Hi,
I’m still undecided about installing home automation in our planned new build.
My requirements are as follows:
- Control of roller shutters or blinds (possibly window contacts to detect open windows)
- Control of heating / air source heat pump or solar system
- Control of a video intercom system via a tablet
Of course, I have looked into KNX and the material costs alone would be around 6000€ (approximately 6,350 USD). As an alternative, Loxone is mentioned increasingly often, although the proprietary format is a bit off-putting.
My requirements could also be met with a manufacturer-specific system.
Do you have any recommendations for or against home automation (in my case)?
Best regards
Acd85
I’m still undecided about installing home automation in our planned new build.
My requirements are as follows:
- Control of roller shutters or blinds (possibly window contacts to detect open windows)
- Control of heating / air source heat pump or solar system
- Control of a video intercom system via a tablet
Of course, I have looked into KNX and the material costs alone would be around 6000€ (approximately 6,350 USD). As an alternative, Loxone is mentioned increasingly often, although the proprietary format is a bit off-putting.
My requirements could also be met with a manufacturer-specific system.
Do you have any recommendations for or against home automation (in my case)?
Best regards
Acd85
I am not fundamentally against KNX; I would say that if you automate, you should do it properly and then use KNX. For me to see real added value beyond just playing around, there would need to be many sensors like presence detectors everywhere and more actuators. Ideally, this would include (good) speakers in every room, so that, for example, the music you’re listening to follows you around. Household appliances should at least be partially integrable. However, building such a system would certainly involve significant additional costs, much more than just $10,000. Most of what I read here doesn’t actually require automation. By the way, alarm systems from reputable manufacturers can do more than just make a loud noise (since that argument was mentioned). Otherwise, I still maintain that time saved with automation is minimal; you can gain some comfort—and with a lot of investment, even more comfort—although there are solutions for almost everything even without automation.
andimann schrieb:
What practical, real-world things can I actually do with a bus system?Put another way, what do you want to achieve? Because anything you can imagine is possible...
andimann schrieb:
So: what do you do at home with your KNX? What exactly can it do? I’d also appreciate a link where genuinely useful use cases are described. Honestly, I couldn’t find anything quickly.I don’t really “do” anything with it; the house practically runs itself. You have to come up with the use cases yourself since everyone has different needs and requirements. I already described the use case with the weather station.
Sure, the roller shutters can control sun protection independently from other systems, but without integration, the shutters just go up and down—and for sun protection, you need information like the sun’s position, intensity, or the indoor temperature.
For roof window blinds, you need a different system because it’s a different manufacturer, and the awning is from a third one, so that requires a third system.
As I said, you end up with a whole zoo of independent systems: the roller shutter goes down, but the awning is still open… sure, everything sort of works, but only sort of…
@Saruss
Everything you imagine is possible, but everyone’s wishes are different. For example, I personally see no added value in multiroom systems, like speakers in each room—that, in my opinion, is an unnecessary expense and just a gimmick for beginners… but yes, it is possible.
By the way, alarm systems have no place in KNX, because that would void the VdS certification… at most, they can forward information to the occupants.
S
Sebastian797 Apr 2016 15:00Mycraft schrieb:
For roof window blinds, you need a different system since it’s a different manufacturer, and the awning is from a third one, so that requires a third system.I know what you mean, but just a little off-topic: I have Velux roof windows and really got frustrated with their control system—they want a lot of money for something that’s a total mess (interface managed by interface controlled by another interface).
A friend built me something, and now these parts are nicely controlled through my Gira system.
No, there are also systems like WAGO I/O, LCN, Beckhoff, Modbus, Crestron, DMX, and many more...
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages... KNX is not the ultimate solution and it cannot do everything, but it follows different goals. The focus here is not on having "the best system," but on maximizing flexibility, integration, and, of course, interchangeability.
KNX allows connecting the systems I mentioned above and others. For example, you can control a DMX device with an EnOcean switch or turn off the heating with a DALI presence detector, all on the KNX level...
Without KNX, you are often limited to manufacturer-specific solutions, which may excel in one area but perform poorly in others...
With KNX, you can draw from the full range and pick the best parts...
Each has its own advantages and disadvantages... KNX is not the ultimate solution and it cannot do everything, but it follows different goals. The focus here is not on having "the best system," but on maximizing flexibility, integration, and, of course, interchangeability.
KNX allows connecting the systems I mentioned above and others. For example, you can control a DMX device with an EnOcean switch or turn off the heating with a DALI presence detector, all on the KNX level...
Without KNX, you are often limited to manufacturer-specific solutions, which may excel in one area but perform poorly in others...
With KNX, you can draw from the full range and pick the best parts...