homebuilding.co.uk 29W
henwelookat the
measuresthatcanbeused
tomakeourhomesmore
efficientweoften(andquite
rightly)startwithinsulationand
airtightness.Thesetwomeasures
willmakeourhomesefficientbut
alsocontrollable.Thecluehere
is thatwethenneedtoworkout
howwearegoingtocontrolthem.
Thedraughtsarenowgoneand
thereforewewillhaveincreased
buildupofmoistureand
pollutantsinthehouse.Ona new
buildpropertytherearea whole
hostofpotentialsolutionssuch
asmechanicalventilationwith
heatrecovery(MVHR)systems,
butthesetakeupspaceandare
notoftensuitableforretrofitinto
existingproperties.So,whatwe
tendtodoat themomentis run
aroundthehomeopeningand
closingwindowsandadjusting
thethermostaticradiatorvalves
(TRVs)totryandfinda happy
balance;hardlyideal.automation in the home
As such, when redecorating or
rewiring the property, adding
an extension or loft room, or
replacing rooflights or windows,
it is definitely worth looking into
smarter controls for windows.
Many products now have
open source software that can be
used by different manufacturersto make sure that the various
components that you choose for
your project are fully compatible
with each other. There may even
be products that have automation
and connectivity that could be
beneficial but which you are not
currently aware of.
Take Velux for instance. For
many years we have had these
windows in our roofs and simply
made sure that they are closed
before we go out, in case it rains.
Things have moved on
and Velux now not only have
motorised windows in their
range of top hung and central
pivot windows which allow for
the easy operation of windows in
high up or out of reach areas, but
also have rain sensors which will
automatically close the window
in the event of rain. With the
addition of Velux Active you
can adjust the windows, blinds
and shutters automatically.
Smart sensors can also monitor
temperature, humidity and CO 2
levels, allowing Velux Active to
intuitively open or close your
windows.
You no longer need to worry
about humidity build up in
your kitchen or bathroom as the
sensors will automatically open
your windows to ventilate the
home. There is also a departure
switch to let the system know
that you are leaving home
and the windows are then
left in the secured ventilation
position. The Velux Active app
also allows you to control the
system from anywhere and it
is fully compatible with many
smart homecontrolssuch as
Niko Homecontrol,Apple®
HomeKit™and Siri.davidhiltonis an
expertin sustainable
buildingandenergy
efficiency,and
is a directorofheat
andenergyltdusing smart
WindoW controls
An easy way to make our homes
more efficient and savvy, says
energy expert David Hilton...news green
innovative micro
combined boiler
Viessmann has launched a
new super energy-efficient fuel
cell heat and power boiler, the
Vitovalor PT2, which can save
up to 40% energy consumption
and reduce CO 2 emissions
by up to 30% compared to
separate heat and power
generation. It can cover the
basic electricity demands of
an average home and has the
highest possible Energy-related
Product (ErP) rating of A+++,
making it a viable alternative to
heat pumps for domestic use. It
can also be added to an existing
heating system, and includes
a 220-litre integrated stainless
steel hot water cylinder. (www.
viessmann.co.uk)london
has the most energy
efficienthomes,
saysglazingexperts
everest.homeowners
living in the capital also
pay the least for their
energy bills.