Integration is the creation of links between previously separate systems. Take for example window shades or drapes (system 1) and your furnace and or air conditioning systems (system 2). By integrating the systems you can save costs on heating or air conditioning. It’s really quite simple. A thermostat informs the system the temperature in a given area is changing. If the day is sunny, raising the shades allows the sun to warm the room on the south side of the house. On the other sides of the house lowering the shades can help reduce heat the loss through windows.
Obviously the reverse is true as well. When air conditioning is called for, raising and lowering shades can prevent the sunshine from heating a room.
It is also very convenient to have the window shades lowered at night to preserve the air temperature in the house and provide privacy at the same time.
Taking this one step further, when doors and windows areopened for fresh air in the summer, turn off the air conditioning….. as my Father would say,”we’re not trying to cool down the great out doors”.
Integration of systems makes sense. At the same time you are able to reduce your carbon footprint and save money too.
In a word, it’s all good.
oughly a century ago electric lights were introduced into homes. At the time a simple bulb in the middle of the room was controlled with a switch on the wall. Today’s modern home design incorporates dozens of lights in single room, and often six or more switches (or dimmers) to control the lights. This seems so antiquated. Almost all cars have lighting control in them for a reason. You could have a dozen light switches to control the lights in the glove box, floor, dome, trunk, and even the headlights…. is it necesary to go on? These have been automated for quite a while now, and we, the general public, expect it.
