’t worry, you won’t be able to tell the difference, but you will notice a decrease in water waste immediately.

Choosing energy-efficient lighting

Energy-efficient lighting is a staple of green living in the modern world, and just like you would introduce energy-saving light bulbs in other parts of your household, you want to introduce them in the master bathroom as well. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t stick to the healthy habit of turning the lights off when the bathroom is not in use.

Instead of traditional incandescent light bulbs, consider efficient LED lighting or even modern smart light bulbs that you can control from your smartphone, set the mood just right, and even change their colour with the push of a button.

shower

Conserving energy with a modern hot water system

Out of all the energy-efficient and water-saving solutions you can introduce into the room, switching up your hot water system will make the biggest impact on your overall spending and help you reduce your carbon footprint.

Modern solutions such as a highly efficient gas storage hot water system aim to minimise energy consumption while accommodating the needs of a growing family. This way, they do not only help decrease financial expenditure, but also aid in preserving the environment. When replacing your hot water system, be sure to work with a company that will safely and efficiently dispose of your old unit.

Opting for low-flow toilets

Modern homes usually already have a dual-flush toilet installed, allowing you to control water consumption per flush. However, if you don’t have a dual-flush toilet, you can opt to install a flush converter that will allow you to change the flush settings depending on your needs.

This simple addition can go a long way in reducing water waste in your home, as the amount of water regular flushing consumes is much more than an average situation requires. Just like the efficient shower head, the low-flow toilet will not sacrifice water pressure, just the amount of water used per flush.

Don’t forget about the faucets either

High-efficiency faucets, or faucet aerators, are not only readily available at any home centre but they are also affordable and highly effective amenities that can cut your water usage in half immediately. Much like the low-flow toilet or the efficient showerhead, faucet aerators reduce water consumption but preserve water pressure, so you will be able to reduce water waste without sacrificing a truly enjoyable bathroom experience.

While you’re upgrading your faucets, make sure you inspect the plumbing around the bathroom, and fix any leaks in the process. This will further help minimize water waste and in turn, elevate energy efficiency as well.

In the modern world, water or energy efficiency is no longer an option, but rather it has become the duty of every household to aid in the preservation of the environment in hopes of creating a better tomorrow. What’s more, by introducing these effective solutions into your master bathroom, you will be able to make long-term financial savings in the process.

 

 

Energy-Efficient Home Improvements That Save Money

energy efficient home improvement tips

With energy costs on the rise, it’s more important than ever for homeowners to look for ways to reduce the amount of energy they use. Luckily, there are several home improvements you can make that will not only help save you money but also increase your property’s value.

While some require a decent initial investment, others are relatively cheap to implement, and all will pay for themselves over time. We take a look at some of the top energy-efficient home upgrades you can make that are great for both the environment and your bank account.

Install Solar Panels

Solar panels are becoming more and more popular, and it’s not just because people are starting to care more about the environment. In fact, a recent survey by Lendi found that the main motivation Australians would have for installing solar panels on their homes would be to save money, with 60.5% of respondents looking to reduce their power bill, and only 38.2% being interested in doing so for environmental reasons.

Besides generating heat and reducing your overall bills, solar panels also generate energy that can be used to power your home and any extra can even be sold back to the grid for someone else to use. So, not only are you able to save money on your energy bills, but you may even be able to earn some money in the process.

Swap High-Energy Appliances for More Efficient Models

You would be surprised to learn just how much inefficient appliances could be adding to your energy bills each month. The biggest culprits in the home are water heaters, dehumidifiers, heating systems, air conditioning, and refrigerators. So, if any of these appliances haven’t been updated for many years, it may be time to consider purchasing a new one.

Heating systems are usually considered inefficient by today’s standard if they are more than 15 to 20 years old, while air conditioning systems that are more than ten years old may already need to be replaced. While you will need to spend some cash on a new appliance, making the switch is a great way to save money in the long run.

Insulate and Get Rid of Drafts

Poorly insulated roofs and walls could be costing you as much as $200 a year extra in energy bills. Rather than allowing heat to escape, lay down some decent loft insulation and you’ll also help keep your house cool during the warmer seasons.

As well as improving loft insulation, be sure to get a good seal on your doors and windows to avoid air leaks. You can eliminate drafts on windows by adding weather stripping or caulking and purchase stick-on insulation to run down the sides of doors that have a bit of a draft. Older windows, however, may need to be replaced altogether as sealing around the frame may not suffice.

Another trick to help keep the heat in is to hang thick curtains over windows. Not only will this help to improve comfort and reduce energy bills, but it will also help improve the aesthetics of your home.

Improve The Lighting

Did you know that lighting can account for up to a third of your total electricity consumption? There are several ways you can reduce the amount you spend on lighting, including installing new light fixtures or even switching to LED or CFL bulbs.

If you want to reduce your reliance on electricity altogether, then focus on natural lighting. You can install larger windows or skylights that allow more sunlight into your home, which not only reduces your need for artificial lighting but also adds some free natural warmth to your home during the winter.

Monitor Your Energy Use

One simple home improvement you can make is purchasing an energy monitor, which allows you to watch your energy consumption closely. Some gas and electricity companies give these out for free, so be sure to check with yours first before going off and purchasing one yourself. However, they are relatively cheap to buy if you consider how much they could help you save.

Try placing it in a commonly used area, such as the kitchen so that the whole family can see it. Being able to see how much energy you are using makes it easier to cut back as it acts as a constant reminder of how much you’re spending.

 

Residential Energy Improvements That Really Pay Off

Residential Energy Improvements That Really Pay Off

Going green and making home energy improvements is a sure way to turn your home into a more eco-friendly, sustainable and healthy environment for you and your family. There are multiple benefits to energy retrofits: you reduce your carbon footprint, add value to your home and cut your utility bills, which enables you to invest your money into other areas of your life and have a healthier and more satisfying lifestyle.

Each home is different and the choice of retrofitting solutions is large, so it’s best to do detailed research to find out what would be the most effective system for you that will give you highest returns without clearing out your bank account.

Here are some ideas on how to realize your energy improvement project in the most cost-effective way.

Budget-friendly retrofits

Even on a very small budget, you can easily start your energy-saving retrofits by replacing your traditional light bulbs with LED ones. Their biggest advantage is the amount of energy they consume, which is about 25-80% less than the traditional lights. In addition to this, they can last from 5 to 25 times longer. In this way, they will save you a lot of energy and cut your power bill significantly.

Another big energy consumer in your home is your kitchen equipment. Investing in replacing your existing kitchen appliances with those marked Energy Star will not only cut your energy bill but it will also add to the resale value of your home.

Finally, there’s your heating/cooling system. With the traditional HVAC system, make sure the filters are cleaned on a regular basis so the system doesn’t go into overdrive to achieve the same results. Having a thermostat installed is a great addition as it gives you the option to set the climate control system so it reaches the optimal temperature at minimal cost.

solar-system

Serious upgrades

According to more experienced homeowners who have done some energy retrofitting to their homes, the best way to go is to combine the installation of energy-efficient equipment with other, more serious upgrades, such as new doors and windows, home insulation and solar panels. By doing this, the energy savings become more obvious and tangible.

However, most people do not opt for these improvements unless they are absolutely necessary and mostly because their price tag is quite big. You can get great advice from energy experts and inspectors who can help you choose the best improvements for your home. Another great option is applying for additional budgeting options, such as the Ygrene Home Improvement Financing, for instance, which can help you pay for all of your larger upgrades with no upfront costs and balloon payments, with just one competitive rate locked long-term and paid through your property tax.

With additional funds available, you can opt for a bundle package that includes your doors and windows, insulation and solar panels.

Newer models of energy-efficient windows and doors are great at eliminating drafts and regulating the indoor temperature. They are more expensive, but well worth the investment in the long run.

Insulating your home is one of the best retrofits that you can do as proper insulation from the basement to the attic significantly reduces heat loss and saves overall heating/cooling costs.

The final option to consider is installing solar panels that greatly contribute to the general energy-efficiency of your home in addition to being one of the best eco-friendly upgrades that give you an environmentally-friendly source of energy and lower your carbon footprint.

Home energy improvements are not a passing trend but an ongoing process that can significantly improve the quality and comfort of our daily lives and seriously reduce our carbon footprint and demand we impose on natural resources. With all the affordable financing options, this goal is easily achievable but if you don’t take the plunge, you aren’t saving anything yet. And, there’s no better time to start than right now!

6 Plumbing Upgrades And Fixes That Lead To A Greener Home

bathroom

Green building refers to energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, sustainable materials, and insulated windows and walls. Today, green plumbing is also becoming popular because water consumption is a huge factor in any building’s environmental footprint (incidentally, drought-prone Australia has led the green plumbing movement).

‘Greening’ your plumbing will reduce your home energy costs. But apart from improving your utility bills, green plumbing also provides cleaner water and conserves valuable water resources. Most importantly, going green is about passing a better world to the next generations. It helps the environment by saving energy and water and using eco-friendly materials.

Here are some of the plumbing upgrades and fixes that property owners today must consider to attain a greener home. To make sure that these fixtures run efficiently, you must hire a licensed plumber install them.

1. Low-Flow Showerheads

Normal-flow showerheads make use of about six to seven gallons every minute, and the water comes out at 80 psi. If you want to use less water with normal showerheads, the stream is flat and insubstantial, which offers an unsatisfactory shower experience.

Low-flow showerheads will solve this problem by forcing the water towards a narrower opening. In turn, this will reduce the amount of water that will come out while maintaining the pressure at 80 psi for a strong stream.

There are two design types allowing you to get a reduced water flow without the need to sacrifice water pressure. The laminar design uses individual parallel water streams that will reduce the stream while showering. The other type is the aerator design, which pulls air via the air ducts.

2. Eco-Friendly Toilets

The conventional toilet makes use of about 13.25-18.93 litres (3.5 to 5 gallons) of water every time you flush. The older versions use about 26.5 litres (7 gallons) of water. Toilets made after 1992 uses 6 litres (1.6 gallons) of water per flush. Today, new designs with eco-friendly features are more in-demand. They only make use of 4.85 litres (1.28 gallons) per flush. So get a new toilet now to conserve more water.

3. Up-to-date Taps

Old taps use plenty of water and their inefficiency increases as they age. Most modern styles of taps have luxury features like longer tap heads, low-flow designs, portable extensions, and convenient handless water shut off for better functionality. Surely, you will be amazed at the different options available in the market today.

Adding an aerator to these taps can also save water and money. Aerators will increase water pressure by adding air to water flow whilst reducing the amount of water used.

4. Tankless Water Heaters

Although conventional water heaters have improved when it comes to energy efficiency, they still waste a significant amount of money. They let the water sit in the tank whilst continually heating it until the household is ready to use it. And when you are ready to use it, you have to wait for it to get hot. No wonder today’s tankless water heaters are popular.

Tankless water heaters will warm water on demand, which saves an incredible amount of energy while making sure that you don’t run out of hot water. This kind of water heater is an excellent water-saving option that is also worth evaluating.

5. Piping and Insulation

Most plumbing systems in homes aren’t insulated properly; this will cause heat loss, making your water heater work harder. Plumbing experts recommend insulating your pipes as soon as possible.

Older pipes with galvanized steel easily corrode, thus blocking the system. Grey or blue poly, on the other hand, are prone to leaks. As such, you must let the experts in plumbing services replace your old pipes today.

6. Modern Appliances

The most visible feature of a plumbing system would be the appliances. Updating your appliances to their eco-friendly versions will add significant value to your home. Most modern appliances require a smaller amount of water while providing superior functionality. Consider switching out the refrigerator, dishwasher, and washing machine for new models. This upfront investment will pay off well in the long run.

Do not wait for your plumbing fixtures to break down or malfunction before making an upgrade. You must start conserving water and saving money on water bills. If you don’t upgrade your plumbing system, you could literally be flushing your hard-earned money down the drain.

AUTHOR BIO

Based in South Melbourne, Blue Diamond Plumbing was founded in 1985, working on new homes, repairs and commercial contracts. Over time they have grown to become some of the best plumbers Melbourne has to offer. Since 2001 the company has specialised in Emergency Plumbing and Property Maintenance, Repairs and Renovations for homes and businesses in Melbourne and inner city suburbs. Owner Rod Diamond has over 30 years experience with emergency plumbing in Melbourne’s inner suburbs.

 

Stellar Smart Home: How to Set Up Automation in Your House

Home automation covers a broad range of appliances, amenities, and other conveniences. Given the large scale of household chores and activities that can be carried out automatically, automating your home can superficially appear both daunting and expensive. However, once you understand the broad strokes of creating a smart home, from setting up a central hub to figuring out which tasks you’d like to connect to the system, it’s both reasonably affordable and easy to set up and maintain a home automation system from a company like AMP Smart.

smart-home

The Basics

The first step in setting up automation in your home is determining which tasks you’d like your system to manage. Creating a smart home leaves plenty of room for customization and no two smart homes will be exactly alike. Generally speaking, you can look at automation as dividing into two distinct categories: devices and amenities. The device category includes audio and visual entertainment systems, computers, and appliances like washers and dryers. Amenities includes lighting, sprinklers, heating and air conditioning, security systems with cameras and door alarms, and other larger-scale systems in and around your home.

While these devices can be automated on a one-to-one basis, the best approach is to create a central control hub for the ultimate smart home experience. This central hub can be a physical unit or control panel, but it can also be achieved through apps that work with your existing tablet or smartphone, though this may depend on the scale of the system, and some mixing and matching is possible. A tablet offers more on-the-go control, but a dedicated console is inherently more secure because it is stationary.

Home automation uses a broad range of protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and more specialized platforms like Z-Wave, Thread, Zigbee, and X-10. While the choice is ultimately up to you, a mixed approach built around wi-fi and Z-wave is commonly suggested, as you’re likely experienced with wi-fi and Z-wave has widespread support on a range of devices and systems.

Where to Start

If this is your first time automating aspects of your household, you’ll likely want to do a mix of devices and amenities. Stick with the amenities you already have before adding additional systems like security or smart lawn irrigation. Your HVAC amenities, which includes your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning are a perfect starting point. Smart thermostats are surprisingly affordable and simple to install. As a bonus, homeowners with a smart thermostat save around 10 percent annually on energy bills, meaning you’ll quickly recoup the cost of the unit.

Smart light switches and outlets are another house-wide amenity that can easily be adapted. Light timers have been popular for decades as both a convenience and handy security feature and can now be integrated into a larger smart home system. By integrating these with smart switches and outlets, you can not only automate your indoor and outdoor lighting, but also remotely control power to a whole range of devices, be it computers and printers, kitchen appliances, or your washer and dryer units.

Automating your devices can be more involved than just remotely controlling their power supply. There’s a broad range of wireless devices that can be linked up to a central hub for ease of control. One of the more interesting features these offer is the use of smart sensors. By detecting your comings and goings, smart sensors can automatically turn lights and devices on and off depending on whether or not you’re home or in a specific room. They aren’t essential, but are definitely a huge convenience and set your system apart from other smart homes. As said, there are a broad range of devices with smart and automated capabilities, including integrated home audio systems, surveillance cameras, and even coffee pots.

The Sky’s the Limit

The level of automation achievable in your home is really only limited by your imagination. Now that a few generations of products have been released, the cost has settled to a point where it’s possible to have smart home features on any budget. Familiarize yourself with the various protocols used for smart technology and try to aim for consistency, as this will ease the process of placing all your devices and amenities under a central control hub. Focus on automating things you use every day, like lighting or heating, and from there branch out into more exotic implementations.

Guest Post By:

Dixie Somers / Freelance Writer
dixiesomers@gmail.com

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The Smart Buildings Of The Future – Infographic

Time and Technology are running at a very fast pace. This is the age of Smart Technology in every aspect. Smart Phones, Smart Electronics, Smart Automobiles, Smart Infrastructure, Smart Buildings and the list goes on.

The Technology is evolving over the decades but has harmed the Planet earth a big way. Over Usage of Natural Resources, pollution and emissions etc. have burnt a hole in the layers of Mother Earth. Every nation is fighting to curb this menace and imbibe all the Smart ways to go green and secure mankind and our planet. Architects & Engineers are infusing Smart technologies to design smart buildings for minimum energy consumption, low emissions, reduced water usage, utilization of sunlight and enhancing outdoor greenery.

Here is an Infographic by RubberBond, depicting the Smart Buildings of the Future.
”The
The Smart Buildings Of The Future by Rubber Bond.

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