In our series of blogs looking at smart buildings, we’ve talked about what they fundamentally are and how they can contribute to sustainability. All the technology can sound a little Sci-Fi and a long way away in the future, and it may seem that the whole subject is not relevant for the here and now. But what tech have we got available for us in this day and age? This blog looks into smart products available for our homes and offices now.



FAKRO roof windows with Z-wave technology
For those looking to build a Smart Home, FAKRO FTP-V natural pine and FTU-V white, PU-coated roof windows now incorporate technology which enables compatible household appliances to “communicate” with each other for control locally or remotely via PC, mobile or tablet. Products from the world’s leading manufacturers including Apple, Intel, Panasonic, GEC and Danfoss have received Z-Wave certification which involves stringent conformance testing. Imagine opening your blinds with a touch of a button!



Tissino Intelligente shower system
Tissino Intelligente digital shower system has been expertly designed for hotels, leisure complexes, apartments, hospital and homes and harness the latest in technological advances. It’s proven to achieve dramatic water and energy savings through its intelligent E-valve system and an online water and energy management application “SmartGrid”, which allows the user to monitor, control and adjust water consumption, inlet pressures and conduct legionella cleanses with detailed updates, reports, diagnostics and health checks via an android app or PC. Talk about a smart shower!



Touch Screen Controller for Hamilton’s Mercury® Lighting
The Mercury® DK1 and the DK1E lighting control kits present an ideal ‘out-of-the-box’ opportunity for electrical installers to exploit the growing trend towards a smarter home. Described as entry-level systems, both the DK1 and the DK1E kits contain everything needed to control one lighting circuit with the now standard ‘Touch Screen’ control plate. The DK1 kit is controlled using a wired touch screen plate, and the DK1E has built-in Ethernet and enables wireless control via iPad and iPhone using Hamilton’s downloadable APP, available on the APP Store. No more wondering if you left the lights on or not!



Intelligent recycling from CONTENUR
The increase in waste generation in cities and the new recycling targets outlined by the European Union for the year 2020 has led to several companies developing efficient solutions to obtain more sustainable environments. To name but one, CONTENUR has developed the Recycla system, a new concept in urban waste management which applies new technologies to waste collection. The system includes the installation of smart waste containers equipped with card readers to open the lids, and personalised information for residents. The intelligent elements can be accessed through an app on a smart phone or a tablet, and the software can read and analyse the users’ data to identify their recycling habits and optimise the waste collection and management costs.