Hello,
I am looking for a comprehensive smart home platform that can integrate devices from different manufacturers.
So far, I have come across the following options:
Home Assistant
OpenHAB
ioBroker
Which of these platforms is the best or most widely used?
It is important to me that it runs stably and allows for creating good automations.
Additionally, there should be a smartphone app available that can be used on the go to control the smart home or at least check the status of devices remotely.
Are all of these programs open source and available for free?
Which of these platforms would you recommend, or should we perhaps consider WiButler or Homee, which also support various wireless standards?
I am looking for a comprehensive smart home platform that can integrate devices from different manufacturers.
So far, I have come across the following options:
Home Assistant
OpenHAB
ioBroker
Which of these platforms is the best or most widely used?
It is important to me that it runs stably and allows for creating good automations.
Additionally, there should be a smartphone app available that can be used on the go to control the smart home or at least check the status of devices remotely.
Are all of these programs open source and available for free?
Which of these platforms would you recommend, or should we perhaps consider WiButler or Homee, which also support various wireless standards?
Mycraft schrieb:
Of course, this is the most expensive option and is somewhat limited because you still have to rely on the outdated conventional wiring. Flush-mounted actuators are inherently more expensive (calculated per channel) than, for example, an 8-channel actuator in the distribution panel. He presented this as the cheapest, low-budget option for Free@Home.
Mycraft schrieb:
Yes, that’s possible because Free@Home is basically KNX; it’s just a simplified version. But the wiring is the same. If you want to do it that way, then just skip the Free@Home actuators altogether—why pay multiple times for the same thing? I thought with KNX all actuators are located in the distribution panel, and you only have sensors and switches in the rooms. The sensors and switches then send commands to the actuators, which control lights and blinds, or am I misunderstanding?
Do you think we can do this with the Free@Home option? That is, have all sensors, switches, and actuators combined in one device or switch?
TaiiTvv schrieb:
He presented it as the cheapest, low-budget option of Free@Home. That might be true for him. However, the fact is that, overall, Free@Home often ends up being more expensive or at least cost-neutral compared to KNX.
TaiiTvv schrieb:
I thought that with KNX, all actuators are installed in the distribution board, and only sensors and switches are placed in the rooms. The sensors and switches then send commands to the actuators, which control lights and roller shutters—or did I misunderstand that? Let’s go back to basics...
Originally, KNX was designed as a decentralized system. You can set everything up centrally if you prefer, or distribute it throughout the building, or even mix both approaches. It depends on what you or your electrician prefers and what is most comfortable, practical, and cost-effective.
Then there was a simplified version of the system, roughly speaking intended for laboratory and testing purposes. ABB/B+J saw a business opportunity there and decided to market it. That’s how Free@Home came into existence.
Basically, it uses similar wiring and structure as KNX but with limited functionality and vendor lock-in—however, it includes an app for configuration 🙂 (if that’s something you need). The pricing is debatable. I find it too expensive and would always prefer KNX.
You can choose based on your budget. Free@Home certainly has its fans as well.
I just looked up the prices out of interest (net prices only):
For example, a single-channel push-button dimmer actuator combo (6212/2.1.): €123.45 per channel
REG 6-channel dimmer actuator (DA/M.6.210.2.11): €443 total = €74 per channel
(KNX dimmer actuator REG MDT AKD 4-channel: €257 total = €64 per channel - just for comparison)
The switching actuators look better price-wise:
2-channel switching actuator combo: €85
8-channel switching actuator per channel: €39
(MDT 24-channel switching actuator: €273 total = €16 per channel)
Depending on how many of each you need, the costs can add up quite a bit.
In my opinion, the most cost-effective option is the combo of motion detector plus switching actuator.
Granted, a push-button is always included with that. But these are usually single or double push-buttons, so you don’t save much compared to a regular electrical installation. Then you have one push-button/actuator controlling two lamps and three push-buttons for blinds in the room. It’s doable, but I wouldn’t want that.
You could ask him how much an additional supply line directly from the distribution board to the outlet box would cost…
But probably the situation is: if the electrician doesn’t want to do something, it will definitely get more expensive :-(
For example, a single-channel push-button dimmer actuator combo (6212/2.1.): €123.45 per channel
REG 6-channel dimmer actuator (DA/M.6.210.2.11): €443 total = €74 per channel
(KNX dimmer actuator REG MDT AKD 4-channel: €257 total = €64 per channel - just for comparison)
The switching actuators look better price-wise:
2-channel switching actuator combo: €85
8-channel switching actuator per channel: €39
(MDT 24-channel switching actuator: €273 total = €16 per channel)
Depending on how many of each you need, the costs can add up quite a bit.
In my opinion, the most cost-effective option is the combo of motion detector plus switching actuator.
Granted, a push-button is always included with that. But these are usually single or double push-buttons, so you don’t save much compared to a regular electrical installation. Then you have one push-button/actuator controlling two lamps and three push-buttons for blinds in the room. It’s doable, but I wouldn’t want that.
You could ask him how much an additional supply line directly from the distribution board to the outlet box would cost…
But probably the situation is: if the electrician doesn’t want to do something, it will definitely get more expensive :-(
Unfortunately, we are tied to this electrician, and I quickly realized that he definitely does not want to do the central installation.
His Free@Home version was to wire everything conventionally and then run the bus cable alongside the regular power cables.
The Free@Home switches are then connected via the bus and operate the actuators behind them, for example, to control the lights or the roller shutters.
Would you go with the Free@Home option like this, or should we simply choose wireless? (Wireless will probably be somewhat cheaper for us.)
His Free@Home version was to wire everything conventionally and then run the bus cable alongside the regular power cables.
The Free@Home switches are then connected via the bus and operate the actuators behind them, for example, to control the lights or the roller shutters.
Would you go with the Free@Home option like this, or should we simply choose wireless? (Wireless will probably be somewhat cheaper for us.)
Sorry if I’m asking a silly question.
So you wouldn’t recommend Free@Home at all?
Especially not the version the electrician wants to install.
All push-button sensors and actuators combined in one unit in the rooms.
The electrician will do the electrical installation conventionally and run a bus cable to each push button.
This way, we can gradually switch over to Free@Home later (that’s what the electrician said).
What I don’t understand is how you can switch to KNX with that kind of wiring?
KNX actually relies on installing push buttons and sensors separately, right?
For example, how am I supposed to retrofit the MDT glass push button with 6 keys?
I can only use push buttons and actuators combined in one device there, or am I misunderstanding something?
So you wouldn’t recommend Free@Home at all?
Especially not the version the electrician wants to install.
All push-button sensors and actuators combined in one unit in the rooms.
The electrician will do the electrical installation conventionally and run a bus cable to each push button.
This way, we can gradually switch over to Free@Home later (that’s what the electrician said).
What I don’t understand is how you can switch to KNX with that kind of wiring?
KNX actually relies on installing push buttons and sensors separately, right?
For example, how am I supposed to retrofit the MDT glass push button with 6 keys?
I can only use push buttons and actuators combined in one device there, or am I misunderstanding something?