And you don’t have to DIY
Automating SA's homes - a user's guide
The Internet of Things could change your home and theoretically make it easier to lessen the drudgery of home ownership
The harsh passage light that hits your eyes when you stumble into the kitchen in the middle of the night is close to the worst way to have your sleep interrupted. Think of what a difference well-placed sensors would make. With a bit of code running in the background, you would be able to make the trip to the kitchen sink or fridge with dim lights that switch on when you need them, without you having to do a thing.He also installed an irrigation system to water his herbs and vegetables, and introduced sensors to measure the level of moisture in the soil so the system is aware of when to water. He has ensured that the cupboard used to house the solar batteries — which he uses to store electricity generated from the solar panels from his roof — is kept cool, with an extraction fan triggered by a temperature sensor, to minimise damage to the batteries, which can overheat. Should the cupboard get too hot, a notification alert is sent to his phone. Mcleod looked for an off-the-shelf syste...
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