[GBlist] Smart Controls

["Mike Rogers" <rogers.mike@verizon.net>]

I offer a different point of view.  If an excellent "smart comprehensive control system" costs around $2/s.f., that's about $4,000 for a 2000sf home.  If the home is built properly with good EE detailing, it can be heated (in my extreme-for-the-US climate) for $200/year, with more--but relatively small--possible savings from fancy controls.  And if it's really efficient, the mechanicals and the controls become less important...because there is less need for them.  I'm not arguing against high-tech control systems as much as I'm arguing for smart design and construction of the home's envelope.

 

-Mike

----- Original Message -----

From: Steven Shepard

To: greenbuilding@crest.org

Sent: Thursday, January 03, 2002 2:33 PM

Subject: Re: [GBlist] Setback Thermostats, basic question

This technology has been available from the home automation industry for over ten years now. 

 

There are several, several manufacturers of whole house controllers and control systems with compatible thermostats available.  These stats come in several different configurations and have the capability to sense both internal and external temperature levels.  They also come with automatic damping capability that allows very precise zone cooling and heating for small and large homes.  The average price per square foot for a smart comprehensive control system hovers around $2.00 per square foot.  The energy savings capability of these systems is phenomenal and they quite literally can pay for themselves in a few years as opposed to decades for renewable energy products and systems.  The most common application of home automation is automatic lighting control but the technology can now be successfully applied to any electrical system where automatic, timed event or energy management is required.  It's also a lot of fun to play with if you are an enthusiast.  I cannot recommend it strongly enough.

 

One of the tragedies of the home automation industry is the failure of the environmental community to recognize that this is a technology that can make significant contributions to energy efficiency and the efficient day to day operation of a home, office, ranch or farm.  I have always wondered where in the back to the land manual it states that technology is not allowed. 

 

 

SBT Designs
25840 IH-10 West #1
Boerne, Texas 78006
210-698-7109
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www.sbtdesigns.com