ᐅ What exactly is a smart home, and is it possible to retrofit one?

Created on: 15 Jun 2021 14:41
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Pacc666
Hello,

I am currently in the process of building a house and have come across the topic of smart homes.

Smart home technology is quite a complex subject, and I am asking for help because I can’t figure it out on my own.

What exactly can a proper smart home do?

I think I only need a very basic smart home or simply remote control for my house.

What I want to have:

Control of roller shutters with rule creation, for example, always open them 30 minutes after sunrise but not before 7 a.m.
Lighting control via smartphone or voice (Philips Hue lamps will be installed in the living room for ambient lighting)
Window sensor for the sliding patio door so my roller shutter doesn’t accidentally lock me out
Video doorbell that notifies me on my phone when I’m at home
Smart sound system in the living and dining area, for example, for internet radio

Maybe later, control of underfloor heating

I definitely want to be able to create rules or scenarios (for example, cinema mode = lower the living room shutters to x % and dim the lights in the living and dining area and activate the ambient lighting)

What I don’t need:
Motion sensors (since I have a dog, they would be triggered all the time anyway)

I’m sure there are many other features I haven’t listed.
I don’t actually need an overly intelligent house.
I just want a few nice quality-of-life improvements.

For now, I want to find out what a proper smart home can actually do to see if I’m missing any functions that might be interesting for me.
K1300S16 Jun 2021 20:42
Some time ago, I saw a "smart home basic package" from a general contractor in North Rhine-Westphalia. It cost about 6,000 euros (approx. 6,000 USD) extra and was based on Loxone. It included roller shutters and a few controllable lights.
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motorradsilke
16 Jun 2021 20:49
Hannes S schrieb:

What difference does it make if I run the scenarios automatically or control them via an app? 🙂

Automatically running scenarios probably do the same thing every time, right? For example, turning on the TV = lowering the roller shutters. But what if today I want to watch TV while looking outside, and tomorrow I prefer a darkened room?
Tarnari16 Jun 2021 21:11
I wouldn’t automatically run scenes by default, unless they are everyday scenes.

However, your example could be implemented using a combination of a weather station and a timer with logic, so that it mostly meets your preferences. And if not, you can always intervene manually.

It’s also important to remember that the goal can’t be a fully automated house. Sooner or later, you will always have to step in at some point.

That’s why the term “smart” home can be quite misleading.
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Pacc666
17 Jun 2021 12:47
Thank you for your messages.

I don't think a bus system will be an option for me, but when the time comes, I will still discuss it with the electrician and ask him to provide me with a quote.

Which wireless solutions would be suitable for me?

I actually find the Opus quite interesting.