Hello,
for our planned new build, I would like to automate as much as my budget allows. A central control system (touchscreen/app) for blinds, underfloor heating, and possibly indoor/outdoor lighting. Since I’m not familiar with this topic, I have two basic questions:
1). What approximate costs should I expect if about 170sqm (1,830 sqft) of living space including bathroom, toilet, hallway, 4 living rooms, and garage are to be automated? Of course, I understand you can’t give me an exact estimate.
2). How should I best approach my planning? Since I assume my budget won’t cover everything at once, I want to at least make all necessary preparations during construction. That way, I can add features later without having to open up walls. Sort of like preparing the roof for solar panels in advance…
Looking forward to your answers
for our planned new build, I would like to automate as much as my budget allows. A central control system (touchscreen/app) for blinds, underfloor heating, and possibly indoor/outdoor lighting. Since I’m not familiar with this topic, I have two basic questions:
1). What approximate costs should I expect if about 170sqm (1,830 sqft) of living space including bathroom, toilet, hallway, 4 living rooms, and garage are to be automated? Of course, I understand you can’t give me an exact estimate.
2). How should I best approach my planning? Since I assume my budget won’t cover everything at once, I want to at least make all necessary preparations during construction. That way, I can add features later without having to open up walls. Sort of like preparing the roof for solar panels in advance…
Looking forward to your answers
S
Sebastian7923 Aug 2016 11:58That is complete nonsense – this constant desire for smartphone control of roller shutters.
Even rapidly changing preferences can now be easily implemented with KNX. It’s simpler than with traditional wiring. If I no longer want the reading lamp plugged in on the right but on the left, I just program the other socket to turn on when it’s too dark to read without it and I sit down in my reading chair.
And if the blinds are already down and I want to go out to the terrace, I simply open the door. The blind goes up, I go outside, and when I come back in and close the door, it goes down again. All this without having to press any switch.
When I turn on the stove in the kitchen, the extractor hood switches on automatically.
And there are many, many other things that just work like this WITHOUT me having to press any buttons.
And if the blinds are already down and I want to go out to the terrace, I simply open the door. The blind goes up, I go outside, and when I come back in and close the door, it goes down again. All this without having to press any switch.
When I turn on the stove in the kitchen, the extractor hood switches on automatically.
And there are many, many other things that just work like this WITHOUT me having to press any buttons.
S
Sebastian7923 Aug 2016 15:27Yes, that’s all fine—but I don’t really see any real added value in the constructed examples.
I also sometimes cook certain dishes without using the range hood. When the roller shutter is down, it takes quite a while for the air to clear out at the top—so I don’t open the door and wait; instead, I just press a switch and then wait.
And moving a reading lamp to another outlet? No, that’s not really convincing…
I’m sure the intention was just to show the possibilities, but I often found MyCrafts’ example to be more sensible—although even there, not all were truly convincing for KNX.
I also sometimes cook certain dishes without using the range hood. When the roller shutter is down, it takes quite a while for the air to clear out at the top—so I don’t open the door and wait; instead, I just press a switch and then wait.
And moving a reading lamp to another outlet? No, that’s not really convincing…
I’m sure the intention was just to show the possibilities, but I often found MyCrafts’ example to be more sensible—although even there, not all were truly convincing for KNX.
It is difficult to explain the added value of such a system; you really have to experience it over a longer period. I have tried to explain it to many people, but the responses were often things like "I don't need it," "It's unnecessary," or "I can manage just fine without it." I can understand that. A few colleagues had a building automation system installed, and their wives initially made similar comments. However, now they do not want to miss these advantages.
That said, it doesn’t have to appeal to everyone, but I believe you need to live with it in daily life to appreciate it. A simple explanation usually does not help.
That said, it doesn’t have to appeal to everyone, but I believe you need to live with it in daily life to appreciate it. A simple explanation usually does not help.
The added value is saving a few seconds each day. Instead of lowering the blinds and turning on the lights, I just click on Scene 3. Instead of raising the blinds and opening the door, I simply open the door. Instead of turning the stove on and later, when needed, turning on the extractor hood, I just turn on the stove (and avoid unnecessary noise for a few minutes).
However, these are only seconds, and only a few times a day. So far, I don’t see any other advantage besides the time saved.
However, these are only seconds, and only a few times a day. So far, I don’t see any other advantage besides the time saved.