Smart House and Automation Technologies

Automation has been shown to reduce long-term operations and maintenance (O&M) costs, when compared to a noncontrolled building. Smart house and automation technologies have their beginnings in building automation and home automation technologies. Building automation refers to a functionality provided by the control system of a building. Early BAS engineers attempted to combine basic computer functionality with parts of the built environment to provide efficiency in control, comfort, and standard of living, often referred to as building automation systems (BAS). In housing, home automation technologies contain similar possibilities, while also allowing residents to focus on domestic activities and quality of life issues.

Building automation refers to functionality provided through computerized systems that control electronic devices, including, but not limited to, communication, mechanical, security, and lighting systems. Control is typically established through a centrally distributed, intelligent network connecting all devices within the building. In today's commercially built environment, BAS technologies play a key role in O&M. BAS regulate specified ranges in building climate; occupancy schedules (for comfort and energy); lighting schedules (occupancy-based); system performance; alarm monitoring, notification, and action; and device failures. Further, BAS generate regular digital communications to the building's O&M staff. Often, these communications can cater to common language preferred by the O&M staff and suggest maintenance schedules or optimized settings for equipment, for example. Recent school operations have placed BAS security systems as a high priority for limiting access, monitoring, and notification (individual, centralized, and mass).

Home automation, on the other hand, is the residential side of building automation, containing similar utility. Automation of the home is also referred to as domotics and includes most domestic concerns, ranging from housework to domestic activities, such as lighting, mechanical, appliances, communication, hygiene, property maintenance (including gardening), entertainment, and security. Domotics aim to provide improved convenience, comfort, energy efficiency, and security of the residential environment, through the integration of electrical devices that regulate such domestic activities. The goal of home automation is often to introduce an element of convenience with specific systems that increase efficiency. Home automation can also provide quality of life for disabled persons and the elderly. Therefore, home automation is becoming increasingly important as the industry provides for baby boomers who begin the retirement process. Today's younger generations have also grown up with information [Page 689]and communication systems whereby a “connected” lifestyle depends on a “connected” residence.

Homes can be outfitted for automation during new construction or retrofitted for preexisting construction, depending on situation, system, and needs of the client. New home construction is the most economic process for automation, while retrofitting technologies are improving in cost and functionality. New home construction allows for accessibility to walls, outlet locations, necessary storage, and inexpensive design changes needed for certain technologies. Network outlets are installed in every room, similar in look and size to other receptacles. Wireless systems have seen tremendous growth and application due to their flexibility and are common to both new and/or retrofit construction, as they require less wiring and can integrate with existing power wiring, radio, or infrared signals, communicating with a central controller.

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