Intelligent System Helps Builders Reduce Costs

An intelligent home system has helped save costs for a national house building group, Fairview New Homes Ltd by fitting 40 properties with Square D's Intelligent Home Control (IHC).

An intelligent home system has helped save costs for a national house building group, Fairview New Homes Ltd by fitting all 40 properties at the company's Chesham Gardens, Chesham, development with Square D's Intelligent Home Control (IHC).

The decision to fit IHC followed recommendations from Nigel Booth of Peter J Booth Electrical Contractors.

Any possible leaks from plumbing systems are contained by fitting water leak sensors connected to the IHC central controller.

This has had a great potential saving in these houses as domestic appliances were fitted as standard.

The damage that could result from a leaking water connection to a fitted kitchen can easily cost in excess of £10,000.

Comments Nigel Booth: "The sensors have the ability to detect water leaks and shut off the water supplies saving the builder money by preventing water damage.

The system can pay for itself just by stopping a few leaks".

Fitting IHC as standard means that the owners will benefit from integrated lighting control while utilities such as water and gas are monitored for leaks.

If a water or gas leak occurs the IHC system automatically switches off the supply to ensure safety.

However, there were other advantages for Fairview.

Because light switches, for example, are simply device inputs to the central controller they carry zero voltage.

This meant that the lighting circuits could be fitted into the buildings much earlier than is traditionally the case allowing workers more time on site.

This can mean that an average of two hours extra work a day can be achieved, especially during the winter months, enabling build programmes to be completed much quicker.

Because of the benefits, purchasers of the properties have made enquiries about possible upgrades.

Implementing these will be an on-going process to match individual requirements.

Requested upgrades include a pre-programmed setting called Holiday mode where the heating is set to operate at minimal periods and the lighting comes off and on at logical times throughout the day and night to simulate the presence of people in the house.

Other potential upgrades include remote control of the curtains and alarm systems while lighting can be connected to passive infra red (PIR) detectors.

However, as Booth notes: "The system can be expanded after the installation is complete but, as with all wiring, it is much easier if it is done during the initial building stages".

The cost of fitting the IHC system is about one per cent of the house costs.

Remarks Booth: "There are also savings in time since a qualified electrician should be able to install a system in a couple of days, and the system can be configured in minutes, depending upon the applications installed".

Peter J Booth Electrical Contractors fitted Square D's Qwikline II range of consumer units throughout the buildings.

Booth argues that these units are the safest on the market since they exceed all health and safety (HSE) requirements because the design includes an encapsulated busbar.

The Square D Qwikline consumer units are easy to install reducing labour costs.

Adds Booth: "The unit looks good which makes selling the buildings much easier for the sales team.".

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