Modern kitchens have a way to go until food replicators and self-cleaning countertops become the standard in our homes, but until then, kitchen technology advancements with tablets and smartphones are as cutting edge as it gets. Many of these developments take the form of apps. Before we delve into the details of Control4’s new smart appliance app, we’ve included a few of our other favorite apps for those wielding more than just spatulas in the kitchen.

iPhone:

Foodily – content curator from many different cooking and food sites
How to Cook Everything – Assembled by NY Times columnist, lots of great visuals
The Better Bacon Book – dedicated to smoky swine, ‘nuff said

Droid:

Recipe Search – Easily categorized, expansive selections
Calorie Counter – Great for those seeking to lose weight
KnowledgeBook: Cooking – Measurement conversions, obscure cooking terms and more make this a valuable kitchen app

While these kitchen apps are incredibly useful for getting information, they don’t actually control anything or provide any sort of technological innovation. As kitchen appliances progress, however, so too will our ability to interact with them. The newest example is the Control4 Smart Appliance App and Smart Appliance Module, developed by Card Access for Sub-Zero, Inc., and Wolf Appliance, Inc., the industry leaders in premium refrigeration and cooking equipment.

The Smart Appliance Module is engineered by Card Access using their high-performance wireless networking design capabilities combined with Control4 ZigBee® PRO mesh networking. Their unique combination of superior radio design, firmware and Control4® driver capabilities enables the Smart Appliance Module to easily and completely integrate into a Control4 system and enhance functionality of select Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances. All new Sub-Zero built-in refrigerator models and Wolf E-Series wall ovens are manufactured to accommodate the aftermarket installation of the new Smart Appliance Module.  Existing models must be outfitted with the Module after receiving an update from a Sub-Zero and Wolf factory-certified service technician. The Smart Appliance App is downloadable for free to any Control4 system to allow homeowners to manage energy, create actionable alerts, and review appliance diagnostics.

Some of the functions the new Control4 Smart Appliance App can manage:

• Increase ice production prior to entertaining
• Save energy in vacation mode
• Text alerts when oven pre-heats or water filters expire
• Sabbath mode for religious observances
• Provide diagnostic efficiency and enhanced service support for connected appliances
• Provide Error Codes and alerts if any maintenance is needed, which the customer can then provide directly to Sub-Zero Wolf factory certified service.
• Send/receive general service requests which results in faster diagnosis and response time

While currently only available with specific Sub Zero and Wolf models, the Smart Appliance App and Smart Appliance Module for Control4® systems are now available through the Control4 dealer network.

Our tablets and smartphones can’t quite fry an egg or empty the dishwasher yet, but re-filling the ice tray and increasing energy savings are great steps towards a more tech-savvy kitchen of the future.

Each year on Earth Day thousands of us take the time to stop what we are doing and celebrate the planet.  For many, Earth Day also acts as a reminder that we can all take strides toward living a greener, more sustainable lifetsyle. Not only is it easy to make small eco-friendly changes, but the benefits to our planent and wallets can be quite astounding – and embracing intelligent technology is just one of many ways homeowners are helping to reduce both their carbon footprint and monthly utility bills.

Control4 Energy Control & Monitoring Solutions

Control4, a leading innovator in residential and light commercial automation systems, is teaming with more than 280 Magnolia at Best Buy store locations across the U.S. to celebrate Energy Management Month through home automation and control.

During the month of April, customers at these select Magnolia at Best Buy stores will receive a $50 discount with the purchase of any Control4® Controller and a thermostat or lighting device with installation. Designed as the entry way to home automation, the new Control4 HC-250 Controller (available for in-store demos April 22 at select store locations) is ideal for universal remote replacements, home theaters or as a way to deliver on-screen control to any television in the home.

Getting started on the path to a connected home has never been more affordable and saving energy has never been easier. Control4® home control solutions provide a variety of easy, automated ways to help people manage their energy usage, while enjoying the most from their smart homes. And with just days until Earth Day, here are a few inspired ways for consumers to save energy using Control4.

1. Goodbye Button. Touch a single button when leaving the house and the lights automatically turn off, the temperature is set back, and other electronic devices can be powered off.
2. Motion Sensors. The kids work hard to turn all those lights on; motion sensors make sure they go off when a room is vacant for more than five minutes.
3. Limit Light Output. Set lights to 75 percent maximum light output and save on average about 20 percent of the household’s annual energy usage.
4. Extend Light Bulb Life. Setting light output also increases the life of light bulbs by about four times.
5. Smart Thermostats. With heating and cooling accounting for 56 percent of a household’s energy consumption, advanced climate control is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to save energy in a home.
6. Pre-programmed Events. Set it and forget it. Set outdoor lights to go on and off automatically based on time of day and set heating and cooling to automatically adjust for the seasons.
7. Motorized Shades. Automating window treatments to block that afternoon sun reduces cooling bills and increases comfort.
8. Energy Monitoring. With Control4, the MyEragy app and a compatible in-home power sensor, homeowners can save up to 20 percent or more off their monthly electric bills.
9. Energy-efficient Appliances. If you own some of the new “smart” appliances, you can quickly set them to energy-savings mode when you’re heading out of town.
10. Device Energy Management. Energy is wasted on devices that are plugged in but not being used. Use Control4 to shut down electronics that plug into power outlets when they’re not beings actively used.

To find a Magnolia at Best Buy near you, simply select Retail Dealers at www.control4.com/dealers/locator.

With Earth Day right around the corner, many people tend to jump on the eco-bandwagon, going the extra mile to recycle, use less water and turn off unnecessary lights – unfortunately many of these green behaviors don’t last for long. It’s surprising, especially since it’s constantly reinforced that leading a greener lifestyle is not only beneficial to our planet, but can also positively impact your wallet. Integrating eco-elements can help you save on a variety of costs; something business owners have caught onto as well.

The overall goal of any eco-venue is to design and implement environmentally friendly features that help reduce energy, water, waste and more – all in the most cost effective way possible. And the benefits are showing. Owners who have invested in greening their businesses are beginning to see the payoff in a big way.

Subway Franchisees Commit to Sustainability

Over the years Subway has developed many initiatives to help their consumers lead healthier lives; priding themselves on offering lighter, fresher fare. But now the sandwich brand is taking this idea to the next level by focusing on what they can do to promote a more sustainable, healthier planet.

A new, high-tech Subway franchise in Kokomo, Indiana recently received the state’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) commercial project certification thanks in part to a Control4 automation system. As part of Subway’s Eat Fresh, Live Green™ Eco-Restaurant initiative, the restaurant earned accolades for its use of intelligent automation technology for saving energy and for its green-building methodologies.

Huston’s Nate Cushman explains the new technology to the Subway team.

George Estep, franchisee of the newly opened Subway, had experienced the sting of his monthly electricity bills at his other restaurants and knew that building a “green” restaurant was about more than just recycled construction materials and native plantings. “Rising utility expenses were a factor in deciding to make this location a showcase of energy efficiency,” stated Estep.

Estep teamed up with Brandon Pitcher, Chief Sustainability Officer at Indiana-based real estate development firm, Fortune Management, who presented a vision for a store that was high-tech, economically sound and environmentally conscious. Pitcher then commissioned Huston Electric to create a fully automated lighting, HVAC, and occupancy sensor-driven system powered by Control4 that would allow the building to act and react automatically to predetermined commands.

The building was fit with programmable light switches, thermostats, motion sensors, daylight sensors, and an eGauge energy monitoring device that communicates wirelessly with the Control4 system. The processes were then automated so interior and exterior lights would switch on and off based on pre-set opening and closing hours, bathroom and kitchen lights function based upon occupancy, and two exterior light level sensors harvest daylight to automatically conserve power. When the sensors reach a set percentage of light, near 60%, the dining room lights on the side room will shut off, thereby “harvesting” the natural light coming into the dining area. Thermostats were also programmed to rise or drop automatically based on business hours alongside an in-ceiling ERV air recovery unit also controlled through a Control4 switch. A monitor in the lobby displays the Control4 navigator with the Eragy App in real time, acting both as an education and informational display tool.

Measuring Energy Savings

In order to measure the project goal of a return on investment within 36 months, Huston turned to Eragy, a leading provider of smart energy software applications and services, to monitor the building’s overall power usage. The Eragy system monitors electrical loads throughout the restaurant so that energy usage can be tracked and accessed remotely, allowing the restaurant staff to quickly understand projected monthly energy costs even before they get their bill, and make prior adjustments as needed.

Being able to monitor and record the shops’ energy savings allows Estep to track just how much money he is saving on his monthly electric bill. The energy savings alone is projected, at its current rate, to pay for the system in just over 2 1/2 years – sooner than their original goal. At that point, the energy savings becomes additional profit to the business’ bottom line.

Subway displays its energy usage on a large monitor for customers to enjoy.

“Control4 and Eragy allowed us to combine high tech with a positive environmental impact,” stated Huston’s Nate Cushman. “By organizing the different systems to work together, we’ve created effortless control with environmental consciousness that allows this Subway location to monetize their energy savings.”

The store displays the energy usage on a large monitor for customers to enjoy and discuss. “We invested in an intelligent system because it made solid economic sense,” said Pitcher. “We went public with Eragy’s Watts On Now! app to expose customers and staff to the real world energy usage it takes to make a Subway operate. We want our store to provide creative and interactive experiences to our customers so they gain an understanding about economic and environmental issues.”

“Eco-restaurants reflect our commitment to social responsibility and sustainability,” said Marketing Director Elizabeth Stewart, who heads the Subway brand’s corporate social responsibility efforts. “We have pledged to make our restaurants and operations more environmentally responsible and it’s exciting when a franchisee takes this level of effort with their restaurant. They set a great example of just what can be done.”

With today’s affordable technology solutions, even small restaurants and businesses can deliver a high-tech experience to customers, while also enjoying energy savings.