Items Tagged With carbon footprint

Our American readers will soon be able to enjoy AlertMe's wireless home automation technology after they just announced a strategic partnership with the huge American retailer - Lowe's.  The home improvement company's new 'Iris' service will be based on the AlertMe hub and give users to monitor and control their thermostats, smart plugs, lighting, door locks, motion and contact sensors from their smartphones...

A couple of weeks ago a group of enthusiasts got together in London for an un-conference, Home Camp 4.  A technical community interested in using open systems and low-cost, often re-purposed hardware to change the way they use energy and appliances around the home.  Editing of the videos has been completed and you can watch the 7 presentations on-line...

While this project is aimed at huge data centres, many Automated Home readers have several rackmount servers controlling all aspects of their home automation systems (view some photos of them here).  Running costs that few used to worried about, are now much more significant with recent energy cost rises.  So these HP Project Moonshot low energy ARM SOC servers could have a bearing on the future in the home too.  Check out the videos and the PR after the jump...

Last month AlertMe sounded their intent to move their tech-niche company towards a higher volume business.  Just a few weeks on and the firm has just announced a raft of news including a potentially huge deal with Deutsche Telekom, the acquisition of Wattbox and a strategic partnership with SmartHeating application company, Invensys Controls...

One of the most common questions we've heard over the years on Automated Home is how can I control my heating when I'm away from my house or holiday home.  Well here's a really interesting new product that offers a solution at a price that's more more affordable than the systems we've looked at in the past.  We talked to the guys at VVS Technologies about their new heating to cellular interface hardware called 'HeatSlave'...

We've always been fans of AlertMe, the UK company has brought innovative products to the market over the last few years .  However a couple of things have always spoiled the party a little, the closed nature of the systems and the on-going subscription costs.  However, after a sit down chat with the AlertMe boys and girls last week it's clear the company is ready to embark on a new chapter.  They have decided to drop subscriptions (yay!) and launch new hardware.  But more significantly they have decided to embrace open standards for their Zigbee powered wireless hub.  The aim?  To become the gateway between the Internet and a whole host of services and controls in our homes... 

Here's another tiny PC with an appetite of just 14 Watts.  The ECOPC N.1A from Evo Technologies is fanless and silent and ideal for lots of home automation server duties. Best of all the bare bones unit is available direct from the manufacturers for $241 (around £150).  Full specs and PR after the jump...

We've always been fascinated by the energy harvesting wireless sensor technology from EnOcean.  The bidirectional self-powered 'green' devices do away with the need for cable in your walls for either power or bus signals.  Now the EnOcean Alliance have announced that their devices are now "fully interoperable with TCP/IP".  Siting the growing customer demand to manage and monitor building and home automation controls over IP networks, the EnOcean Alliance has added IP technology to their products.  Check out the full PR below plus a video that explains the tech...

Whether you're an off the grid environmentalist or just want to retro-fit electric blinds where there's no power outlet, then this new system from BTX may be for you.  Described as the first ever solar powered roller blind system, the makers say it only requires around 2 hours per day of 'average sunlight' to trickle charge its batteries and keep it working.  If you have lower light you can move the solar panel to a different position or link multiple panels too,  Check out the video of the patent pending system below...

Home automation has acquired a more legitimate mantel in recent years, helping lose its reputation as merely promoting a couch potato lifestyle. Tasked with helping us all monitor, measure and change our energy usage, manufacturers like Z-Wave have been quick to see the potential of the green market for their smart home products.  Here's the latest range from GreenWave Reality, giving users access to detailed electricity, gas and water consumption data as well as electric vehicle charging and time of day pricing...

As momentum continues to grow in the Z-Wave smart home wireless mesh networking system we interview their Director of Sales, Bent Sorensen.  We pose your questions from Twiiter and Facebook and discuss the evolving protocol, TV gateways, openess and the carbon footprint...

If you missed the half price deal on the Bye Bye Standby Energy Saving Kit at Amazon earlier this week, it's back!  No clue on how long it will last this time but if you're in the market for three one remote socket and a controller the deal is HERE .

UPDATE - we're hearing this deal is for ONE socket and remote.  People that ordered are starting to receive this email - "There has been an error on the Amazon listing whereby an old image and description of the product has been shown" 

UPDATE 2 - Thanks for your comments.  This is all starting to look very fishy to us too! The Amazon Marketplace seller "AllThingsGreen" is still displaying a description for this article as "Box Contains - 3 x Bye Bye Standby Smart Socket, 1 x Bye Bye Standby Remote Control".  Also - how can 1 socket and 1 remote be £29.99 for Half Price £14.99 (+P&P) when Amazon sell that pack at £11.99 without discount!

More 'Z-Wave Helps Save the World' type stuff today with the new QEES SmartGate and Open Software Platform.  The hardware and software pair, in conjunction with metering devices, enable home owners to monitor and control their energy usage.  The SmartGate is described as an "All-in-one-Gateway' that replaces your wireless router and adds a telephone gateway, energy management and home controls.  With the Open Software Platform users can also configure and control entire smart home networks...

The Idratek guys have been busy.  As well as launching a new version of their website they've also just released a major new update of their Cortex software (version 25).  In addition there are two new hardware modules available too.  The PC/IDRANet interface module (PCU-001)which provides a USB data interface and conventional analogue audio interfaces.  Plus a new push button module - the DBI-001 which is a dual button faceplate with LED indicators and also incorporates two general purpose digital inputs with pulse counting capability. Ideal for simple user interactions such as light switching/dimming or blind control and for connecting any nearby switch type sensors into the IDRATEK network...

Our other passion here at Automated Home is cars so you might think we'd be into this whole automated driving Google Robot vehicle thing.  We're not.  Now, call us Jeremy Clarkson sympathisers if you like, but this just looks like the beginning of the end for anyone that enjoys their driving.  We're losing the musical multi-cylinder engines for smaller, more ordinary forced induction units these days, and don't even get us started on the milk-float sound track from the Tesla.  Don't get us wrong, we love technology in cars, just not the kind that takes away our driving pleasure.  Heck it's not much of a leap from these robot cars to Skynet!  Read on for all the scary details and a video of one of these monster on the road...

AlertMe has announced several new features for its home energy management service, including a Carbon Footprint measuring feature. This allows users to see the amount of carbon dioxide their home is generating in relation to their electricity use, so they can track energy output, reduce their CO2 emissions, while reducing the size of their energy bills. Also launching is an iGoogle gadget and a Yahoo Widget...

Here's some more eco friendly home automation designed to give you that warm fuzzy, 'saving the planet' feeling.  The Eco Sensor Lamp is a compact florescent bulb with the usual long life and low energy features married to a PIR sensor and timer.  While it may be a little dumb in the grand scheme of today's smart homes, its truly automated unlike many other systems.  Once movement is detected the bulb can be set to remain lit for anything from 10 seconds to 5 minutes.  Available in bayonet and screw fittings now at under £16...

Colin Calder, CEO of PassivSystems has this morning announced their new Home Heating systems control iPhone app.  In conjunction with the PassivEnergy home energy management system the app allows full control of your heating from your iPhone including the ability to remotely check temperatures and override schedules.  Aimed at energy saving as well as convenience the app is free and available now from the iTunes store.  Read on for the full PR...

The new ZigBee Plugwise Smart Sockets go between your appliance and the wall, measuring energy consumption and transmitting the data to your PC wirelessly for analysis.  The PlugWise Circle G sockets are available now for around £35 with the PlugWise Stick USB mesh network transmitter / receiver for around £40... 

Another raft of updates this week from one of our favourite UK innovators - AlertMe. Firstly the new "AlertMe Smart Energy" package with a full-colour display (and six months free online and mobile service included) is now available to pre-order at £49.99.  Also the new free iPhone App for the Energy system is now on the iTunes store and joy of joys a sweet new UI is here at last for the Web Interface...

Enio Energy Management are a new start-up company, working on ways to help reduce our power consumption.  We interviewed Enio Co-Founder, Nick Franklin, on how the company came about, what the service offers and where it's headed in the future.  Plus we have passes directly onto the Enio private alpha for 20 Automated Home readers - read on and check out the special link below....

Intwine Energy have launched their new IECT-220 Wi-Fi communicating thermostat.  The unit comes with a free basic monitoring service for control through the Web with a premium service with more features available for $15 per year...

UPDATED - New Images Added.  AlertMe have announced a raft of new new home energy management products and services.  Perhaps most interestingly a new Energy Starter Kit including a previously un-seen Colour Display unit at £49.99 (whilst reducing the price of the kit without the display to just £29.99).  In addition the mobile optimised website is being augmented with a 'proper' iPhone app too.  Read on for the full PR...

Current Cost have announced they are the next Google PowerMeter partner in the UK.  Users of existing units can purchase a USB now to get started sending their usage data up to the Google service, or you can buy a package complete with the meter and a cable too.  Links after the jump...

Here's a handy little fella - the PB-PSR Power Sensor Relay from Polar Bear Solutions (the people that brought us the in-wall dock for the Pronto TSU9600).  The 110v / 230v module has a multitude of applications with many installers using it for resetting Sky boxes, as well as managing power saving by controlling the equipment in your AV rack for example...

AlertMe started life as a security company, offering their on-line wireless alarm system.  Now it's clear from the very front page of their website that they are focussing their future on Energy monitoring.  They've employed their Zigbee technology, already refined in their security product, to create their latest offering - AlertMe Energy - a £49 hardware package along with a subscription to a monitoring service.  So, does it live up to the promise and can you really save money using the system....?

The Tenherte PICOWatt allows any appliance plugged into it to be controlled from a computer or smartphone.  It also measures the power used by the appliance, can schedule its control and cleverly can actually decide itself when best to turn it on and off.

As your electricity supplier enables Smart Grid technologies you will, for example, be able to have 2-way devices like the PICOWatt 'talk' to the grid and decide the cheapest time to turn on your washing machine. 

The PICOwatt launches on Earth Day (22nd April) at around $80.Watch the video after the jump...

New UK start-up PassivSystems have launched their energy monitoring and control system at CES. The set-up comprises of wireless sensors, electricity power monitors and heating controllers - all brought together on an easy to manage on-line interface.  Watch the video after the jump...

The extraordinary long life and lower power qualities of the new generation of LED bulbs make them a hot topic.  However many designs refuse to work with the regular mains dimmers many of us already have in our homes.  Now a new range is launching soon from CasaTech and we have a free delivery offer for Automated Home readers...

Wow, what a coup for AlertMe. They've just announced a partnership with a little Internet company you may have heard of - Google! Their brand new "Energy" product is a combination of a clip-on meter reader, wireless hub and the online goodness of Google's PowerMeter.  This will enabling users to monitor their energy consumption via their iGoogle homepage.  Watch the video and read the full release after the jump...

Techtoniq have just released v1.1 of its CurrentCost Agent.  It's a client-server application for Windows XP which allows you to log and analyse data collected by either your Classic or Brand new CC128 CurrentCost device...

We've covered the second generation CurrentCost energy monitor before, but now it's avaiable to buy, and here's how we can help you save nearly £10 with some insider knowledge...

In 2007 we ran a story on the tiny linux PC The Linutop.  Now the diminutive system has hit version 2.4 and with it an official launch in the UK.  The pint-sized, open source Linux PC is designed to run silently and is highly energy efficient at just 8 watts...

The WindBox from MSI is an ultra-compact PC that features a VESA mount interface allowing it to be wall mounted or just placed on the back of your monitor.  Using the Intel Atom CPU the WindBox provides decent performance with low power consumption and a silent, fan-less system...

Despite many emails to Current Cost we were disappointed that they seemed unwilling to reply to us, let alone sending any info or photos of their new unit.  However, our forums have some information and links to a great review of the new hardware from Dale Lane...

2008 may be remembered as the year that the rest of us finally started to take an interest in reducing our energy consumption.  The huge increasing in fuel costs brought into sharp focus for everyone the economic benefits of moderating our intake, not just the tree-huggers.

But to be able to reduce your energy bills, first you need to be able to measure your consumption.  Many of us only get an idea of our energy useage once a quarter when our bills arrive, or worse still, once a year when the electricity company adjust their direct debit amount.  Thankfully, help is at hand...

Home Camp 08 was held last Saturday at the Imperial College London.  The "unconference" discussed technology to monitor and automate the home for greener resource use and to save costs. Here's Andy Piper's video of Andy Stanford-Clark's talk on home automation and energy efficient computing at the event...

In the fifth and final of our video interviews from this years Smart Home Show we have a quick chat with Guy Reece from WebBrick.  Guy talks about the hectic last 12 months for the company and how they are using their product to manage renewables and save energy in other intelligent home configurations.  The WebBrick gateway uses standards based HTML so can be configured to output almost anything you require and support for DMX lighting control has just been added too...

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Danish based company Modstroem have developed an interesting new Z-Wave based electricity monitoring system.  The device includes a small digital camera that mounts on the meter to read energy consumption...

The Windows Home Server Team Blog has an interesting piece on the running costs of a modern home server versus a regular PC.  They found the annual running costs to be around £25 versus £295!  This echoes our finding in a piece we wrote a couple of years ago on running a NAS versus a PC.  Even then (in a time with lower electricity prices) our more conservative comparison found then the NAS cost around £17.00 to run for a year compared to around £145.00 for a PC...

We talked to Dave Robinson from Sensible Heat at the Smart Home Show and he introduced us to their new WebManager system. The fine details are still under wraps but we've obtained this photo of the PC based unit that runs Linux....

Plogg is a plug that's an energy meter, logger and switch that can talk to your PC, PDA or Smart Phone.  Available in ZigBee and Bluetooth versions, Plogg can communicate wirelessly with a range of devices while monitoring, reporting and being switching On and Off remotely...

Idratek have just released v23 of their home automation software, Cortex.  The new features include the ability for the system to estimate actual energy savings made from its intelligent heating and lighting control.  Other notable additions in this update are a new lighting automation engine and the inclusion of support for the xAP protocol...

Home & building automation supplier Ivory Egg is to launch Sensolux, the world’s first self-powered occupancy sensor, at ECO Build - the UK’s leading green building event...

The "Current State" concept from The Greener Grass is an idea for monitoring and controlling power usage round the home - "Current State is a real-time energy use monitoring system and timer for powered devices combined into one. The Current State system is made up of two parts, a mobile application for you cell phone, which allows you to control and monitor electricity use from anywhere, and a series of Plug-Ends that give you control over the products around your house...

Seluxit, a Danish company specialising in intelligent energy saving devices, has just launched the ViaSens home controller. The device is based on the Z-Wave standard and provides users with an overview of the status of all devices within their home control network.  The ViaSens Home Controller connects to a PC via USB and the free software retrieves information via sensors connected to the devices and provides a comprehensive, easy-to view analysis of it. Using the ViaSens controller, homeowners can continually monitor the power consumption of their household and can optimize energy consumption by adjusting their device settings...

The Owl (formerly the Electrisave) is a neat device for monitoring how much electricity your home is using.  The systyem costs £49 and is available now online at www.theowl.com and also from nationwide B&Q stores... 

We reported back in July that RFXCOM were working on a new Ethernet device.  This morning we can report it has been released, along with a new "Pulse" module which can be used to monitor utility usage by interfacing to Electricity and Gas meters for example...

Bye Bye Standby have released official photos and more information on their new web interface module.  This device allows remote control of circuits in yor home, from anywhere in the world via the web...