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Domosys introduces the Home HVAC System using PowerBus™ Technology and Honeywell’s Enviracom™ Network enabled communicating thermostats

Home HVAC System uses PowerBus to communicate with other home products over power lines.

Domosys announced today that it has developed an Enviracom™ Network-PowerBus Proxy to enable the home HVAC system to network with other products over existing AC power lines. PowerBus provides a power line communication interface for Honeywell's Enviracom-enabled communicating thermostats. Domosys worked in close cooperation with Honeywell's Automation and Control Solutions division to develop the Proxy using their control networking expertise and Honeywell’s global leadership in HVAC control systems.

The Home HVAC System is composed of three main elements:

A Domosys Enviracom Network-PowerBus Proxy. The Proxy provides a PowerBus interface to the Enviracom Environmental Control Communications network. This enables PowerBus products on the AC power lines and Enviracom products on a hard-wired medium to communicate together seamlessly.

A Honeywell-branded Microelectronic Communicating Programmable Thermostat. The thermostat provides a display and keypad user interface to control or monitor an HVAC or Heat Pump system interfaced to the Enviracom network. It also provides temperature sensing information and control to the PowerBus network via the Enviracom Network Proxy.

An Equipment Interface Module (EIM) also by Honeywell. The EIM receives control information from the thermostat via the Enviracom network and controls the HVAC or Heat Pump system accordingly.

The system is easy to install and uses existing HVAC wiring for the Enviracom Network. The Proxy is also plugged into a regular AC power outlet in order to communicate with the rest of the PowerBus network over the power lines.

Patricia Silva, Vice President of Honeywell Home Systems, describes how Honeywell drives toward innovation: "Honeywell is always looking for innovative solutions to help network our products and meet customer needs. Integrating our thermostats into a home network without adding any new wires, makes it easy for the customer."

This technology enables the HVAC system and thermostat to be monitored and controlled by any PowerBus devices within the home, including touch-screen control panels, switches, motion sensors, etc. Since PowerBus is a peer-to-peer technology with distributed intelligence, a simple device such as a motion detector could determine if the house is populated and automatically adjust the heating and cooling set points without the help of a central controller. The thermostat also becomes accessible via the Internet with the use of a PowerBus residential gateway. This enables a variety of scenarios, including residential load shedding, energy efficiency monitoring, and remote access to a home or cottage via a phone or web browser.

"We are excited about working with a global leader like Honeywell to create a PowerBus-enabled HVAC system," said Domosys president Evan Price. "PowerBus has features for control networking that other technology providers have on their dream list. Providing these features at an affordable price guarantees that this is one of many product announcements bearing the PowerBus stamp."

The Enviracom Network-PowerBus Proxy has been certified by Honeywell and meets all Enviracom Network requirements, as well UL and FCC specifications. The Home HVAC System is currently being deployed in utility pilots, and engineering samples are available today. Production quantities are available for November 2002.

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About Domosys

Founded in 1994, Domosys Corporation is a leading provider of Power Line Communication (PLC) technology for the control networking market. Domosys' PLC technology transforms any stand-alone product into a device that can be controlled or monitored either locally or remotely over the Internet. Domosys is designing and manufacturing custom products for Original Equipment Manufacturers as well as marketing and selling generic products to system integrators. Domosys' products and solutions are used in a number of vertical markets such as but not limited to: Energy Management, Street lighting controls, Automatic Meter Reading (AMR), SCADA and Transportation.

Domosys Corporation is a privately held corporation based in Quebec City, Canada. To learn more about Domosys and its products and services, visit the company's Web site at www.domosys.com

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