This paper discusses how usage patterns and preferences of inhabitants can be learned efficiently to allow smart homes to autonomously achieve energy savings. We propose a frequent sequential pattern mining algorithm suitable for real-life smart home event data. The performance of the proposed algorithm is compared to existing algorithms regarding completeness/correctness of the results, run times as well as memory consumption and elaborates on the shortcomings of the different solutions. We also present a recommender system based on the developed algorithm that provides recommendations to the users to reduce their energy consumption. The recommender system was deployed to a set of test homes. The test participants rated the impact of the recommendations on their comfort. We used this feedback to adjust the system parameters and make it more accurate during a second test phase.

This paper presents a case study of a recommender system that can be used to save energy in smart homes without lowering the comfort of the inhabitants. We present an algorithm that uses consumer behavior data only and uses machine learning to suggest actions for inhabitants to reduce the energy consumption of their homes. The system mines for frequent and periodic patterns in the event data provided by the Digitalstrom home automation system. These patterns are converted into association rules, prioritized and compared with the current behavior of the inhabitants. If the system detects an opportunities to save energy without decreasing the comfort level it sends a recommendation to the residents.