Smart home control, provider / experiences?

Hi,

I am also interested in the topic. However, I will only implement it after moving in, as we are already in the process of signing the contract. What should I have prepared during the new construction to be able to easily implement OpenHab or another non-KNX bus solution later on? Is there anything specific I should pay attention to, for example, empty conduits or other things that should be considered right from the start?

Nothing is easy at all... that is then intentional and not mastered... and more or less play... so what are the wishes? In other words, what should be controllable/regulatable and how is the [Haustechnik]? So what is being installed? Heating, ventilation, etc.

Hi,

I am also interested in the topic. However, I will only implement it after moving in, as we are already in the process of signing the contract. What should I have prepared during the new construction to later easily realize OpenHab or another non-KNX bus solution, for example? Do I need to pay attention to anything specific, such as empty ducts or other things that should be taken into consideration right away?

I do it the same way. I have compared many systems and their advantages and disadvantages. From an initial plan to rely on Homematic, I am now convinced of the Z-Wave system with Fibaro. The only wired option that I don’t find uninteresting is Loxone. However, even here the planning and wiring effort is quite enormous since a star-shaped CAT7 wiring is necessary and it is also a proprietary system.

As I see it, the most important thing for the radio-based systems is that you install deep flush-mounted boxes so that the authors behind the switches have space and that the electrician lays the neutral conductor everywhere.

But in general, you can never have enough empty ducts.

We have also compared several systems and the combination we wanted is offered by only a few systems (controlling underfloor heating, automating roller shutters/lights, switching some sockets, controlling photovoltaics with battery at the beginning, but later expandable with possibly sun/wind/rain sensors, motion detectors, window contacts, electronic door opener...). KNX was too expensive for us, especially the fact that the programming still costs was annoying. We have now decided on Loxone. The wiring is currently in progress and is causing the electrician some sweat beads on his forehead. While we are pulling most of the network cables ourselves, he is laying the conduits for it. Pictures of the cable loom running through our house are in the blog. Additional costs for home automation including Loxone parts: about €7,000 (hard to calculate because the base price did not include a single network/TV/Sat cable or outdoor lamp, garage electricity etc., in total, we have €11,000 additional costs with the electrician). With this, when moving in, we can switch all roller shutters / lamps and 2 sockets per room, photovoltaics / battery / heat pump are integrated. In addition, there are enough conduits to implement the aforementioned possibly planned features later without radio and chasing the walls. Good advice on wiring is important, we were with a Loxone sales partner AND our house electrician already knew the system. As a result, we had a lot of input and my husband can do the programming himself because of his profession.

I personally also like the principle of Loxone, that is the star wiring with central control units, significantly better than, for example, KNX. Above all, it is future-proof because, if necessary, you can relatively easily switch to another system or classic switches. However, I am more of a Comexio fan here. They have stronger outputs (16 A per relay) and even more of those on the server, dimmer, and extension. In addition, I like to see what my lamps etc. consume, and that is already included there.

I'm not really a technical person, Philips provides lighting and RWE heating. Do you think this is a combination worth it? We don't need monitoring or anything like that. The main thing is to reduce costs and increase comfort. The system from Loxone seems a bit too complicated to me, I have to be honest.... P.S. I know that Philips recently had some issues with the firmware, but I still think it's the best solution.