This document describes an automated building and heating management system that uses a Raspberry Pi and Tinkerforge sensors and actuators to control heating based on scheduled events, indoor and outdoor temperatures, and power usage monitoring. The system includes a web-based interface for event management and monitoring temperatures, power usage, and alerts. It provides flexible, low-cost automation of heating, lighting, access control, and more for buildings with event-based occupancy.

1. © 2015 Matthias Kuhs, Ireland
Building Control Project
AUTOMATED BUILDING AND HEATING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

2. The Problem(s)
 Event-based building occupation
 No 24/7 heating!
 Correct room temperature needed on event start
 Outdoor and current room temperature needs to be factored in
 Remote control and monitoring needed; alerts via email or SMS
 Power usage monitoring and alerts
 Optional: access control or intrusion alerts
 Optional: lighting automation
 Optional: temperature zones for different events
 Mandatory: Low cost, low overhead

3. The Solution
 Raspberry Pi based solution (low power usage)
 Tinkerforge sensors and actuators (no hardware tinkering necessary)
 Python code base (runs also on PC)
 Web-based event management (MySQL database)
 Off-line modus (runs even with Internet connection down)
 Flexible and extendable (e.g. for oil tank monitoring)
 RESTful API between Frontend (WWW) and backend.

4. Hard- and Software
TECHNICAL DETAILS

5. Hardware
 Raspberry Pi (2 or B+) with RaspBian
with Hamachi VPN, Nagios, SSMTP, LogWatch, LAMP
 Alternatively: Windows (7/10) PC with Python 3.4
 USB-attached Tinkerforge modules
Temp sensors, relay switches, motion detectors
 Alternatively: GPIO-attached sensors and actuators
 Youless energy monitor
 LAN with Internet connection

7. Software, local
Backend:
LAMP/WAMP system with Python modules:
 Collecting sensor data
 Controlling actuators
 Synchronizing with on-line event DB
 Event management
 Shell-scripts as Cron-Jobs for continuity
Local backup database for
 Events
 Sensor data
 Logging

8. Software, web-based
API:
Provides interfaces for:
 Events
 Sensor data
 Logging
Frontend:
jQuery-based HTML page with
 Current values/status display
 Graphs for temperatures and power usage
 Event monitoring and management

10. Frontend GUI explained
Features:
Current values
Recent ‘actions’
Room temp. graph
Power usage graph
Events list
Highlights / Observations:
Today’s event
Calculated switch-on time
Regular power users (here: fridge)