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Smart Home – what does it really mean?

In its simplest form, home automation is building automation for the home and includes the following aspects: lighting, climate, entertainment systems, appliances, access control and security (CCTV and alarm systems).

It is predicted to be a $12 billion industry this year and will further be enhanced as the Internet-of-Things starts to deliver sensors and systems that add value to homes in applications that include: pool care, safety (buttons and trackers for people), tracking solutions (golf carts, people), air quality (smoke and carbon monoxide), water management (usage, leakage) and energy usage and management.

It is a somewhat fragmented industry with a large number of suppliers and solutions available, but the important thing is that prices for devices and connectivity are coming down all the time. Most systems are controlled through Wi-Fi via a hub, using the Internet directly or over one of the LPWAN IoT networks such as Sigfox.

Water related applications

Apart from the fun-related aspects, real value can be derived from monitoring water consumption. It is now possible – at around R2500 for installed equipment – to have water consumption data sent to your phone every hour, with alarms should abnormal consumption be detected.

Given today’s water-scarce environment, municipalities are hiking prices based on usage levels. The concern with water is that problems are seldom identified until it is too late and the user is faced with an astronomical bill at the end of the month. Because it is under pressure, a leaking cistern can waste around 80 l per hour, or 1920 l per day. Even worse if a leak is hidden below ground in an irrigation system, which can waste as much as 1000 l per hour.

A new industry is developing in the domestic pool market, where devices such as PoolSense can measure water chemistry and deliver the quality and dosing data needed to maintain a crystal clear pool that is in perfect balance (avoiding those expensive trips to the pool shop while you attempt to restore the blue).

In terms of swimming pools, the SA market size is estimated to be around 900 000 domestic units. As a founder and advisor to the company that developed the PoolSense system, Dave Wibberley, a well-known professional in the industrial automation arena, states: “The Internet-of-Things, combined with low-power networks like Sigfox, has enabled this development. We could finally get to a price point that makes a device like PoolSense available to everyone who owns a pool. PoolSense is not just a ‘nice-to-have’ device for techies, but we believe every pool owner will have one floating in their pool over the next five years. It pays for itself by eliminating the hassle of manual measuring and the guesswork of how much, of which chemical, must be added to maintain a perfect pool year round.”

So, the smart home of the future will deliver a better living environment, will be easy to manage and provide us with enhanced quality of life.

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