Hi,
We are in the process of planning our house and had an appointment with a construction company. The salesperson offered us a smart home system from the company GIRA. He was quite enthusiastic about the technology, especially about the fact that the price has dropped so significantly over the years. It is supposed to cost around 3,000 Euros (about $3,300). When I asked what this system can really do that is impressive, I didn’t get a convincing answer. Remote control? But for what purpose? Some functions can already be programmed by timer without such a system.
What do you think about smart home systems like this? Are they actually interesting? Have I overlooked something or not considered something useful? I really don’t know anyone who has such a system or anyone who misses having one... Is that justified or not? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for your input.
We are in the process of planning our house and had an appointment with a construction company. The salesperson offered us a smart home system from the company GIRA. He was quite enthusiastic about the technology, especially about the fact that the price has dropped so significantly over the years. It is supposed to cost around 3,000 Euros (about $3,300). When I asked what this system can really do that is impressive, I didn’t get a convincing answer. Remote control? But for what purpose? Some functions can already be programmed by timer without such a system.
What do you think about smart home systems like this? Are they actually interesting? Have I overlooked something or not considered something useful? I really don’t know anyone who has such a system or anyone who misses having one... Is that justified or not? What are your thoughts?
Thanks for your input.
The original poster mentioned that they get this for 3,000 euros more. Regarding the wiring, as was mentioned here, it does not get more complicated but actually simpler. When you have electric blinds and underfloor heating, KNX is even cheaper compared to simple switch systems.
In my setup, I have all the main supply lines—for sockets, lighting, etc.—wired in a star topology back to the distribution board. For the sensors (switches, power meters, temperature sensors, etc.), each room has a KNX line that is then distributed locally.
The big advantage of KNX is that you no longer have those wall switch overloads. For example, take a room with 5 blinds, 2 lights, and underfloor heating. Normally, you would need 5 blind switches, 1 thermostat, and 2 light switches (which would cost about 195 euros, including frames, at typical internet prices). The same setup with KNX costs about 300 euros (including actuator channels). If you consider 10 rooms, you end up with additional costs around 1,000 euros. The electrician’s labor time for drilling and installing sockets, laying cables, etc., does not change—because instead of running five NYM cables from the switch to the blind, they run EIB (KNX) cables from the distribution board to the blinds and switches. Additional effort is less or equal to zero; in fact, it is usually less because fewer sockets need to be installed and the cable channels can be narrower.
Additionally, there is the system configuration. For simple on/off functions without many extras, this can be done in one day—provided the electrician knows what they are doing. Any extra cost beyond this is just a bonus for the electrician! (And in this case, I know exactly what I’m talking about.)
As for the point raised about motion detectors with simple on/off systems versus KNX: yes, you can do it traditionally too, but you limit your future options and miss out on the extra comfort that even a minimal KNX installation provides. (Just ask for a traditional central switching system—it will shock you what electricians charge for that!)
So, run green cables to all switches and wire the rest in a star from the distribution board—nothing more is needed.
Regarding visualization, I personally run Fhem, Edomi, and Smartvisu on three Raspberry Pis to see which one suits me best...
In my setup, I have all the main supply lines—for sockets, lighting, etc.—wired in a star topology back to the distribution board. For the sensors (switches, power meters, temperature sensors, etc.), each room has a KNX line that is then distributed locally.
The big advantage of KNX is that you no longer have those wall switch overloads. For example, take a room with 5 blinds, 2 lights, and underfloor heating. Normally, you would need 5 blind switches, 1 thermostat, and 2 light switches (which would cost about 195 euros, including frames, at typical internet prices). The same setup with KNX costs about 300 euros (including actuator channels). If you consider 10 rooms, you end up with additional costs around 1,000 euros. The electrician’s labor time for drilling and installing sockets, laying cables, etc., does not change—because instead of running five NYM cables from the switch to the blind, they run EIB (KNX) cables from the distribution board to the blinds and switches. Additional effort is less or equal to zero; in fact, it is usually less because fewer sockets need to be installed and the cable channels can be narrower.
Additionally, there is the system configuration. For simple on/off functions without many extras, this can be done in one day—provided the electrician knows what they are doing. Any extra cost beyond this is just a bonus for the electrician! (And in this case, I know exactly what I’m talking about.)
As for the point raised about motion detectors with simple on/off systems versus KNX: yes, you can do it traditionally too, but you limit your future options and miss out on the extra comfort that even a minimal KNX installation provides. (Just ask for a traditional central switching system—it will shock you what electricians charge for that!)
So, run green cables to all switches and wire the rest in a star from the distribution board—nothing more is needed.
Regarding visualization, I personally run Fhem, Edomi, and Smartvisu on three Raspberry Pis to see which one suits me best...