URC has released new modules for use with its Network Series controllers that will appeal to any energy-conscious homeowner. With these new modules, available free of charge to URC installers through the dealers-only URC Tool Box, URC’s Network Series controllers (the KP-4000, MX-5000, and MX-6000) now work with the TED 5000 energy monitoring system from Energy Inc.
TED, short for The Energy Detective, integrates with a home’s electrical system to monitor residential power usage. A certified electrician can install the TED 5000 device in the main panel in just a few minutes.
Via URC’s new modules, the TED 5000 wirelessly communicates via the home network with URC Network Series keypads, wand remotes and touch screen controllers, enabling end users to monitor a wealth of useful information including:
• Real-time kW usage, dollars spent and carbon dioxide emissions
• Daily, monthly and projected usages
• Daily and monthly peak values
• Billing information
• Power and cost history per hour, day or month
• Default metrics (kW, Cost or Carbon emissions)
• Line voltage, to detect fluctuations
• Graphical displays of how energy-efficient the home currently is
URC’s TED interface is attractive and intuitive, and thanks to the capabilities of URC’s Network Series controllers, clients not only can observe the energy monitoring information TED 5000 provides, but also act on that data for the purposes of energy management. That is, clients can use the same URC controllers on which they view TED data to take corrective action on that data; they can instantly adjust lights or temperature, or power down electronics components, for example.
Unlike other energy monitoring and management solutions that involve smart meters, URC says that its solution allows homeowners to monitor their own energy usage without sharing the data with the electric company. Additionally, smart meters are offered by only a few utility companies; TED can be installed in any normal system.
“The URC-TED solution allows installers to provide homeowners with rich, actionable information about their energy consumption, without violating the client’s privacy,” said URC product manager Joseph Spinelli.
URC dealers can download the TED modules and hundreds of other apps in the URC Tool Box via the password-protected URC Control Room.
