Hi,
We are in the process of planning our house and had an appointment with a construction company. The salesperson offered us a smart home system from the company GIRA. He was quite enthusiastic about the technology, especially about the fact that the price has dropped so significantly over the years. It is supposed to cost around 3,000 Euros (about $3,300). When I asked what this system can really do that is impressive, I didn’t get a convincing answer. Remote control? But for what purpose? Some functions can already be programmed by timer without such a system.
What do you think about smart home systems like this? Are they actually interesting? Have I overlooked something or not considered something useful? I really don’t know anyone who has such a system or anyone who misses having one... Is that justified or not? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for your input.
We are in the process of planning our house and had an appointment with a construction company. The salesperson offered us a smart home system from the company GIRA. He was quite enthusiastic about the technology, especially about the fact that the price has dropped so significantly over the years. It is supposed to cost around 3,000 Euros (about $3,300). When I asked what this system can really do that is impressive, I didn’t get a convincing answer. Remote control? But for what purpose? Some functions can already be programmed by timer without such a system.
What do you think about smart home systems like this? Are they actually interesting? Have I overlooked something or not considered something useful? I really don’t know anyone who has such a system or anyone who misses having one... Is that justified or not? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for your input.
C
Che.guevara4 May 2016 21:58There is no established standard; whatever you do, it will turn out to be a mistake.
Having enough empty conduit pipes is sufficient to be prepared for the future!
Having enough empty conduit pipes is sufficient to be prepared for the future!
These systems are for gadget enthusiasts who want to control every little function. Modern devices usually have some kind of web connectivity, allowing access via smartphone or tablet. You just need to decide which functions you REALLY want to control remotely. Technically, you can control almost everything, but most of it is unnecessary.
- Controlling underfloor heating remotely is pointless because it is set once to a fixed temperature and remains at that setting 365 days a year.
- Electric shutters using radio control are available as dedicated systems (e.g., Warema), which operate simply via radio signals.
- Lighting control is possible, but you can also just install a switch where you want to turn the light on or off later.
- Ventilation system control: modern units usually already offer web-based control. Otherwise, it’s mostly a gimmick since ventilation generally runs continuously (though you could make it more complex if you want).
Now for the really interesting part:
- Front door with video doorbell and all the features: when someone rings your doorbell, you get a call on your phone. You can answer and talk to the visitor. You can also unlock the door remotely via your phone so the visitor (e.g., a delivery person) can enter.
Problem: the front door cannot be closed remotely. Such systems typically cost well over 3000€.
You can install many cool features, which also work individually. As mentioned, most systems don’t really integrate (except maybe KNX). For many convenience features, there are also very good retrofit systems available. Forcing something in that you don’t want doesn’t make much sense.
An idea for someone with too much money: have pipes for air conditioning lines pre-installed during construction.
- Controlling underfloor heating remotely is pointless because it is set once to a fixed temperature and remains at that setting 365 days a year.
- Electric shutters using radio control are available as dedicated systems (e.g., Warema), which operate simply via radio signals.
- Lighting control is possible, but you can also just install a switch where you want to turn the light on or off later.
- Ventilation system control: modern units usually already offer web-based control. Otherwise, it’s mostly a gimmick since ventilation generally runs continuously (though you could make it more complex if you want).
Now for the really interesting part:
- Front door with video doorbell and all the features: when someone rings your doorbell, you get a call on your phone. You can answer and talk to the visitor. You can also unlock the door remotely via your phone so the visitor (e.g., a delivery person) can enter.
Problem: the front door cannot be closed remotely. Such systems typically cost well over 3000€.
You can install many cool features, which also work individually. As mentioned, most systems don’t really integrate (except maybe KNX). For many convenience features, there are also very good retrofit systems available. Forcing something in that you don’t want doesn’t make much sense.
An idea for someone with too much money: have pipes for air conditioning lines pre-installed during construction.
@Payday, I have to disagree a bit here. Of course, many things can be dismissed as just gimmicks. However, one thing is certain: any retrofit will end up using a wireless system, which will never be as stable as a wired system. In addition, the actuators then have to be installed in a decentralized manner, which again leads to higher costs, because you can no longer use central actuators but instead need, for example, an individual actuator for each roller shutter. That said, you won’t get much for 3,000 € (about 3,300 USD), and I agree with Payday on that.
I see it a bit differently. I believe that anyone building today without KNX is making a huge mistake. An installation with functionality comparable to standard electrical wiring can be realized with additional costs around 2,000 euros.
I am currently implementing this in my own build and have to say it was the best decision regarding the electrical system...
In most rooms, I have occupancy sensors, and you quickly get used to not needing a light switch anymore (although I do have switches, I hardly use them). Since I don’t yet live in my house (moving in is planned for Christmas) and am only there for 'work,' I notice at home when, for example, I go from the bedroom to the bathroom—turning the light on and off three times—that it’s really convenient. When moving from room to room, the lights just come on automatically.
There are also other features that add a certain level of comfort. For example, my blinds automatically lower when it gets dark and raise when it becomes light again. When I’m on the terrace (door contact), the blind stays up until I lock the door, then it closes. If the blinds are down and I open a window, the blind moves up 10% so that gaps are open for ventilation.
Other fun features are possible if the blinds are already electric. For instance, at the windows where I usually put up Christmas decorations, I installed sockets inside the flush-mounted boxes where the blinds are connected. Since the sub-distribution already has a 5-core cable going to the blind, I use the spare 5th core for this socket. When the blind closes, this socket is also switched off, so you can plug in decorations that turn off automatically.
I only use actuators with power measurement (the extra cost is minimal). This allows you to easily implement "safety detection," for example, in the utility room to detect if the iron is off, or at the stove to know if it has been turned off, etc. This functionality is already included in the "2,000 euro" range. KNX only gets expensive when you start using visualization, such as control panels on the wall, special switches that respond to voice commands, or other luxury functions.
The advantage of choosing KNX from the beginning is that it can be upgraded at any time. I can replace an 80-euro switch with an 800-euro one and then talk to the house.
That’s why I would do it again anytime. The important thing, as with all things, is to get informed properly beforehand. This is something most home builders don’t plan for. It takes a lot of preparation time if you don’t want to be overcharged afterward (after signing contracts). I think this applies to every trade. Just thinking about how much time I invested in researching electrical work, heating and screed, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, central vacuum systems, and so on... almost as much time went into preparation as into the actual work.
I am currently implementing this in my own build and have to say it was the best decision regarding the electrical system...
In most rooms, I have occupancy sensors, and you quickly get used to not needing a light switch anymore (although I do have switches, I hardly use them). Since I don’t yet live in my house (moving in is planned for Christmas) and am only there for 'work,' I notice at home when, for example, I go from the bedroom to the bathroom—turning the light on and off three times—that it’s really convenient. When moving from room to room, the lights just come on automatically.
There are also other features that add a certain level of comfort. For example, my blinds automatically lower when it gets dark and raise when it becomes light again. When I’m on the terrace (door contact), the blind stays up until I lock the door, then it closes. If the blinds are down and I open a window, the blind moves up 10% so that gaps are open for ventilation.
Other fun features are possible if the blinds are already electric. For instance, at the windows where I usually put up Christmas decorations, I installed sockets inside the flush-mounted boxes where the blinds are connected. Since the sub-distribution already has a 5-core cable going to the blind, I use the spare 5th core for this socket. When the blind closes, this socket is also switched off, so you can plug in decorations that turn off automatically.
I only use actuators with power measurement (the extra cost is minimal). This allows you to easily implement "safety detection," for example, in the utility room to detect if the iron is off, or at the stove to know if it has been turned off, etc. This functionality is already included in the "2,000 euro" range. KNX only gets expensive when you start using visualization, such as control panels on the wall, special switches that respond to voice commands, or other luxury functions.
The advantage of choosing KNX from the beginning is that it can be upgraded at any time. I can replace an 80-euro switch with an 800-euro one and then talk to the house.
That’s why I would do it again anytime. The important thing, as with all things, is to get informed properly beforehand. This is something most home builders don’t plan for. It takes a lot of preparation time if you don’t want to be overcharged afterward (after signing contracts). I think this applies to every trade. Just thinking about how much time I invested in researching electrical work, heating and screed, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, central vacuum systems, and so on... almost as much time went into preparation as into the actual work.