From 1 July 2009 until 30 June 2010 Home for Life will be tested. There will be a regular family of two adults and two children moving in and living their lives in the house.
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The Simonsen family moved into Home for Life on 1 July 2009. They are going to live in the house during the next year while the house is measured and tested. The four members of the family are the first to live out the visions of Home for Life and follow the course of the year - with sun, wind, rain, grey and bright days - in their new house. They are excited to see if the improved indoor climate and extra fresh air will improve their everyday life. With three out of four people suffering from allergies, hay fever and asthmatic bronchitis they are keen to see if a better house than the one they normally live in can make them feel healthier and perhaps even give them more energy. |
Measurement of energy use and production
The one part of the test is a measurement programme that will show how much energy is used and produced in the house. In that way conditions, calculations and assumptions can be examined and subsequently validated. The Engineering College of Aarhus is responsible for the measuring.
Test strategies for intelligent operation
The second part deals with the integrated control. Intelligent control of the house is necessary to reduce the energy use and increase the comfort together with using the windows as best as possible as sources of light and ventilation openings. Therefore VELFAC and VELUX has begun cooperation with The Engineering College of Aarhus and the Alexandra Institute with Home for Life as a case. The cooperation has developed into a research project called »Minimum configuration - Home Automation«. The project shall develop and test strategies for the configuration of intelligent operation in the house via user innovation. The purpose of the project is to develop and collect ideas for how cordless operations can be both useful and relevant for users. It shall give the residents a complete entry to operation possibilities of light, heat and energy use as well as consumption data.