Why do we want to save energy? There are several rational reasons that are driving the decision makers when it comes to a building’s energy consumption. Saving money and environmental concerns are the top factors, but there are also emotional and social elements, among others, that play into the story.
“Your customers are going to be after one of these things,” said Daniel Knight, technical director of Fibaro UK, specializing in wireless, retrofittable building automation products, primarily for the residential sector.
In the CEDIA training session “Ecological Automation – The Basics of Energy,” at ISE 2015 in Amsterdam, Knight detailed the importance of calculating kilowatt-hours (kWh) to use less energy. Then, there are various methods to reducing consumption: dimming all lighting circuits by 10 to 20 percent; scheduling devices to switch off when not in use; adding sensors to determine when and for how long devices should be on for; interlocking not just between heating and cooling but with open doors and windows as well; and lastly, smart meters.
Using smart technology adds an extra layer of visibility and discoverability to individual energy habits.
“It doesn’t matter which technology you use,” Knight said. “The point is that you need to be able to break down energy consumption — to be able to drill down and say, ‘why am I using this energy?’”
