Smart Switch: Intelligent Lighting Systems for Sustainability

Lighting is a significant contributor to a building's overall energy consumption. However, smart lighting, which combines intelligence based on IoT, sensors, and energy-efficient sources, can actually lower the amount of energy consumed by lighting. Smart lighting has long been popular in commercial and industrial settings over the years, focussing on energy conservation. 

More pocket-friendly solutions are now catching up with users in residential environments beyond the apparent benefit of significant energy savings, such as creating a comfortable environment and preserving user wellness and convenience, thanks to technological advancements.

Have you ever wondered what type of lighting is the most environmentally friendly? Let us dive into the comprehensive ways smart lighting systems can cut down on electricity usage and are good for your pocket:

Daylight Sensors and Dimmers

Smart lighting solutions can alter lighting based on available daylight in addition to user occupancy. These photo-sensors prevent lights from turning on when there's ample natural light. As a result, you won't have to worry about turning off your lights constantly. Plus, this also means higher energy savings. Additionally, daylight controls can be integrated with dimmers, usually used to increase a room's visual appeal. However, it can provide multi-faceted benefits like helping you save money on your power bill and reducing electricity consumption. In addition, dimmers are proven to extend the life of your lights because they reduce the flow of electricity to the bulb and allow lights to operate with lower power outputs.

To improve energy savings, consumers can combine light dimmers with other controls such as motorised blinds and other window coverings. These lighting systems adjust light intensity according to space conditions and are a promising solution in an age where sustainable solutions are becoming more important.

Smart Occupancy Sensors

Sensors that detect indoor activity in a specific area are called occupancy sensors. They save energy by turning lights off or limiting light output when unoccupied space. Additionally, they enhance your experience by turning the lights on automatically when someone enters a room. Smart Sensors that respond to occupancy have contributed towards making automation solutions more intuitive and sophisticated. As a result, much of the smart home experience revolves around these sensors. 

Furthermore, increasing the performance of smart homes and eliminating clutter by simplifying various functions, occupancy sensors help streamline lighting solutions and the corresponding energy consumption. 

Timers and Automation

Lights can be turned on and off at precise times using timers. One can automate indoor and outdoor lights with programmable digital timers, which resemble digital thermostats. They can be used in conjunction with other controls to a great effect. For example, a daylight sensor that turns lights on in the evening and a timer that shuts the lights off at a specific hour of the night may be the finest combination for aesthetic, smart lighting. Homeowners can also save energy by using timers to switch lights on and off when not at home.

Motion Sensors

Motion sensors for lighting control evolved from the initial function in home security against intruders. There is now a range of sensors that are specifically developed to control lighting for various applications. They provide an inexpensive and effective way to save energy by shutting off lights as per occupancy. 

Smart Window Treatments

Connecting motorised blinds to a smart home hub can help save energy by allowing the blinds to react independently to readings from temperature and sunlight sensors that are also linked to the smart hub. As a result, the blinds will know when to close during the hottest portion of the day to save energy and when to open during a sunny winter day to enable the sun to heat a room naturally.

Up to 50% of your home's heating and cooling energy go waste if you don't use energy-efficient window treatments. Thus, smart window treatments bring down lighting costs and significantly optimise the heating/cooling requirements of a space.

Personalisation and Flexibility

To get the most of your smart lighting systems it is best to have them tailor-made to your needs. Integrate various smart home components to get efficient results. All of the above components can be brought together to optimise consumption. These include light dimmers, timers, sensors, in combination with other automation controls such as motorised blinds and other window treatments, help to reduce carbon emissions by maximising the use of natural light and surrounding conditions to meet the energy demands as needed. 

We need to consume resources more efficiently to meet the needs of a growing population. Switching to intelligent lighting solutions would drastically minimise energy use. Smart lighting systems that change light intensity based on the given environment are suitable for satisfying the growing need for ecologically friendly solutions. With advancements in IoT and the growing interest in energy efficiency, a smart lighting system is a game-changer.

How to use AI to automate your commercial offices with smart devices.

 Implementing home automation and lighting control systems in commercial settings can provide numerous benefits, including improved energy efficiency, enhanced comfort and productivity for occupants, streamlined operations, and reduced maintenance costs. Here are some key considerations for deploying these systems in commercial environments:

          Energy Efficiency: Utilize smart lighting systems with occupancy sensors, daylight harvesting, and scheduling capabilities to optimize energy usage. These systems can automatically adjust lighting levels based on occupancy and natural light availability, minimizing energy waste.

                     Centralized Control: Implement centralized control systems that allow facility managers to monitor and manage lighting across the entire commercial space from a single interface. This enables convenient adjustment of lighting settings, scheduling, and troubleshooting.

                     Integration with Building Management Systems (BMS): Integrate lighting control with the building's BMS for seamless coordination with other building systems such as HVAC, security, and access control. This integration enables comprehensive building automation and optimization of energy usage.

                     Occupant Comfort and Productivity: Tailor lighting settings to enhance occupant comfort and productivity. Consider implementing circadian lighting solutions that mimic natural daylight patterns to promote well-being and maintain optimal alertness levels throughout the day.

                     Personalization: Offer customizable lighting settings for individual workspaces or areas within the commercial building. Employees may have preferences for different lighting levels or color temperatures based on their tasks or personal preferences.

                     Task Lighting: Implement task-specific lighting solutions in areas where precision tasks are performed, such as offices, laboratories, or manufacturing facilities. Task lighting  can improve visibility and reduce eye strain, enhancing productivity and accuracy.

                     Maintenance Monitoring and Alerts: Deploy smart sensors and monitoring systems to track the health and performance of lighting fixtures. Proactive maintenance alerts can help identify issues early, minimize downtime, and extend the lifespan of lighting equipment.

                     Integration with Occupancy Tracking Systems: Integrate lighting control with occupancy tracking systems to gather data on space utilization patterns. This Information can inform space planning decisions, optimize resource allocation, and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.

                     Scalability and Flexibility: Choose scalable and flexible lighting control solutions that can accommodate future expansion or changes in the layout of the commercial space. Modular systems and wireless technologies can facilitate easy scalability and reconfiguration as needed.

                     Compliance and Sustainability: Ensure that lighting control systems comply with relevant building codes and sustainability standards. Look for energy-efficient lighting fixtures, controls, and automation strategies that support the organization's sustainability goals and initiatives.

By implementing home automation and lighting control solutions tailored to commercial environments, businesses can create more comfortable, efficient, and productive workspaces while also reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

 

Automation Forecast 2022: What's In, What's Out

As we enter 2022, there is plenty to unpack from the previous year in terms of smart homes, especially 

automation systems. In this post-pandemic world, traditional lighting methods are fast becoming mundane 

thanks to consumer awareness and easier availability of automation products – not to forget the added 

advantage of affordable prices. What are the automation trends that will drive the coming year and how 

feasible would these changes be for Indian homes?

Let's take a quick look at some of the most anticipated smart home automation systems trends for 2022:

Energy Efficiency

Smart Homes are designed for optimal performance by using internet-connected devices to enable remote 

monitoring and improve user experience. In 2022, we expect to see more homes getting smarter and 

energy efficient. The technological boom enables power savings, reduced usage and provides plenty of 

smart home appliances that are compatible with clean energy sources like solar energy.

Automated lighting solutions adjust lighting based on occupancy and available daylight. Light dimmers 

integrated with other controls like motorized shades and window treatments reduce carbon footprint by 

making the most of natural light and keeping the indoors cooler or warmer as per occupant requirements. 

These lighting systems alter light intensity based on room conditions and cater immensely to the 

increasing need for sustainable solutions.

Smart Sensors

Smart Sensors contribute towards making automation solutions more intuitive and sophisticated. Much of 

the smart home experience revolves around these sensors.

In addition, they increase the performance of smart homes and eliminate clutter by simplifying various 

functions. For instance, occupancy sensors switch on or switch off devices based on sensors, which 

prevents electricity wastage. An added bonus is one doesn't have to constantly worry about leaving the air 

conditioner or lights on. One can integrate these with motion sensors to activate security cameras and send 

notifications to smart phones. Similarly, smoke and carbon dioxide detectors can minimise potential fire or 

smoke hazards.

Home Theatre Systems

With homes becoming refuges and restricted access to movie theaters, customers have a newfound interest 

in owning a home theatre system. Integration of various smart home products can create the ultimate smart 

home viewing experience. 

These include a projector, screen, and surround sound, as well as lighting, motorised blinds, and other 

accessories. All home theatre components can be accessed and managed using a single device, such as a

smartphone, tablet, or remote, using automation. Reclining in the comfort of your couch or chair, one can 

simply use the smartphone to turn on the sound system and screen, browse content, adjust the volume, 

turn out the lights, and push play. Not only can automation make the functioning of the home-theatre 

system simpler, but it can enhance the cinematic experience.

Smart Home Security

Security and access control systems that combine lighting, alarm, and closed-circuit video management 

into a single interface will become more popular in the coming year. Motion sensors are projected to 

become standard features of alarm systems as they become more advanced. Integrating security provisions 

like Intrusion Detection System and IP based Video Door Phone on remote smartphone devices to 

monitor, record visitor entry and have control of electronic locks will also gain popularity.

Automation is an excellent tool for making our lives more convenient, comfortable and hassle-free. 

Saving time and increasing efficiency, these smart homes are not only for the tech-savvy but also for those 

looking for cost savings, energy efficiency, and increased security. With automation on the rise, 

improvements in IoT and innovations like the 'meta-verse', smart homes will be the new normal soon.

Hospitality Automation

Lighting needs in hospitality sector are no longer restricted to illuminating the space and enabling visibility. It, however, has evolved to be something that gives the visitors an experience of the place. Good lighting has the potential to transform the space and give the venue a character, look and feel. Today, we have different lighting control modules, each playing a distinct role to enable energy efficient lighting solutions.

Different areas require different type of lighting according to the function they perform. Lighting in the past decades, used to be a supplementary element to the overall scheme of a space. Now it has become a key element in a design scheme, and sometimes, is even used as a distinct feature in and of itself. The lighting solutions for hotels are chosen depending upon the requirement of the space. The type of lighting used enhances the look of the area and gives the visitors an experience in itself. Dull, dimly lit space often disappoint the visitors unless the space specifically requires such type of lighting. Lighting can play a huge role in the success of your hotel and how others perceive it. 

In the Hospitality sector, the major focus is on achieving the correct ambience with lighting controls. Hotels which are energy conscious stress on reducing energy consumption through controls. Dimmer compatible lights are a new addition to hospitality lighting solutions as they give the guests liberty to adjust the lights as per their needs. Such fixtures with dimmers also add to the overall aesthetics of the room liberating it from ugly looking light bulbs, while also adding an element of automation. This allows the users a higher level of control over his surrounding environment, which also helps them get more comfortable in a space. Hotel industry is continuously experimenting with the type of lighting they use. The innovations and developments are making it easier for the designers to use lights to accentuate the overall look of the space – both from the inside and outside.

Different types of lighting like light installations, façade lighting, controllable chandeliers, accent lights, dimmable LEDs etc are now used in the hotels. The LED industry is also changing at a very fast pace. Everyday there are new innovations and inventions. These changes and developments bring new opportunities along in terms of innovative and energy saving lighting solutions. We at Anusha Technovision (ATPL) strive to provide automation services in many sectors, including hospitality. From customizable guestroom automation to public area lighting controls, there is something for everyone. The products used and augmented in a design scheme by ATPL is versatile and allows designers a lot of flexibility in the way it can be implemented in a space, whether in an installation or the broader lighting scheme, making it an economical choice in terms of energy consumption.

Dos and don’ts of designing a Smart Home 

A Smart Home is one wherein all appliances are connected to the internet in order to enable remote monitoring and management of appliances and systems such as air conditioning lighting, security systems and audio-video systems. 

Smart home technology provides homeowners comfort, security and convenience by allowing them to control smart devices by means of a smart home app on their smartphones or on other network connected devices.

Setting up a Smart Home can become an easier task if one takes informed decisions and keeps certain key factors in mind. From seemingly simple lighting systems to complicated entertainment options, one wrong move can end up blowing fuses- your own and the ones in your home. Hence, we have come up with a list of few Dos and Don’ts of designing your Smart Homes.

Do’s

 1. Do your homework: Put in some thoughts as to what you want your smart home to be like and what is the kind of automation you will need. A clear plan with specifics marked out can help get the best results.

2. Check for compatibility: If you want a system on the “Smart” network, the system should allow communication between itself and the Smart controller. For example, not all LED lights can be dimmed or controlled. Similarly, a standalone HVAC system that does not talk to a 3^rd party control system can’t be part of a common user interface that controls all devices in a home.

3. Identify the control systems OEM: Keep in mind that controls are the most important aspect of home automation. The complete process of smart homes is intended to make lives simpler;if one has to open 10 apps just to switch on/off the lights, then the entire process is a waste. Hence, make sure all controls are handy and easy to use, and that it is not a tedious task. More importantly, ask the question -is the control system company having a product portfolio that is reliable and known as “good quality”? Remember- a cheaper system may not always be “value for money”.

4. Choose a Smart Home System Integrator (SI) based on their record of performance in the industry: Always ask for reference of similar work done for other homeowners. An SI who is new to the industry (less than 3-4 years of experience) or one who  has just tied up with a OEM recently is a risk and you do not want to be the “Test case”

5. Pick one major hub: Choose your default user interface for the Smart Home. Is it going to be a smart keypad? Is it going to be your phone? Is it going to be a wired touch panel on wall? Or is it going to be a voice control system (Google or Alexa, etc.) that you prefer? While it doesn’t have to be one or the other (it can be combination of all), choice upfront for every room would help define the board contours of what your smart control system would look like.

6. Factor in the Wi-Fi network: Most of the devices of your Smart Home will make use of the Wi-Fi network, its connectivity and speed will have considerable effect on usage and often clutter your network, unless you have made provisions for enough bandwidth.

7. Spend on a capable Firewall: A Firewall can harden the home network against external threats such as malware and hacks. These days, one can buy a special device, like a dedicated firewall, to enhance effective security for you home Wi-Fi. Smart devices don't come with built-in anti-virus or firewalls; adding an extra device can provide that extra bit of protection.

Don'ts

1. Don’t buy products blindly: In the domain of home automation, the devices are generally connected and communicate with each other. Some devices may use different communication technologies. Hence, always check product features and choose products that are compatible with your home system.

2. Don’t hesitate to call in experts: This is the golden age of DIY philosophy and most consumer-grade home automation products these days come with easy installation techniques. But if you are not well versed in any of the aspects, especially when dealing with networking or electrical circuits, do seek expert help. Look for qualified professionals, as this is a relatively new field and a badly executed automation system is worse than having no automation.

3. Don’t use your default Password: If you want the flexibility of control of your home network from anywhere in the world, you need to observe some basic common sense rules. Making sure your control processor doesn’t have default password. Not using a simple password (such as your/ your wife’s name) could help against mischief makers.

4. Don’t skimp on devices: Cheaper devices and routers may also have weaker security protocols- Known, Trusted brands are much better in this aspect. They may be pricier, but one can get better security and performance with these. Past cyber-attacks have focused heavily on devices manufactured by mid or low-tier brands.

Remember these guidelines and pointers when you plan your home automation upgrades - They may help save you money and a lot of grief.

- Alok Hada, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd.