Motion sensors

randen · 09-22-12, 08:59 AM

We have a home automation system. It uses a time/occupancy criteria. If you step in the front door after dusk the interior light will come on. After sunrise no light activation. There are areas of the house that have no switchs just the occupancy detectors. (hallways and stair areas) It is very handy it controls HVAC, waters the plants,lighting,and even the bathroom fans (whole home system). Would it save us money?? maybe enough over its complete life time. It is very vigilant for the exterior lighting. It never leaves a light on longer than programmed. Home ventilation is kicked on high for 10mins after someone has left the bathroom and not forgotten. Heating and cooling set-backs are nicely handled. The system is quite expensive and really needs to be installed while building the home new (lots of low voltage wiring). You would have to live in the house a very very long time to even think of ROI. The best bang for the buck is the new LEDs coupled with some of the new switches with timers built in. Even if a LED is forgotten and left on its just a few watts and life expectancy is exceptionally long. Even the new switches for bathroom fans have timers. A good programable thermostat will save plenty. Although the home automation has a cool factor I think the money could be spent in other areas to enhance energy savings. CFL/LED lighting, energy efficient windows, high performance insulation and more efficient heating cooling.

Randen

09-22-12, 08:59 AM	#15
randen Uber EcoRenovator Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Strathroy Ontario Canada Posts: 657 Thanks: 9 Thanked 191 Times in 129 Posts	We have a home automation system. It uses a time/occupancy criteria. If you step in the front door after dusk the interior light will come on. After sunrise no light activation. There are areas of the house that have no switchs just the occupancy detectors. (hallways and stair areas) It is very handy it controls HVAC, waters the plants,lighting,and even the bathroom fans (whole home system). Would it save us money?? maybe enough over its complete life time. It is very vigilant for the exterior lighting. It never leaves a light on longer than programmed. Home ventilation is kicked on high for 10mins after someone has left the bathroom and not forgotten. Heating and cooling set-backs are nicely handled. The system is quite expensive and really needs to be installed while building the home new (lots of low voltage wiring). You would have to live in the house a very very long time to even think of ROI. The best bang for the buck is the new LEDs coupled with some of the new switches with timers built in. Even if a LED is forgotten and left on its just a few watts and life expectancy is exceptionally long. Even the new switches for bathroom fans have timers. A good programable thermostat will save plenty. Although the home automation has a cool factor I think the money could be spent in other areas to enhance energy savings. CFL/LED lighting, energy efficient windows, high performance insulation and more efficient heating cooling. Randen