Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 1, 1995 TAG: 9508010033
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DAVID BUTLER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A: Technological innovation sometimes has unforeseen consequences. Air conditioning, recognized as one of this century's important inventions, has made it all too easy to keep our homes closed up all year. Consequently, few people take advantage of windows for ventilation.
Even during the hottest and coldest months, most regions of the country have periods of moderate temperatures. This is a great time to "air out" the house after being closed up for weeks at a time - yet most people don't bother. Ventilation is especially important in today's air-tight homes where indoor air can grow stale with household pollutants and excess carbon dioxide (CO2).
Motorized windows make it easy to ventilate your house. At the touch of a button, you can open a single window, a group of windows or a house full of windows. Closing them is just as easy. Some models even have automatic locks!
Extravagant? Most people wouldn't say that about power windows in a car or an automatic garage door opener. Granted, automating every window in your house could cost a small fortune. Now THAT would be extravagant! But for most of us, motorizing several key windows would yield similar results at a fraction of the cost.
Almost any rotary crank-operated window or skylight is a candidate for motorization, including casement windows, awning windows, roof windows and roll-down shutters. Several prominent window and skylight manufacturers have added motors and controls to their product lines. The additional hardware is typically produced and made available by third-party manufacturers.
Attaching a motor to an existing window is relatively easy. In most cases, the biggest challenge is finding a way to conceal the low-voltage wiring that powers the motor. Depending on the location and type of window, snaking wires through existing walls may not be feasible. If exposed wires are necessary, the distances are usually short (e.g., from the window frame to the ceiling or floor).
Motorized window systems usually operate on low voltage current (usually 24 volts AC). Except for the power supply - which plugs into a standard wall outlet - all wiring is lightweight, similar to telephone cable. Nevertheless, most manufacturers recommend that installation be completed by a qualified electrician.
In terms of daily use, the most important consideration is the method of control. For example, one motor's switch is right on the casing. This wouldn't be practical for a skylight or hard-to-reach window. Most systems operate from a low-voltage wall switch, dedicated keypad or hand-held remote. If you plan to install more than one motor, make sure you opt for a multi-channel controller.
When combined with a smart controller, motorized windows can be set to open and shut according to current conditions. In your particular case, an inexpensive thermostat should do the trick. Other automation options include rain sensors, humidistats, power line carrier controllers and CO2 sensors.
To receive a list of companies that manufacture motors and electronic controls for windows and skylights, please send $1.50 and a self-addressed envelope to David Butler F-523, Department TWN, 14713 Pleasant Hill Road, Charlotte, N.C. 28278-7927. The list includes toll-free phone numbers and a summary of each company's products. You'll also receive information on interfacing motorized windows with power line carrier control systems.
HomeTech News: The Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association (CEDIA) has produced a consumer-oriented brochure entitled Home Entertainment ... At Your Fingertips. It provides an overview of custom installed electronic systems including home theater, multi-room entertainment and home automation. For a free copy, write to CEDIA at 9200 N. Meridian St., Suite 200, Indianapolis, Ind. 46260.
by CNB