One of the newest technologies for homeowners is the ability to control various functions of your home from anywhere wireless connectivity is available. In addition to saving money on gas and electricity, home automation is also excellent for the environment, as it can significantly lower gas and electricity usage.

North Vancouver Green Initiative

In an effort to become the greenest city in the world, Vancouver has already put together an action plan to be reached by 2020. City staff is working with businesses, organizations and residences on implementation of their goals, which target carbon, ecosystems and waste improvements.
Over the past 20 years, North Vancouver has created and supported many sustainability programs which have helped lead to the initiative including:

 

 

 

 

 

Part of the revisions made to the city’s bylaws actually already included the future technology of building automation. British Columbia hydro electric company has even begun working on a Smart Grid which includes building automation to create more energy efficient buildings with better design, as well as automation systems like energy monitoring and temperature control.

From City Buildings to Your Home

Home automation is a type of building automation in which residents can control all household activities from a central control panel or mobile device. Common features include controlling appliances, HVAC, lighting and security. Home automation systems are even available for the elderly and disabled to improve their overall quality of life. The popularity of home automation has increased significantly in the past few years, mainly due to improved affordability and the added simplicity of the controls becoming accessible through mobile devices.

Best Home Automation Systems

There are a number of home automation systems available for purchase already, and more are being debuted at a rapid pace. The most common systems include ADT Pulse Home Automation, AT&T Digital Life, WeMo from Belkin, Smarthome and Control4. In addition to these popular systems, many companies are releasing DIY systems which save homeowners a significant amount of money on costly installation. In such a tight economy the DIY systems, which have been backed by name brand stores like Lowe’s, are becoming a much more viable option.

 

Future of Home Automation

There are already concepts in the works that could potentially allow homeowners to text their appliances and tell them what to do, as well as the possibility of voice activated mobile apps to control home security and other automation. Even motion triggered technology, which would allow homeowners to turn on appliances, such as lights, by performing certain hand gestures, has been put forth as the next logical step in automation. These new technologies could ideally turn any home into a partner, not just for chores and simple tasks, but also for security and overall energy efficiency.