ᐅ Best Smart Home Upgrade for New Construction

Sahitaz schrieb:

Do controls really vary?

Depending on the system you choose, everything can range from fully manual to fully automatic.

Sahitaz schrieb:

But don't mechanical ventilation systems with heat recovery usually have just 3-4 settings with basically constant airflow rates?

The person paying decides the type of control. Most homeowners don’t want to deal with this or pay more for additional options, so they usually end up with just a simple step selector switch.

Sahitaz schrieb:

But is that actually done?

There is no one-size-fits-all solution. You can measure one or several parameters per room, per floor, or even only inside the system. How the control algorithms then work is up to you, provided the system supports it.

Have you integrated your main entrance door into your KNX system?

Have you installed a video intercom system connected to your KNX setup?
Is the door lock also linked to the KNX system?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a smart door lock?

How is a smart door lock typically powered – does it run on batteries?
How secure is it? How secure would a fingerprint scanner be? (On smartphones, fingerprint scanners are actually quite insecure.)

Pacc666 schrieb:

Have you made your main entrance door smart with your KNX system?

Have you installed a video intercom system connected to your KNX?
Is your door lock integrated with the KNX as well?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a smart door lock?

How would you set up a smart door lock? Does it run on batteries?
How secure is it? How secure would a fingerprint scanner be? (Actually quite insecure on phones)

KNX and door locks are initially unrelated. You can connect them, but some prefer not to for security reasons. Although I don’t see any disadvantage if they are on a separate external line.

At least this is what I have implemented at home:

• I connected the two relays of the fingerprint reader’s controller to KNX binary inputs. This way, the KNX system knows when someone enters the house and, for example, can disarm the alarm system (probably not compliant with VDE standards). After moving in, you will probably come up with more ways to utilize this data.
• I initially mapped the push-button inputs of the controller to switching actuators. Whether I will actually use this feature is still uncertain. This also relates to the security concerns mentioned above.

In a new build, you would typically use a motorized lock with a fingerprint/RFID reader. This does not run on batteries, and you avoid having an ugly box attached to the lock like with retrofit solutions.

The fingerprint scanner from Ekey at least has living finger detection. Even if other solutions don’t—who would bother to clone your fingerprint like James Bond instead of just breaking a window? (Warning: may contain exaggeration)

A video intercom system has nothing to do with KNX, except for the button that opens the door via the switching actuator. The advantage: you don’t need a key and don’t have to go to the door to open it. What other advantage should there be?

A door lock is not smart either; it is just connected to a switching actuator! I have an ekey fingerprint scanner connected to the intercom system, which opens the door lock via KNX. There are also contacts for monitoring the locking status. The building automation runs through the UPS in the rack, so it should be able to handle a power outage of at least one hour. Otherwise, the door still has a regular lock, and the key is kept with my in-laws 🙂

Pacc666 schrieb:

Have you made your front door smart with your KNX system?

Have you installed a video intercom system connected to your KNX setup?
Is the door lock also integrated with the KNX system?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a smart door lock?

How is a smart door lock powered – does it run on batteries?
How secure is it? How secure would a fingerprint scanner be? (Actually quite insecure on phones)

What is a smart front door?
No
No
What is a smart door lock?
Our motorized lock is connected to the house electricity. Why would it need a battery?
I find fingerprint scanners impractical and seemingly insecure.

Pacc666 schrieb:

Have you made your front door smart with your KNX system?

Yes, the door should report whether it is open, closed, or locked.

Pacc666 schrieb:

Have you installed a video intercom system with your KNX?

If you need it, it’s no problem. However, it is often an expensive addition regardless of whether it is integrated with KNX or not. Usually, proprietary systems and communication buses from the manufacturers are used here, often at premium prices. These can then sometimes be connected to KNX via SIP.

Pacc666 schrieb:

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a smart door lock?

What does "smart" mean to you regarding a door lock? There are quite a few variations and interpretations of that term. In general, the advantages are also the disadvantages. For example, if you can unlock it remotely, you need to ensure that no one else can do the same, which can be quite challenging.

Pacc666 schrieb:

How would a smart door lock work? Does it run on batteries?

You should ask the manufacturer of the lock you prefer how they have implemented this.

Pacc666 schrieb:

How secure is it? How secure would a fingerprint scanner be? (actually, it’s quite insecure on mobile phones)

The security level depends on how comfortable you feel with it. Simply put, it’s not necessarily more secure than a physical key. The strengths and weaknesses become clear through testing. You can often find these test results online.