ᐅ Smart Home / Home Automation – Consultation

Created on: 9 Feb 2016 21:36
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Acd85
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
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ONeill
1 Apr 2016 09:29
At first, I was also planning to use Loxone, mainly for economic reasons, but after looking more into KNX, I realized there isn’t much difference, if any. Loxone is stylish but unfortunately proprietary.

You can get ETS as described through group orders for 500 euros.
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b54
1 Apr 2016 09:37
Many people probably face this problem: you’re immediately overwhelmed with discussions about the topic, like if you choose KNX, then it has to be done a certain way or another. Usually, the costs add up to amounts that are not easy to cover or justify, especially since the benefits are often not clearly seen by one’s partner.
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FreakErn
1 Apr 2016 09:37
Mycraft schrieb:
Well, people are different. For me, for example, a proprietary system is a no-go. I’d rather pay the 500 euros for ETS; no messing around. There are regular group orders...

And if you’re already so enthusiastic about Loxone like you are, then you would just be blown away by KNX

By “messing around,” I meant bypassing the 500 or 1000 euros for the KNX software. I once read that it is possible to avoid that. Not the system(s) themselves.

It’s possible that I would be overwhelmed by KNX, but we simply didn’t have the budget for it.
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matte
1 Apr 2016 09:58
Thanks, you rarely find such information about costs in relation to automated features.

What surprises me, though, is: don’t you have any motion detectors? What about dimmers for the lighting?
With these two things and some additional LED components, I come to €6,500 (approx. $7,000) for the Loxone parts. If I then factor in the extra effort for wiring, I could imagine getting the home automation done for under €10,000 (approx. $10,750). That would be a price worth it for me.
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FreakErn
1 Apr 2016 10:06
I haven't installed any occupancy sensors yet, but I had an extra conduit installed at each ceiling light outlet to allow for adding them later. Occupancy sensors cost 120€ each when bought ready-made.

There is a DIY option for occupancy sensors that you can solder together yourself for 5-15€.

We don't have any dimmers.
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SirSydom
1 Apr 2016 12:44
FreakErn schrieb:
By "hacking" I meant bypassing the 500 or 1000€ cost for the KNX software. I once read that it is possible to bypass that. Not the system(s) themselves.

Of course, you can also avoid the purchase cost of the KNX actuators if you break into the electrical wholesaler and help yourself.
ETS5 is dongled, and like almost every copy protection so far, the ETS5 has already been cracked.