Smart Homes
Whether you prefer the futuristic functionality of the Jetson’s or just want to save money by designing an energy- and cost-efficient home, a “smart home” is the way to go. The smart home is a harmonious environment that includes a network of electronic gadgets coupled with energy-efficient design elements. Smart homes can be as intricate as turning on the oven from the office and pre-heating a turkey dinner, to instantly playing guests’ favorite music as they walk through the front door. While the average person may be interested in only a few gadgets, even the wildest dreamers can achieve their ideal smart home of the future.
Five years ago, smart homes were only for the very affluent, as many wired systems were extremely expensive. Today however, smart technology is available in a wide array of packages. The ability to control your lights, electronics, security system and HVAC systems is all based on structured wiring that unites around a network. Structured wiring is the backbone of the smart home, in which everything can be controlled by a computer, touch pad or voice recognition. Gadgets can be as complicated as an entire system that powers up the hot tub, lowers the lights and simultaneously turns on favorite music. Or, the system could control only lighting or air conditioning. The possibilities are limitless.
A truly smart home is one that reflects modern technology but also prepares for the future. Designed to save you money, the network feeds from one main source thus eliminating the need for several components. Imagine the advantage of feeding music into several rooms at once, and with some systems, playing different songs in each room. There is no longer the need for several CD players, and the same can be said for DVD players, receivers, speakers and satellite television. Being able to control your audio/video components from a single unit is one of the most popular requests for smart technology.
Increasingly popular is the ability to utilize the Internet for powering up electronics and checking in on the home front. With several builders offering “digital homes,” homeowners can access the Internet from remote locations to look in on their homes. Having a security system from anywhere offers a peace of mind to homeowners everywhere. Don’t have a laptop handy? The increasingly popular PDAs and cell phones are also devices that can access the Web and act as a remote for dialing in to your smart home. Imagine not having to wait all day for the cable guy to come and being able to quickly unlock the door from your office to let the repairman inside. Appliances are also using the Internet to simplify everyday activities. One microwave has been developed to download recipes off the Internet to aid in cooking and grant free time to the chef.
If the idea of complete home automation sounds a little robotic or expensive, think about a simpler system. Offered in several varieties, smart home packages are available in some form to just about anyone. The average smart home is based on a 2,000 square foot home, so even first-time buyers and young adults are capable of having a home of the future.
A truly smart home is one that integrates both technology and energy-efficient design. Wiring your home on the inside to power modern gadgets is only half of a truly smart home. The second part is utilizing the technology for cost and energy-efficiency. Pro-gramming your lights and HVAC system is both convenient and saves money. Through smart home technology, lights can turn on upon entry, turn off upon leaving, brighten or dim during formal meals, or even turn off in a nursery after a baby has fallen asleep. The assurance of knowing your lights aren’t left on for days, and the money it saves, will allow you to sleep better at night. Also nice is the ability to program lights to come on at certain times of the day, so if you are out of town the house doesn’t look completely dark.
Controlling your home’s HVAC system is as easy as a one-touch screen. Being able to conserve energy by only heating and cooling the rooms that you use is a rewarding alternative to wasting air-conditioning in bedrooms that family members are not currently occupying. Conversely, you can get a jump-start on a hot day by accessing the air-conditioning via remote control and cooling off the house before you ever set foot in the door!
Just as regulating energy indoors is important in a smart home, so is taking advantage of Mother Nature with the exterior. It is possible to have a smart home without having to spend a lot of money on expensive robotics. Not everyone is inclined to showcase the latest gadgets in their home, yet many still want the most for their money. Choosing a floor plan that promotes energy efficiency allows homeowners to maximize their home in a cost-effective manner. Easy to design, an energy-wise, smart home can save you hundreds to thousands of dollars per year. The time and effort invested in careful planning and product selection will repay you in a home that offers comfort, lower maintenance and a higher resale value.
Energy efficiency is largely decided by a home’s thermal envelope. Shielding the living spaces from the outdoors, the envelope or “seal” will enable your home to operate more efficiently and produce greater energy savings. Construction of your home determines how tightly it is sealed from the elements. Be sure to address air leakage, air ducts, thermal insulation and windows with your builder.
When choosing windows for your home, it’s important to check the U-Factor (issued by the National Fenestration Rating Council) for better insulation, and also shop for windows with a low-emissivity coating to help reduce heat loss, which is especially important in winter months. Also important is the location of your home. In the summer months, north, east and west-facing windows should be shaded from the sun by vertical shading devices such as shutters or external blinds. North-facing windows can be shaded by eaves or pergolas, which provide access for the winter sun.
Climate and lot locations are two big factors to consider when designing an energy-efficient home. If your lot has existing vegetation and surrounding shade, then heating and cooling costs are minimized thanks to a natural buffer zone. Also consider the direction of the sun. A south-facing home will be warmer in the winter, but hotter in the summer. By taking advantage of natural sunlight not only will you conserve energy, but also have a scenic way to watch the sun rise and set. Choosing a floor plan that places living areas such as the kitchen, family and dining rooms to the north of the home is also beneficial.
When it comes to conserving water, you’ll want to consider installing a hot water heater off the kitchen or laundry room as opposed to an unheated basement. With several new floor plans featuring second-floor utility rooms and first-floor master suites, hot water travels less distance and reduces electric and gas bills. By grouping rooms together that use hot water, you can ensure a more efficient use of your hot water system.
For a truly smart home, even your appliances and lighting systems can be designed to not only simplify your life through automation, but also conserve energy and save money. After examining your family’s needs, choose appliances that carry the Energy Star label. By choosing an Energy Star qualified washer, a typical household that does 400 loads of laundry per year would save 7000 gallons of water, as well as the energy to heat it. Also when choosing lighting products, choose lights with dimmer switches and motion-detector sensors to extend bulb life. Not only does this save money on your electric bill, but it also helps the environment!
For those who want to truly embrace the future, a smart home is a way to save money, utilize modern technology, conserve the environment and make daily living a whole lot easier.
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