Building Automation
Homes are buildings, but building automation refers to the control of commercial buildings.
Large commercial buildings need automation especially for energy management. Some retail stores can pay 100k in energy for one month. It then becomes imperative to be efficient.
If you go to Wal-Mart you will see great automation. The doors open and close to keep the hot or cold air in (depends on weather). The freezers will light up when you walk by and turn off after you leave. They have numerous ways to control the temperature; as well.
There is also a fan that blows near the door to also help retain hot or cold air.
The lighting in many stores will be dimmer or lighter based on overhead lighting that comes in through the roof windows.
You shouldn't forget about the landscaping; either. Building owners can, from a computer, control the amount of moisture that will be applied to each section of the lawn and shrubs. Some controllers are sophisticated and will download weather reports to determine the appropriate setting. That way the system works on autopilot, but it can be overriden, when necessary, by management.
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