Items Tagged With hvac

Here's a $19 USB dongle with a difference.  This USB device is a therometer which lets you measure the temperature and record the data on your PC (windows Vista & XP)...

Carlton Bale has an interesting blog post on his investigations into choosing an Advanced Thermostat for his home. Well worth a read of you are considering automating your heating/ventilation system...

"Let's face it, the thermostat that is installed by default in most dwellings is pretty basic. If you have a digital display that's the "upgraded" version; and all it does is replicate the functionality of the old rudimentary mercury switch / rotary knob designs. An advanced thermostat with scheduling features can save quite a bit on your energy bill, but can also be an interesting gadget to occupy your time. Since my energy company is offering a rebate for anyone who upgrades to a scheduling thermostat, I decided to pull the trigger...

Open source, java home automation software, jHomeNet collects data from Dallas 1-Wire sensors and controls X10 modules. The team has just released version 0.2 of their application suite.

"Version 0.2 of the jHomeNet suite of tools was released on February 11, 2007. The suite includes the 0.2 release of the jHomeNet commons library, the 0.1 release of the jHomeNet UI library, and the 0.2 release of the jHomeNet server. This is still considered an early release and is intended to provide users a preview of features currently in development. Please download the suite and give it a try..

SmartHome Text is a new product that solves a problem we are often asked about here at Automated Home - how can I turn on the heating at my holiday home before I arrive. Using its built in GSM modem, this £700 device allows you to control your heating system by phone complete with text message reply of status...

"At last a way of remotely controlling the home without having to install a completely new heating system. Your property can keep you up to date on the status of the heating and alarm status by an SMS text message...

Submission by Andrew Hempsall and Colin Price

Located in a quiet Derbyshire village, this cottage had been uninhabited for more than 20 years and was virtually derelict when the current owners decided to buy it. The oldest part of the cottage was originally built in 1799 as a single dwelling, and the original parchment title deeds show that the house, garden and orchard were bought for the princely sum of £60.

Before renovation work began, the ground floor consisted of four very dark rooms. Now the house includes two bright reception rooms, a conservatory and three bedrooms. The house boasts a new oak staircase, along with oak internal doors and floorboards, giving a feel of the traditional, but that belies the secret - all the lighting, heating, air conditioning, audio and security are controlled by an EIB/ KNX system that is anything but old cottage. The system's finish has been carefully selected to bring modern life choices to perfect 'olde worlde' surroundings...