Water heating is the third largest energy expense, accounting for 14 to 17% of energy costs. Automating the water heater can result in significant savings on utility bills. While the savings can add up for primary residences, this feature is even more beneficial for second homes and vacation properties. Businesses can also benefit from automated water heaters, especially in businesses with weekly schedules (like those that are only open on Monday-Friday).
M1 Controls make it easy to control the water heater based on time of day, system arm state, or other events.
Electric Water Heaters
Using the ELK-9200 Heavy Duty Relay/Contactor
The ELK-9200 is a heavy duty relay designed to control high current loads, including electric water heaters. It works with an appliance style automation module to turn the water heater on/off. Appliance modules are available from many M1 integration partners, including UPB, Insteon, and Z-Wave. This allows M1 to send simple on/off lighting commands through rules.
Gas Water Heaters
Using a Gas Water Heat Timer
A gas water heater timer installs in place of the existing water heater “gas control knob”. It plugs into an integrated appliance style automation module. Appliance modules are available from many M1 integration partners, including UPB, Insteon, and Z-Wave. This allows M1 to send simple on/off lighting commands through rules.
RULES EXAMPLES
Schedule
The water heater is turned off at 8:30AM, and is turned back on at 4:00PM
WHENEVER THE TIME IS 8:30AM
THEN TURN Water Heater [48(C16)] OFF
WHENEVER THE TIME IS 4:00AM
THEN TURN Water Heater [48(C16)] ON
Conditional "AND" statements can further define the automation of the water heater and may include days of the week, arm state, etc.
Arm State
On Monday-Friday, the water heater is turned off when the system is armed away.
WHENEVER Area One (Area 1) IS ARMED AWAY
AND THE DAY(S) OF THE WEEK IS/ARE -MTWTF-
THEN TURN Water Heater [48(C16)] OFF
Consider other possibilities, including vacation mode arming. Businesses that are unoccupied on the weekends may want to exclude the "days of the week" condition.