Environmental Control Systems

Home automation for the elderly and disabled can provide increased independence and quality of life as they are able to control functions in their own home, such as lighting or heating control by themselves without the assistance of a relative or carer.

In basic terms, we refer to home automation as anything that gives you remote or automatic control of things around the home. Environmental control systems form part of home automation and enable you to manage everyday domestic appliances and mechanisms by remote control. Mechanisms that can be operated include door and window openers, electronic curtain rails and blinds. Appliances that can be operated include lamps and lighting, such as a motion sensor light, televisions, telephones and heating.

The search for new solutions that can guarantee greater independence and a better quality of life as the global population ages, has led to the development of state-of-the-art ‘home automation’ technology. Home control is all about comfort, safety and energy savings. These systems are ideal for people with limited movement who may struggle to operate devices that are in hard to reach places and would like to control them personally at the touch of a button or activation of a switch.

Intelligent home automation, which can include a simple motion sensor light through to entire climate control systems, is now available to support the elderly and the disabled to manage their domestic environment, whatever their physical ability. A significant range of benefits result from the use of home automation systems: greater safety, independence and self-esteem. For some it may be something as simple as installing hands free lights. For others, home security may be the most important application.

Ranging in their complexity, some environmental control systems turn one or two devices on and off , others control a range of settings for several devices and look like a portable, touch-screen display panel. If you have limited dexterity then many environmental control systems can be operated with one or two large switches. Ways to remotely control light and climate are among the most popular and easily installed devices. These include hands free lights, also known as the motion sensor lights. By illuminating dark spaces upon entering, a motion sensor light reduces the chances of trips or falls. Similarly, the ability to adapt heating and air conditioning settings from the comfort of the chair or bed makes climate control and stabilising your environment simple.