In Spain, home automation has been gaining interest in recent years, especially in a context in which it seeks to gain efficiency in supply management.
Home automation is the integration of technology into a living space that can be implemented in any type of building. It aims to automate tasks and improve the comfort, safety and energy efficiency of the space.
When managing the basic supplies (electricity, water, gas, Internet, insurance, alarms) of premises or an office, home automation can be applied through intelligent lighting systems that automatically adjust the intensity of the light according to natural light or through air conditioning systems that regulate the temperature efficiently, as well as with energy management systems that optimize electricity consumption. It can also include security systems such as surveillance cameras and access control, providing a safer and more productive environment.
Although home automation has existed for years, the leap it has taken with the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence has been greater. In fact, already in 2019 the volume of turnover of control and automation systems grew by 15% compared to the previous period, with an estimated 91 million euros.
Another of the pillars on which the expansion of home automation is based is sustainability. Intelligent systems will be designed to contribute to sustainable development and conserve the environment, promoting more eco-friendly living spaces.
It is estimated that by 2024 there will be 20% of living spaces with connected smart devices. This would mean that investment in home automation would grow by 300% compared to 2020.
How much can a home save with the use of home automation?
According to data provided by the Institute for Diversification and Energy Savings (IDAE), it was estimated that with home automation implemented in a living space, savings in heating can reach 39% of consumption, 27% of hot water, 12% in appliances, 9% in lighting and 2% in air conditioning.
Premises or offices can be transformed into intelligent spaces capable of saving landlords a lot of money. The home automation and the automation of supplies become key tools for reducing asset costs, with an estimated savings in consumption of up to 30%.
What home automation systems can I install in an office or a place?
Here are some of the home automation systems that can be installed and what are the most powerful benefits:
1. Intelligent lighting systems:
- Functionality: Control of light intensity and colour, time programming, motion detection through sensors, control of intelligent awnings.
- Potential benefits: Significant energy savings, personalized environment for customers and/or workers, greater security through automated lighting in outdoor and storage areas.
2. Automated air conditioning systems:
- Functionality: Automatic regulation of temperature and ventilation, adjusted according to the occupancy of the room based on information from the different thermostats located in the space.
- Potential benefits: Reduced energy costs, more comfortable environment for customers and employees, control of indoor air quality.
3. Integrated security systems:
- Functionality: Surveillance cameras connected to mobile devices, intrusion alarms, access control.
- Potential benefits: Protection against theft and vandalism, remote monitoring for a quick response to emergencies, deterrence of unwanted behaviour.
4. Automated Inventory Management:
- Functionality: Inventory sensors connected to management systems, automatic replenishment alerts.
- Potential benefits: Optimized stock management, reduced losses due to lack of inventory, better customer service by ensuring product availability.
Both in commercial premises and in smart offices, the implementation of home automation systems offers a variety of benefits, from energy savings and improved security to greater comfort. Not only do these technologies improve operational efficiency, but they also increase the value and user experience in their environment.
More home automation, lower supplies consumption
Home automation offers intelligent solutions for efficient resource management in homes, offices and premises, resulting in a significant reduction in the consumption of water, electricity and gas, among others.
The implementation of these technologies not only contributes to savings in operating costs, but also reinforces the commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
Water consumption with home automation
First, thanks to home automation, it is possible to reduce water consumption with, for example, smart tap. This solution regulates water flow and automatically detects leaks, reducing unnecessary consumption and avoiding waste due to undetected leaks. Just dripping a sink tap costs 100 l/month of water. With a smart tap you can reach save up to 25% rather than with a single lever tap.
There are also smart toilets which can adjust the amount of water used depending on the type of waste.
If you have plants or a garden, they can also be installed humidity sensors or automated irrigation. Moisture sensors in gardens and green areas detect the need for irrigation and activate automated irrigation systems only when necessary, preventing excess water waste. They can also retrieve weather information and not irrigate if rain is expected, or send a warning if there is a flood in the office or premises.
Electricity and gas consumption with home automation
Regarding the light consumption of a room or office, there are different smart home automation systems that will reduce energy consumption considerably.
The installation of systems of energy efficient LED lighting, combined with motion sensors, allows the lights to turn on only when there is occupancy in the areas, so that the light does not remain on in unoccupied spaces.
Intelligent lighting systems can be programmed to automatically adjust the intensity and colour of the light according to the time of day and the available natural light, making the energy consumption of these systems minimal and ideal for saving energy.
Another very useful feature is the ability to disconnect electrical circuits without touching the electrical panel. If you are not present in the premises or office, certain parts of the electrical circuit can be disabled so as not to exceed the contracted power at a certain time. For example, in a store with cold rooms, you can leave the refrigerators on but turn off the rest of the appliances and avoid consumption on stand-by.
Finally, the Air conditioning of a living space also consumes a lot of energy, whether gas or electricity. Smart thermostats can regulate temperature efficiently, adjusting the heating and cooling system according to space occupancy and temperature preferences. Integrated sensors can be installed in windows and doors to detect when they are open and automatically adjust the air conditioning, avoiding unnecessary heat or cold losses.
They also exist gas leak control systems which cut off the gas supply to space at the time of detection. With so much control of the facilities, maintenance is effective and represents economic savings.
Reducing consumption in utility bills and business efficiency
The monitoring of the consumption of a premises or office contains very important information for the management of a business, among the data it provides are the consumption pattern, peaks in demand, price changes, and others. With all this information, it is possible to optimize the energy efficiency while reducing the cost of water, electricity and gas supplies to a smart place or office.
At a time when energy prices are rising and consumption is limited (with water restrictions due to drought, for example), the consumption control is the most effective way to convert a living space into an energy efficient space.
While the initial cost of installing smart home systems can be significant, it is important to look at the long-term savings that these systems can offer.
Savings in operating and administrative costs, such as reduced utility bills, reduced maintenance or claims, can quickly offset the initial investment.
In addition, it is essential to investigate possible incentives, grants or subsidies available for the installation of home automation systems. There are economic incentives to encourage the adoption of sustainable technologies, such as Eco Housing Plan, by the Junta de Andalucía, which could help reduce that initial cost and improve ROI.
