Building automation specialist B.E.G. is giving electrical contractors the opportunity to become approved installers of its wireless Smarthome systems for free.
The B.E.G. approved Smarthome installer scheme provides a new revenue opportunity for domestic electrical contractors with training on how to install and operate the system for use in the home. The course is four hours in duration and is held regionally for ease of access and is free of charge.
As energy bills have soared, home owners have become increasingly aware of energy saving solutions including lighting and heating control. But previously, due to the cost and complexity of the products available, home automation systems have not reached the mainstream market. A top-of- the-range hard wired system costs around £75,000. Typically, installing such a system could take many weeks and involve lots of building work and so was favoured as an option for new builds.
However B.E.G.’s wireless Smarthome system, which was launched in the UK last year, offers high levels of sophistication and functionality but at an affordable price. Being wireless the system can be installed into existing or new build properties. A B.E.G. Smarthome system for a standard three-bedroom house costs approximately £4,000 and takes just one day to install.
B.E.G’s system integrates electrical devices in a home with each other and allows remote control of lighting, heating, blinds, gates, garage doors and other appliances, without the need for additional cabling. It is designed to deliver significant energy savings and can be operated via a smartphone or tablet.
The system can conserve energy by switching off lighting and appliances in rooms that are not being used or turn down the heating in a room which is not occupied. These are all ways of saving energy and reducing fuel bills making home automation a worthwhile investment for homeowners.
The German manufacturer’s solution provides homeowners with improved security, energy efficiency and convenience. This includes switching, e-metering, heating control and smoke detection which can all be controlled and monitored via the B.E.G. MyControl Unit or remotely from a smartphone, tablet or PC.
BEG’s Smarthome uses Z-Wave – a wireless communications protocol that uses MESH capability and allows the devices within the system to ‘talk’ to one another and transmit messages across it. The MESH system will choose the optimum path for messages to be sent through up to four devices to reach its final destination.
A contractor can design the system with the customer so it incorporates the functionality that they desire for their home. The modular nature of the system means that it can be extended at any time, giving the customer flexibility to adapt it to their changing needs and requirements.
B.E.G’s new Smarthome is simple to install and configure with devices fitted in ceilings or installation boxes that require no additional circuitry. Device programming is straightforward and similar to pairing Bluetooth devices or wireless gaming machines.
B.E.G. Smarthome Business Manager Gary Walker said: “The B.E.G approved installer scheme offers electrical contractors a great new revenue opportunity. The training is absolutely free and takes only half a day to complete due to the simplicity of our wireless Smarthome system. The home automation market is a rapidly expanding and exciting market especially when you consider how quickly smartphones and tablets have become an integral part of our lives. Becoming a B.E.G. Smarthome installer is an opportunity for electrical contractors to open a new revenue stream for their businesses.”
