X10
 

I was looking for a way to link two lights on two separate circuits together and stumbled upon X10. I saw it's potential to be used to save energy and was wondering if anyone is using it or if you just use regular timers?

With the new house I want to limit my energy usage as much as possible, so I want to use timers for the air exchanger, the heat pump, the water heater and some lights. I am now considering using X10 devices.

The only person I know who has X10 uses it just because he likes it I think. I'd imagine it would be handy for power saving as well though.

The "heat pump, the water heater" are high wattage devices, and are likely 220vac too.

It looks like the best X10 module can do 4400 watts.
ActiveHome Pro: X10 Pro Switch

Is your hot water heater under that limit?

To use X10, it seems like you would need to add plugs to your hardwired appliances. Will they still meet code?


I'm curious if the 220 switches both sides of the line?
Since some 220 appliances use both 110 & 220, so a single switch may not do the trick.

You could just use a cheap 120V module (receiver, timer, sensor, whatever) to operate a contactor. A 2 pole, 40A contactor costs about $15 from an electrical supply store.

If you wanted to use a contactor (relay), you could still have the X-10 programing features, if you used the X-10 relay unit.

http://graphics.x10.com/images/um506.GIF_blue.gif

Universal Module - UM506

I've been thinking of one of these to control my Sanyo mini-split.
(Since it draws 40 to 60 watts in standby). I would use it with a 30 amp SSR.

Some heatpumps have auto-on after a grid failure. That might work
pretty well if the heatpump saw the X-10 shutdown as a power failure.

I recall that the Sanyo already has a big power relay, so you could just install a X10 module internally that only switches the relay coil. There are guides out there for modifying a cheap 120V module into a 240V module.
Home Automation Knowledge Base

Yeah, that relay is in all the time, it only de-energizes when the breaker is open,
or when a problem occurs (like over-pressure).

That manifold heater is adding a little to the e-bill when the weather is nice.
I try to keep and eye on the forecast, and keep the breaker open, on days like we've been having this week.
It won't be long and cold weather will be upon us again.. :(

I think using an SSR indoors, will be the most reliable way to go..
And I do have a few SSRs in stock. Might as well use what I've got.