Smart behavior

October 21, 2012 at 12:00a.m.

McClatchy Newspapers

AKRON

Our homes are getting smarter.

Smart technology that automates our homes’ devices is becoming mainstream, making it convenient for us to rein in our energy use and cut our energy bills.

Come to think of it, maybe we’re the smart ones.

Smart technology isn’t new, but until fairly recently it’s been complicated to install and priced out of most people’s reach.

Now many systems boast plug-and-play simplicity, and affordable options are as close as your local big box store.

Probably the biggest factor in that change is the rise of wireless technology, said Ian Hendler, director of business development for Leviton Manufacturing, which makes home automation devices.

Actually, “wireless” isn’t an entirely accurate term, Hendler noted. Some technology is truly wireless, using radio frequency to send signals. Other technology is more accurately called “no new wire” or power line networking, meaning the signals travel over the home’s existing wires.

Sometimes the two technologies can be mixed, opening up even more options.

Smart systems allow automatic or remote control of an array of devices that affect our heating, cooling and electrical costs, such as thermostats, lights, window shades, appliances and electronics, said Laura Hubbard, a spokesperson for the Consumer Electronics Association.

Typically you can use a smart phone, tablet or computer to see what’s running and how much electricity is being used, she said. You can then use that information to make decisions, such as turning off your cable box when you’re away or overriding your thermostat’s programming when you’re working late.

Remote access is beneficial because it allows you to override settings you’ve chosen in advance, Hendler said. Scheduling is great, but “life doesn’t always happen on a schedule,” he said.

Some of the functions of smart systems won’t save on your energy bills, but they do have a wow factor.

Imagine entering a code to unlock your front door and having that code automatically turn on lights, launch your favorite music and maybe warm up your hot tub.

Hendler said Honeywell is even working on a system that will sense your approach using the GPS software on your cell phone, so you won’t even have to press a button to make all that happen.

Hubbard said manufacturers are jumping on board, embedding smart technology in everything from air-conditioning compressors to clothes washers.

Evidence of the growing reach of smart technology is Lowe’s recent introduction of a smart home- automation system called Iris. It’s designed to be affordable for the average consumer, easy to install and capable of accommodating whole-house automation, said Kevin Meagher, general manager and vice president for Lowe’s smart home.

Iris comes in three starter kits ranging in price from $179 to $299. One kit focuses on home security and monitoring, allowing you to get notifications if a security sensor is triggered. One contains a smart thermostat and also lets you control one other electrical device in your house and monitor its power use. The third kit combines the features of the other two.

The kits come with free basic service that provides a limited array of alerts and gives you remote control of some functions.

Iris is expected to be in all Lowe’s stores by early next year, Meagher said.

Another smart device that’s gotten a lot of attention is the Nest thermostat, which was designed to automate and simplify the process of programming a thermostat.

The need for the Nest was rooted in the simple fact that most programmable thermostats don’t get programmed, said Kate Brinks, director of corporate communication for Nest Labs Inc.

The Nest, on the other hand, learns your schedule from the adjustments you make to it, either by turning a dial on the unit or operating it remotely. It also senses your presence, so it can adjust the temperature if you’re home when you’re normally gone or vice versa.

The Nest is available for $249 on Nest.com, or you can buy in from Amazon.com or Lowes.com. Nest also offers installation for an additional cost.