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Simplicity is the missing element in heating controls

The home heating/cooling industry is in turmoil as technologies vie for pole position in the hearts, minds and wallets of homeowners. They are being conditioned to believe that nothing short of spending thousands to replace what they already have can save the Earth. enerally, we do not need to change what’s already installed to meet immediate climate change targets. Households could immediately save money and reduce emissions very simply by fi tting user-friendly controls.

The 00s saw the bimetallic strip thermostat invented for commerce, but it took as long as the 60s before it had transitioned for use in domestic central heating. The 0s saw the awakening of environmentalism as energy scarcity led to rising costs which drove the development of Building Management Systems. However, manufacturers refused to consider the needs of homeowners.

Smart controls appeared around 20 0. One might think their emergence into the mainstream meant a massive reduction in energy consumption but, heartbreakingly, you’d be wrong. espite being so potentially capable and effi cient, today’s controls remain to homeowners like the impenetrable forest in Sleeping Beauty.

No matter what type of system homeowners install, it is only as good as the homeowners’ understanding of its controls. n usability terms, today’s controls are appalling. Instructions have barely changed since the 80s and it’s universally demanded that homeowners speak fl uent controls’. hen they don’t, homeowners think it’s their’ fault. How profoundly disturbing.

I estimate that poorly set up or under-utilised controls account for about a third of our excess energy consumption. Those who represent manufacturers lay the blame fi rmly at the front door of homeowners apparently it’s their inability or apathy that’s the problem. ontrols are still not designed around the needs of individuals, and with an aging population, this is a growing problem. Those over 65 will rise by approximately % by 2050 and those living longer are expected to rise by 30%. This means a third of homes will be occupied by people past retirement age by 20 0. Over 55’s are the largest consumers of home energy, and they are also less inclined to engage with complex systems like some heating controls.

Manufacturers need to address their design of controls to make them more user friendly for everybody. For a start, would suggest relabelling smart’ controls to remove the unconscious stigma and fear obstructing purchase. itch controls’ language and focus on simple nglish. For e ample, what time does the fi rst person get up? This could set optimum start time. Does anyone work or go to school closer than half a mile from home? This could enable geo-fencing and set the area. have asked many homeowners why they won’t consider smart’ controls. he essence of the comments was that their home doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things’. ruth is, that’s a sop, an easy, barely, socially acceptable answer. Further examination uncovers unexpressed fear of change, of increased costs, of failure (various including inability to master) as well as fear of losing control’ of their home. hey may seem illogical’ to controls’ insiders, but they are real. They must be acknowledged, respected, understood, treated as fact and then answered unequivocally, supportively and resoundingly to overcome this global reticence.

Think about the future

No case can be made for system replacement without appropriate controls. We need controls where intelligence beavers away behind the scenes delivering surface serenity i.e., fi nancial benefi ts for homeowners and the reduced emissions planet Earth needs.

It will be an unmitigated environmental disaster to replace systems not currently being controlled properly with diff erent systems not being controlled properly. Replacing all existing controls with more user-friendly alternatives will ma imise e isting system effi ciencies and positively impact emissions overnight. This will buy valuable time to properly assess alternative energy options, to train installers and to re-confi gure housing stock to become suitable for tomorrow’s energy sources. ontrols technology A be harnessed to support the fallibility of human beings. We need to reset the existing paradigm to guide us through the impenetrable forest to deliver that all important kiss to awaken the Sleeping eauty that is planet arth. ho will be the people’s controls champion in the race to save our planet? David Newton Via email

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A handy guide to getting rich quick

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