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| Z-Wave-based solutions reduce heating costs As part of the 1st European Home Control Summit, taking place in Frankfurt/Main from 8th to 9th April, Z-Wave Alliance will be presenting solutions which reduce heating costs and electricity consumption in each and every household. The use of Z-Wave-based "wireless" radiator thermostats alone, for example, can lower heating costs by up to 30 percent: for the average household, that means savings of up to EURO 500.00 a year. Alongside the thermostats, the Summit will showcase solutions which also bring considerable reductions in other household electricity consumption. In recent years, world-wide electricity and heating costs have sky-rocketed, particularly in Europe. Heaters and radiators are Germany's biggest energy consumer, yet essential for home comfort. According to the Heizspiegel, the independent body for heating cost comparisons in Germany, fuel oil costs have risen by 44.3 percent since 2000 and gas costs by 57.8 percent. According to a German independent watchdog agency electricity costs have also risen by an average of 50 percent since 2000. An increasing number of Germans are looking to deal with the drastic price rises through economy. 73 percent of those questioned by the polling institute FORSA said they wished to save on energy costs in 2008. House and apartment owners in older buildings in particular are being forced to practice economy due to the rapid rise in energy prices. "In such a situation, the industry faces the challenge of providing consumers with the means necessary so that they themselves can economize", explains Bernd Grohmann, Senior Director, Product Marketing at Zensys. "Z-Wave technology makes it possible exactly to control or adjust energy consumption for each device, each room or the entire house. The use of a wide range of sensors and controllers means that consumers may now, at any time, adjust their home environment to meet their desired energy consumption level." A large number of inexpensive Z-Wave products are already available. These allow the consumer significantly reduce his energy consumption. Companies such as Danfoss, Merten, Innovus, Seluxit, Everspring, düwi, Hawking, and Horstmann have already launched home control products in the European market which allow energy costs to be monitored and controlled. The Danish Electricity Savings Trust recommends Z-Wave Z-Wave's role in saving energy is also demonstrated in a recent study published by the Danish Electricity Saving Trust (DEST), an influential state non-profit organization which assists consumers and public institutions in saving energy. The trust has recommended Z-Wave as the ideal technology for use in the wireless home communication sector. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Construction News :: home page |