Future in Home Digital

the future in HOME digital

ARE YOU A BUILDER OR DEVELOPER? An increasing demand on ever decreasing resources, a range of government regulations to increase the "sustainability" of buildings.

All new homes, must now be designed to allow the occupants to use less water, be energy efficient and reduce greenhouse gas emissions however still facilitate the latest and greatest in future technologies for consumers – it’s all about balance.

2 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

NEW FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES THINK GREEN - BUILDINGS, TECHNOLOGIES, DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION The Australian Federal Government has recently introduced significant funding to assist in the development of a sustainable property industry.

Initiatives driven through the Green Building Council of Australia will promote green building programs, technologies, design practices and operations. Green building practices will be integrated into mainstream design, construction and operation of buildings for the long term.

Developers and builders looking for a return on investment (ROI) in projects earmarked to achieve and maintain a Green Star or NABERS rating should consider how network enabled technology can assist in the management and measurement of energy.

The effective gathering of energy data as well as the implementation of control and display systems will ensure compliance with accounting standards as well as achieving an acceptable ROI through both cost reductions and increased value to those looking to invest in Green Star or NABERS rated developments.

Hills Industries has a range of technology solutions from network infrastructure that can support smart metering for power, water and gas through to the systems that can both display and control appliance performance. Technology that empowers residents will play a key role in the ongoing energy management of a Green Star rated building.

Hills also offer Water, Solar and Environmental management systems that assist designers to meet specific criteria for energy and water efficiency, indoor environment quality and resource conservation. Visit www.gbca.org.au

recycled paper

eco friendly

HILLS RESIDENTIAL // 3

HILLS INDUSTRIES have been at the forefront of innovation in the home since 1956. The original Hills hoist, arguably Australia’s first solar dryer, is just one example of the commitment of Hills Industries to a sustainable residential environment. Today, Hills Industries is a $1.2bn ASX listed public company with operations in Home & Hardware, Building & Industrial, Electronic Security & Entertainment.

4 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU OWNED WAS CONNECTED TO BROADBAND? A few years ago the question would have seemed a little futuristic. Just look around the room today, you will see how close we have come to living in a connected world. Internet enabled devices may include your mobile phone, desk phone handset, home entertainment system, computers & games console. We chat across the world using email, messaging and video services at minimal cost. The internet is rapidly becoming the primary source for accessing music, video entertainment and the interactive nature of the web is changing the way we communicate and entertain ourselves. Parents and grandparents are even getting broadband. It won’t be long before most other appliances you own will also be connected to the internet.

If everything you owned was connected to the internet would it be a better world? Hills Industries thinks that a sustainable future can only really be achieved when all appliances are working to minimise the impact on the environment while meeting the ever-growing demands of modern life.

HILLS RESIDENTIAL // 5

Your master-planned community can be customised to meet your digital lifestyle needs.

MASTER PLAN An example of a master-planned community

Apartments

Commercial Retail

Business

Residential

Lifestyle Villages

Health Care Resort The internet may come to your home in any number of ways, which may be wired, wireless or a combination of both. Many homes in master plan new housing estate are connected with a high-speed fibre optic cable which delivers ultra high speed internet and a range of services that were not previously possible.

6 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

TECHNOLOGY, SUSTAINABILITY AND THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET Sustainable development has become a driving force as we work towards an energy efficient future. New technologies are enabling consumers to modify their behavior so that they use less power, water and gas and save money as well. Network technology is the key to changing consumer behavior.

Network Technology enables sustainability: • "Smart Meters" log power, water and gas consumption • Data for the whole development can be acquired for reporting • Display systems inform consumers about their energy use • Control systems enable consumers to switch off appliances • Lighting can be switched off automatically • Networks will enable utilities to cycle power at peak times Network Technology delivers lifestyle benifits: – • High Definition digital television with surround sound • High Definition Pay Television with surround sound • Ultra-High Speed Broadband Ultra-high speed broadband can deliver services: – • IP TV (Television over broadband) • Real-time internet video gaming • VOIP telephony • Security monitoring over broadband • Video-on-demand • Remote access to CCTV camera surveillance • Remote home control

HILLS RESIDENTIAL // 7

SNAPSHOT OF HOW BROADBAND IS ENHANCING OUR LIFESTYLE The internet may come to your home in any number of ways, which may be wired, wireless or a combination of both. Many homes in new housing estate are connected with a high-speed fibre optic cable which delivers ultra high speed internet and a range of services that were not previously possible.

TELEVISION, ENTERTAINMENT AND GAMING. The internet is revolutionising television and entertainment. In many connected communities television antenna’s and satellite dishes have become a thing of the past as the home is connected to a central television feed. New IPTV services have a high level of interactivity allowing the viewer to become more deeply involved with the content. IPTV services offer high speed internet gaming applications typically require a wired high speed connection and Hills offer the Hills Home Hub and Hills Home Music systems as an ideal way of distributing these services to a number of locations in your home.

SECURITY AND SURVEILLANCE. Many people enjoy the additional security of a monitored security alarm. Alarm panels are typically connected to traditional telephone lines to report alarm and status information to a security company control room. Security Alarms are now available with an internet connection, which has eliminated the dial-up charges incurred by security panels that use a standard telephone dialler. Hills Industries offer broadband enabled security alarm systems for residential and commercial applications. In the residential market an Australian first, the new innovative Hills VoiceNav talks the consumer through each command and offers the consumer a range never thought possible.

CCTV security cameras may now be connected to broadband allowing a resident to monitor their home across the internet. Control products available allow residents to control the security system, lighting and appliances in real time via the internet. Hills Industries, through our Pacific Communications and Direct Alarm Supplies divisions offer a range of IP security cameras and control systems to enable residents to be connected to their home anytime, anywhere.

8 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

HILLS ASSISTING DEVELOPERS & BUILDERS BUILD SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES. Climate change and maintaining a small carbon footprint is on the forefront of the mind of government, developers and residents. Managing the energy consumption of the home on a daily basis is critical to maintaining the Green Star energy rating of a building on an ongoing basis. The areas of critical interest are Electricity for hot water, lighting, heating, ventilation and airconditioning as well as appliances. Water consumption and Gas consumption are all areas that need to be monitored and managed to optimise our use of energy.

HILLS RESIDENTIAL // 9

The internet enables the connection of “smart meters� that monitor the consumption of power, water and gas in the home. Internet enabled display devices allow residents to understand their usage and take the appropriate action to reduce consumption. At the community level, data can be gathered so that the usage of the community as a whole can be managed.

Hills Industries is a major manufacturer and distributor of urban rainwater tanks and solar hot water systems. Hills technology partners offer smart metering solutions and a range of products to display and control lighting and appliances in the home enabling residents to minimise their energy consumption. These products include Crestron GreenLight and Crestron Control solutions.

Video Intercom. In the past, video intercom systems have required special cables. Hills industries now offer Hills IP video intercom that can be connected to a standard computer network in the home.

10 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

SO WHAT IS AROUND THE CORNER You may not yet be able to connect your Hills Hoist or your Hills Ducted Vacuum or VoiceNav to the internet. Hills products make your home environment healthy and energy efficient, reducing cost as well as your carbon footprint!

Hills Industries is bringing a connected sustainable future to homes across Australia and New Zealand, ensuring that residents have the highest quality in sound, vision and entertainment, state of the art communications services, a healthy secure environment with the lowest possible impact on the environment. Contact your Hills Industries representative today and discover a wonderful new connected sustainable word.

11 // HILLS RESIDENTIAL

WHERE TO FROM HERE...

Your vision, your future, helping build better communities.

Visit www.hills.com.au or contact your nearest branch on 1800 244 557 or email residentialenquiriesit@hills.com.au

printed on