Is Digital Automation the Key to Saving Energy Within the Home?
Added: (Wed Nov 15 2006)
Pressbox (Press Release) -
Press Release
For immediate release 14 November 2006
Kettle on…Freezer off…See the Savings
Is digital automation the key to saving energy within the home?
By taking control of the way home appliances function, the householder can increase energy efficiency and cut down on carbon emissions, but how can this be quantified in terms that can be seen immediately by the householder? Currently the only way to measure energy use is to read the meter which is most commonly situated in the garage or tucked away under the stairs. But when the meter is read does the data actually mean anything to the consumer? Smart energy meters have been developed in order to reduce energy consumption by gathering real time, easily accessible data on actual energy use in something we can all understand, pounds. Information can also be given on carbon dioxide emissions and energy units used within the home, as well as offering a solution to the householder through the mini-meter which enables plugged in appliances such as a fridge freezer to be switched off while the kettle boils. These meters produce highly accurate data that can be collected and analysed to offer the consumer useful information on household energy consumption. This data can be accessed remotely on a pc at the office or provided on a simple display within the home, therefore supplying the consumer with a clear idea of which actions to take that will have a direct impact on future energy bills and carbon emissions. When given the data in real time, consumers are in a better position to assess how their behaviour affects energy consumption and therefore make significant changes that will have a direct effect on energy bills and carbon emissions.
“Householders are responding to the need for the cut in carbon emissions and rising energy costs by turning the television off at the wall and washing their clothes at 30 degrees. They are currently unable to see what, if any effect this is having on the price they are paying to their energy supplier. By installing a Horstmann Smart Meter consumers will have the opportunity to control their energy bills and carbon emissions in real time making it possible to change behaviour within the home that will have a direct effect on the amount they pay for energy each month.”
Andrew Deeming, Engineering Director, Horstmann
An ongoing research programme has been commissioned by Bristol based metering and controls manufacturer Horstmann to determine how digital monitoring of household appliances will enable significant energy savings tailored to the individual householder. Two occupied houses based in Oxfordshire and Leicestershire have been set up with a Smart Energy Management System (SEMS) to monitor energy use and manage appliances to make significant energy savings. The Horstmann mini-meter plays a large part in the successful management of energy within these houses as it can monitor appliances to enable more efficient use within the home to save energy. Horstmann, in conjunction with Digital Living an independent research led consultancy, have set up and monitored two occupied homes over the last twelve months. A number of measures have been identified to demonstrate how the automation of household appliances can make significant inroads into cutting down on energy wastage.
Key benefits of using a Smart Energy Management System are:
Real time data on energy consumption available locally and remotely
User friendly display unit able to display meaningful information to customers
Two way communication with energy suppliers to improve the accuracy of bills and enable better household budgeting
Carbon monoxide emission detector and boiler health monitor
During the winter of 2007 OFGEM will be conducting trials of smart meters in the UK. The key objective will be to discover whether consumer behaviour would change if detailed information on energy consumption was easily available. Horstmann, together with Digital Living are providing a look into the future today by developing the digital management of household appliances, therefore enabling the consumer to have a direct effect on the way energy is used and managed within the home.
Ends
Notes to editors
Bristol based Horstmann Controls is one of the UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of metering and controls for domestic heating. The UK office of Electricity Regulation (OFGEM) approves Horstmann for the certification of electricity meters, as does the British Electrical Approvals Board (BEAB) for Horstmann domestic products.
Established in December 2005, Digital Living is a privately owned UK limited company with established links to corporate utility customers and channel partners. This innovative business builds upon 3 years of collaborative private and public investment working with leading utility companies, research organisations, manufacturers and universities.
Smart Energy Management test houses – Based in Oxfordshire and Leicestershire, these two houses are occupied and monitored using a Smart Energy Management System. Installed in each home as the core of the system is a flexible gateway that is used to demonstrate the potential for smart metering. It also shows how it is possible to integrate metering with other devices that provides a holistic approach to energy management. The gateway connects together devices such as fiscal electricity, gas and water meters, mini meters for white and brown goods, lighting and central heating systems.
A white paper with full details on the background to this research as well as future implications is available from the website www.horstmann.co.uk. Photographs and demo versions of the white goods monitor are available upon request.
Contact Information
Jane Peters Andrew Deeming
Press Officer Engineering Director
Horstmann Horstmann
07956 406698 0117 978 8780
jpeters@horstmann.co.uk adeeming@horstmann.co.uk
Les Woolner
Managing Director
Horstmann
0117 978 8780
lwoolner@horstmann.co.uk
For more information visit the press area on our website www.horstmann.co.uk