BRACKNELL, UK, DECEMBER 8, 1999 – Hometronic from Honeywell is a new domestic automation system that makes a home more comfortable and safer, while reducing energy consumption. Hometronic can manage all a home’s systems: central heating, lighting, fans and air conditioners – even the coffee maker and garden sprinkler. Homeowners can link Hometronic to the Internet for remote monitoring and control of their home. A system has been installed in the Laing Homes development in Watford and will soon be available for the UK market.

Homeowners can tell Hometronic what to do, how and when. The system provides individual temperature control in every room of the home. It will switch appliances, lights and services at pre-programmed times or in response to certain events, such as to close blinds and curtains when it gets dark.

A single wall-mounted unit – the Hometronic Manager – allows homeowners to override, change or switch between pre-programmed profiles, or they even can do so remotely via the Internet and a password-protected web page. Using the Internet, temperatures in rooms and the status of switched devices can be monitored and adjusted from anywhere in the world, via password-protected web pages. By linking in closed circuit cameras, occupancy can also be monitored remotely.

In addition, this versatile system is wireless, so it is quick and easy to install without damaging home decorations. It uses a unique multi-frequency transmission radio frequency (RF) system to ensure reliable and consistent operation.

Hometronic room modules monitor the current temperature in each room and transmit by RF to the Hometronic Manager, which can control up to 16 heating zones within the home using RF radiator controllers. These have a battery-operated servomotor for continuous control of the room temperature. Other Honeywell products, such as Air Conditioners and portable High Efficiency Particle Air (HEPA) filter units, can be plugged into any mains socket in the home while being controlled by the Hometronic Manager. To take maximum advantage of reduced-rate electricity, dishwashers, washing machines and tumble dryers can all be programmed to start automatically when it is cheaper.

Owners of rented apartment buildings will also benefit from a new Hometronic feature that allows them to read and apportion the energy consumption in each apartment.

The objective of Hometronic is to tailor the technical aspects of the home according to individual lifestyles. It helps occupants save money and increase living comfort, and makes the installation engineer a competent partner in the configuration of all the technology in the household.

A day in the life of  Honeywell Hometronic
wireless home comfort technology

Honeywell Home and Building Control provides products, services and solutions to create efficient, safe, comfortable indoor environments. The business offers controls for heating, ventilating, humidification and air-conditioning equipment; security and fire alarm systems; home automation systems; energy efficient lighting controls; and building management systems and services. Honeywell has been a leading company in home and building control for over 60 years in Europe and has improved the quality of life in more than 40 million European homes and buildings.

Readers can request further details from: Honeywell Control Systems Ltd., Honeywell House, Arlington Business Park, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1EB. Tel: 01344 656000. Fax: 01344 656240. E-mail: uk.infocentre@honeywell.com

Web: www.honeywell.com/uk

Honeywell is a US$24-billion diversified technology and manufacturing leader, serving customers worldwide with aerospace products and services; control technologies for buildings, homes and industry; automotive products; power generation systems, speciality chemicals; fibres; plastics; and electronic and advanced materials. The company employs approximately 120,000 people in 95 countries. Honeywell is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HON, as well as on the London, Chicago and Pacific stock exchanges. It is one of the 30 stocks that make up the Dow Jones Industrial Average and is also a component of the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index. Additional information on the company is available on the Internet at: http://www.honeywell.com

Contact for press enquiries:

Royer Slater (direct phone: 01344 656379; direct fax: 01344 656034)
Honeywell Control Systems Ltd
Honeywell House
Arlington Business Park
Bracknell
Berkshire RG12 1EB

Switchboard: 01344 656000. Fax: 01344 656240.

E-mail: Personal: royer.slater@uk.honeywell.com
General: uk.infocentre@honeywell.com
Web: www.honeywell.com/uk

This news release is issued in accordance with Clause 1.2j of the British Codes of Advertising and Sales Promotion, and therefore cannot be subject to a transaction of any kind.