Recently Filed in Climate Control

Want to see how future homes may look and what green technologies they will include? Check out the virtual tours of homes built for the Solar Decathlon held recently in Washington, D.C. The Solar Decathlon is a biennial competition among college and university students to design, build, and operate the most attractive, effective, and energy-efficient solar-powered house. The green technologies extend far beyond solar technology, though. The temporary homes built on the National Mall featured everything from automated window louvers that help regulate temperatures to… View this story
Climate Control • Green Technology • Cool Homes

Programmable thermostats, by design, are meant to do one thing: regulate the temperature of your home, and perhaps display the current outdoor temperature. Home Automation Inc., however, believes that the device is capable of much more. Introduced at the CEDIA Expo last week, the company’s newly released Omnistat2 doubles as an interface for controlling the lights and other electronic components. To me, the design makes a lot of sense. Most thermostats already have built-in screens and plenty of buttons, so why not use those screens… View this story
Climate Control • Thermostats and Sensors • Green Technology • Product News

New and greener shading solutions have been announced by lighting control company Lutron Electronics. The company’s Sivoia QS wireless solution includes a clock that allows the programming of “scenes,” much like lighting scenes that bring certain lights on at certain levels for specific tasks like art or mood lighting. Lutron will promote energy-saving shading scenes such as winter warmth and summer cool. A “winter warmth” scene, for example, would open shades or drapes to let in light to warm a space and use less lighting,… View this story
Climate Control • Lighting Control • Shades and Blinds • Green Technology • Product News

The ability to manage your home’s electronic systems from one main control system can make your household run smoother, feel better and save energy. The trick is to find a system that will meet all the demands of your household, now and in the future. Most systems can be tailored by a custom electronics professional to provide all the benefits you desire, but there are some key features that will make his job easier and your interaction with your system more enjoyable. We asked both… View this story
Climate Control • Home Control • Lighting Control • How To • Home Control • Info and Answers • Research

Control for consumers is the ultimate aphrodisiac and today Americans are used to having it in all facets of their lives. This control ranges from the interface on their iPods and their home theater remote controls, to the steering wheel-mounted radio controls in their cars and Web-enabled HVAC and security controls that are accessed from smartphones. Moen’s newest product release addresses the need for homeowners to control their showers, vertical spas and Roman spas. The company’s ioDigital system is designed to give users control over… View this story
Appliances • Climate Control • Climate Control Systems • Humidity Control • Thermostats and Sensors • Zone Controllers • Home Control Systems • Pool and Spa • Bathroom • Product News

The Wall Street Journal has posted an interesting article on Green Homes of the Future, asking four architects “to design an energy-efficient, environmentally sustainable house without regard to cost, technology, aesthetics or the way we are used to living.” According to the Journal, the idea was not to dream up anything impossible or unlikely. “Instead, we asked the architects to think of what technology might make possible in the next few decades.” So what did the architects come up with? A house with a solar… View this story
Climate Control • Home Control • Power Management • Green Technology • Info and Answers

This is the time of year I refer to as “sprinter.” The weather fluctuates so much, that one day can feel like spring, and next it’s winter (anyone who lives in the Midwest can relate). Adding to the confusion are the sun and the birds. A bright morning and chirping birds can really fool you into believing that it’s warmer than it really is. Sadly, the finicky outdoor conditions have made me a slave to the little outdoor thermostat that sits on my kitchen counter.… View this story
Climate Control • Networking and Communication • Home Control • Product News

Stunning is about the only way to describe this 6,500-square-foot home overlooking Portland, Ore. Its three stories combine contemporary elements with swirling soffits, magnificent rock walls and plenty of state-of-the-art elements—from a new kind of home control system to high-res media systems to hidden speakers and Euro styling. Did we mention that the views are stunning as well? The builder, Haggart Luxury Homes of Portland, was constructing the house for a Street of Dreams show, in which residents tour fully furnished homes for several weeks… View this story
Climate Control • Lighting Control • Home Control • Cool Homes • Slideshows

When the economy has everyone pinching their pennies and tightening their belts, investing in your home may not seem like the best thing to do. But there are a number of ways that you can use home technology to save money on your utilities, including your electric and heating bills. Here are three ways to save money using home technology. Energy Management Energy monitoring and management is an increasingly popular way to cut down on your electric costs. Research firm Parks Associates expects the number… View this story
Climate Control • Lighting Control • Shades and Blinds

President Obama says he wants a “smart grid” for more efficient electrical distribution. Maybe he should talk to Control4 and GridPoint. The two companies have announced that they are teaming to integrate smart energy management devices in the home with smart grid systems used by utilities. The energy management systems come from home control company Control4. Its Home Energy Manager will provide homeowners with the ability to easily control their lighting, thermostat, sprinklers, electronic shut-offs and other features through a single in-home display. The smart… View this story
Climate Control • Home Control • Green Technology

One of the most popular spots to be at the recent CES (Consumer Electronics Show) and IBS (International Builders’ Show) in Las Vegas wasn’t on the show floors, but located in a residential neighborhood about 5 miles away. That was the site of the NextGen National Demonstration Home, built to showcase the latest in digital and green home technologies. The five-bedroom, six-bath, 5,200-square-foot home was built in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy to reach a level of energy efficiency 51 percent greater than… View this story
AV Components • Multiroom Audio • Climate Control • Central Vacuum • Central Vacuum Systems • Speakers • Home Control Systems • Green Technology • Cool Homes • Info and Answers • Slideshows

We’re all in savings mode these days—and if you’re looking for a way to monitor all your energy consumption, an Agilewaves system could be your best bet. This is not one of those jerry-rigged systems that mounts onto your electric meter. Agilewaves can monitor your electricity, gas and water use, as well as keep track of how much you’re saving with an alternative energy system like solar, wind or geothermal heating. You get a readout of usage by hour, day, month or year—with pie charts… View this story
Climate Control • Green Technology • Info and Answers