Home automation in C#? [closed]

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I want to develop a small C# application to control various components of a central heating.

First, I would like to be able to retrieve values from a temperature sensor. I must not be the first C# developer looking to get this kind of stuff. I would then try to control thermostatic valves.

Microsoft or others vendors delivers GUI libraries, Mathematics libraries, database access libraries, ... I'm just looking for a Home Automation Library or something similar. Could you redirect me to the hardware components compatible or information sites on the subject.

Thank you,

Smudge answered 22/9, 2011 at 14:40 Comment(6)

Closed and 8 users already added this question to their favorites? – Shattuck 22/9, 2011 at 15:10

The problem with home automation is that some people think that talking about this subject on a developer forum is off topic. With this attitude you never get information because (believe me) talking about programmation on a Home Automation forum is useless. – Smudge 22/9, 2011 at 16:24

I don't really agree on the close even if it's not a specific programming question it's still more related to what to choose as a programmer.. and you did specify C# – Church 22/9, 2011 at 16:46

Microsoft or others vendors delivers GUI libraries, Mathematics libraries, database access libraries, ... I'm just looking for a Home Automation Library or something similar (because I know there is still no Home Automation Libraries for C#) – Smudge 22/9, 2011 at 16:52

I agree with, seems like it is on topic. The question is pretty well defined and he's asking for specific C# libraries and implementation. @Dran, I guess you could edit your question to ask about the libraries. – Asymmetric 22/9, 2011 at 18:42

@StefanE, I hope someone adds that last reopen vote :) – Shattuck 22/9, 2011 at 19:25

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I'm playing around with a .NET development board with great fun for home automation. They come in all price ranges(some very simple and there are the ones with screens, wifi and so on) and support a compact .net framework and have a lot of sensors and relays to add on to it!

NetDuino

My own project at home is that I just had a on/off switch for my warm water. I do control it with my netduino board by a fixed times but I can also switch it on from a web browser. Next version is for it to not switch on if there have been no movement in my apartment for a while so if I go off for holiday I don't have to switch it off. Also bought an servo to open my window if temp go over a certain degree :).. Next will be to have some kind recognition if a lady enters to start the soft music and the disco ball spinning!

Church answered 22/9, 2011 at 14:44 Comment(2)

Here is the home site: netduino.com – Marquis 22/9, 2011 at 14:52

Agree, better link and I updated my post.. – Church 22/9, 2011 at 14:57

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Microsoft released a microcontroller that is programmable in .NET about a month ago.

It is called Gadgeteer

Mota answered 22/9, 2011 at 14:49 Comment(1)

Gadgeteer is much more oriented toward schools and experiments, than for creating a stand-alone project. However, despite the high price, it should be a quick way to assemble hardware blocks. – Marquis 22/9, 2011 at 14:54

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I'm a little late to the party, but these guys have been doing some interesting work. I downloaded the source and poked around a bit, and have chatted on their site: http://www.opensourceautomation.com/

A lot of out of the box functionality, open source, and active.

Leann answered 20/1, 2012 at 7:53 Comment(0)

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While this is not in C#, you can use an Arduino to do this kind of thing. There is lots of help out there for Arduinos. They can be very powerful. They use a C++ ish language which is similar enough to C# that you could pick it up.

Some sites:

http://diyistheway.blogspot.com/2009/03/thermosmart.html

http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HomePage

Asymmetric answered 22/9, 2011 at 14:45 Comment(3)

Interesting but I'm not lokking for a thermostat. If fact I would like to create a software thermostat. My computer is the thermostat. How do you turn on/off the valves ? – Smudge 22/9, 2011 at 16:45

There are 10 I/O pins for you to program as you please. You could have a different valves on each of those pins (or multiple pins depending on the valve, but there are 10 available). Or you could put another shield on top of that board that has a ton of I/Os for all your many controls. With this ethernet board you can have it hooked up to your network directly. arduino.cc/en/Main/ArduinoBoardEthernet. There are also bluetooth boards, wifi boards, USB only...etc. The options are endless with these things. – Asymmetric 22/9, 2011 at 18:5

Although @StefanE's answer is pretty awesome too. It looks like it is basically an Arduino but you can work with it in C# directly. Pretty cool. – Asymmetric 22/9, 2011 at 18:6

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CRESTRON their whole product line is based of software developed in .net (probably c# but could be vb) and all they do is control systems (hvac, lighting, etc....)

most of the systems they control run on three different types of interfaces: serial (232, terminal), digital (usually over tcp/ip), or analog

you need to find out what kind of interface your hvac system has, then find a way to plug your computer up to it, then program in c# using that protocal

Kolva answered 22/9, 2011 at 14:44 Comment(0)

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Telldus provide interfaces to wireless control and they have c# libraries

Woodcraft answered 23/9, 2011 at 12:17 Comment(0)

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Crestron is in the process of release a new SDK that uses a sandboxed version of C# to control their extensive selection of home automation hardware.

Unfortunately, using their software requires special permission and training.

Sincerity answered 1/8, 2012 at 23:2 Comment(0)

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