Hello everyone,
I am finally planning to build our own house with my family. I don’t want to do without a smart system and have already done some research.
Loxone is basically off the table for me because it mainly relies on its proprietary system and products.
Of course, I have repeatedly come back to KNX (as here in the forum as well). However, I am not entirely happy with it because I don’t want to have to call a programmer every time I want to make a change; I also don’t really want to buy the ETS license. Additionally, I want to integrate and network fingerprint scanners, Sonos, and a heat pump, but I haven’t fully figured out how to do this with KNX.
The house basically has two floors with an open-plan kitchen/living area, entrance hall, utility room, bathrooms, children’s rooms, bedroom, garden, and so on.
The following systems should be connected:
- Lighting (some dimmable)
- External blinds / weather station
- Underfloor heating
- Heat pump
- Music system (Sonos)
- Fingerprint access
- Video intercom
- Some switched power outlets
- Photovoltaic system
Since I am technically fairly knowledgeable, I want to be able to manage, adjust, and optimize my system myself in the end.
Does anyone have good input here? Or already experience with Loxone, KNX, or others?
Thanks and best regards,
Stefan
I am finally planning to build our own house with my family. I don’t want to do without a smart system and have already done some research.
Loxone is basically off the table for me because it mainly relies on its proprietary system and products.
Of course, I have repeatedly come back to KNX (as here in the forum as well). However, I am not entirely happy with it because I don’t want to have to call a programmer every time I want to make a change; I also don’t really want to buy the ETS license. Additionally, I want to integrate and network fingerprint scanners, Sonos, and a heat pump, but I haven’t fully figured out how to do this with KNX.
The house basically has two floors with an open-plan kitchen/living area, entrance hall, utility room, bathrooms, children’s rooms, bedroom, garden, and so on.
The following systems should be connected:
- Lighting (some dimmable)
- External blinds / weather station
- Underfloor heating
- Heat pump
- Music system (Sonos)
- Fingerprint access
- Video intercom
- Some switched power outlets
- Photovoltaic system
Since I am technically fairly knowledgeable, I want to be able to manage, adjust, and optimize my system myself in the end.
Does anyone have good input here? Or already experience with Loxone, KNX, or others?
Thanks and best regards,
Stefan
Notstrom schrieb:
Thank you very much for the detailed advice. I have the appointment tomorrow and I’m confident we will make progress.Good luck. Don’t let the electrician unsettle you if they say something like building permits / planning permissions aren’t necessary, or ask “Do you really want to paint the switches?”
I have a feeling they might not be the best contact regarding KNX planning...
I’m curious to see the outcome.
matte1987 schrieb:
Good luck. Don’t let the electrician unsettle you if they say something like project management isn’t necessary, or “Do you really want to paint over the switches?”
I have the feeling they’re not exactly the best contact when it comes to KNX planning...
I’m curious to see the outcome. So, I think much of what is on paper here is based on the goals we set: “Smart basic installation, expandable,” while ensuring manual operation is possible. We went through everything again today and we are sticking to that. We have now found a price that fits within the planned budget. For now, project management is excluded.
matte1987 schrieb:
OK. Too bad, but it’s your decision.
Are you at least planning to install conduits for future wiring? Yes, we have planned that. It was important for us to establish the basics so that the "infrastructure" is in place to allow easy expansion later on.
The reed contacts in the windows (closure sensors) cost us an additional net 59€ per window; we are still undecided whether to prepare for them now as well.
Notstrom schrieb:
The reed contacts in the window (locking sensor) still cost us 59€ net per window, and we are still undecided whether we should prepare for them now. At least install some on the patio door and other windows that you will use to exit the house. And, of course, also on the main entrance door with a bolt contact. For the other windows, you can run cables and retrofit them later if needed. Or eventually switch to EnOcean.
Good with the PM. This allows for reactive responses if needed.
Regarding the window sensors, I agree with Mycraft. Installing them everywhere is good to provide a certain level of monitoring. For example, I have set up a warning at the switch next to the front door to notify me if anything is still open somewhere.
But I would strongly recommend them at least for the patio doors.
For instance, you can use them to automatically control the outdoor lighting when it gets dark and the door is open.
I have also configured presence detection with the PM in such a way that the kitchen registers presence if the door to the terrace is open.
The PM alone wouldn’t manage this and would then register absence. This way, the ambient lighting and music stay on in the evening when you’re sitting on the terrace.
For the whole topic, I can recommend the book by Stefan Heinle. It’s great for beginners—well explained and informative.
It’s called "Home Automation with KNX, Dali, 1-Wire & Co."
Regarding the window sensors, I agree with Mycraft. Installing them everywhere is good to provide a certain level of monitoring. For example, I have set up a warning at the switch next to the front door to notify me if anything is still open somewhere.
But I would strongly recommend them at least for the patio doors.
For instance, you can use them to automatically control the outdoor lighting when it gets dark and the door is open.
I have also configured presence detection with the PM in such a way that the kitchen registers presence if the door to the terrace is open.
The PM alone wouldn’t manage this and would then register absence. This way, the ambient lighting and music stay on in the evening when you’re sitting on the terrace.
For the whole topic, I can recommend the book by Stefan Heinle. It’s great for beginners—well explained and informative.
It’s called "Home Automation with KNX, Dali, 1-Wire & Co."