Home automation 'can save money'

Monday, February 22nd 2010

Homeowners looking to cut costs may consider home automation, which is being billed as a way to increase the environmental friendliness of a property and reduce its management costs.

The scheme is funded by the EU and is currently being tested in Germany.

But master inventor for IBM and home automation evangelist Andy Stanford-Clark claims that the method has already saved him money.

He says it makes a house more efficient in many ways, such as intelligently controlling the heat in a home so that the rooms being used are kept warmer than those left empty.

Water can also be saved by the system, as well as reducing electricity consumption.

"I saved approximately one-third on my electricity bills since I started monitoring and automating my home. This obviously has reduced my carbon footprint significantly and has saved me money too," Mr Stanford-Clark explained.

The i2home project is being tested in Saarbrucken and may be used to help older and disabled people become more independent by automating their property.