Types of HAN Devices

Although device capabilities vary depending upon the manufacturer and model, Energy Information Displays, also known as In-Home Displays (IHDs), have the following capabilities: 

• receive near real-time energy use data in kilowatt hours (kWh) and kilowatt demand (kW) 
• receive energy pricing and cost information
• receive text messages
• may help you identify high energy use appliances
• aren’t specific to homes and may be used in businesses
• update approximately every 15-30 seconds
• are capable of setting alerts

Examples of these type of devices include programmable communicating thermostats (PCT) and plug load controllers that allow you to program settings. Some devices may also allow you to remotely control your HVAC and some small appliances.

Smart thermostats allow you to program and control your heating and cooling temperatures. Although device capabilities vary according to manufacturer and model, features may include:

• near real-time energy usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) and kilowatt demand (kW)
• energy pricing and cost information
• text alerts from the smart meter
• notifications to automatically reduce energy usage in your home
• control of temperature settings remotely

Smart appliances do everything that standard appliances do and more. Although device capabilities vary according to manufacturer and model, features may include:

• near real-time energy usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) and kilowatt demand (kW)
• energy pricing and cost information
• text alerts from the smart meter

Plug load controllers are plugged into a standard wall outlet and can measure the energy consumption of a connected electrical appliance. Some plug load control devices allow for remote control of the connected appliance.

Gateways communicate with your smart meter to provide energy consumption information via a web portal, or through an in-home display. Multiple devices can be connected to a gateway so it can transmit data retrieved from the meter to each connected device. Although device capabilities vary depending upon the manufacturer and model, gateways provide: 

• energy usage in kilowatt hours (kWh) and kilowatt demand (kW)
• energy pricing and cost information via a web portal, or through an in-home display

Range extenders broaden the scope and strength of a wireless network.  

Energy Information USB (Universal Serial Bus) dongles are similar to flash drives except this ZigBee-enabled device can communicate wirelessly with other devices. Connect a USB dongle to your PC to view energy usage in kilowatt hours (kWh), kilowatt demand (kW) and energy pricing and cost information. Device capabilities vary depending upon the manufacturer and model.