Smart home / Home automation - Consulting

I am also not fundamentally against KNX, I would say if you automate, then do it properly and then use KNX. For me, however, in order to have a real added value beyond just playing around, there would have to be many sensors like presence detectors everywhere and more actuators, ideally (good) speakers in every room, and more, so that, for example, the music you listen to follows you. Household appliances should at least be partially integrable, but if I set it up like that, there will certainly be huge additional costs, not just 10k. Most of what I read here does not require automation. By the way, alarm systems from renowned manufacturers can do more than just make loud noise (because that argument is made in that direction). Otherwise, I stick to my view that time saved through automation is minimal; you can only gain a bit, and with significant investment even more comfort, although there are solutions for almost everything without it.

What exactly can I do with a bus system in really practical, real-world relevant matters?

On the other hand, what is desired? Because everything imaginable is possible...

So: what do you do at home with your KNX? What exactly is possible with it? I would also be grateful for a link where really meaningful use cases are described. To be honest, I couldn’t find anything quickly.

I don’t do anything with it, the house practically does everything by itself. You have to come up with the use cases yourself, because everyone has different wishes and requirements. I have already described the use case with the weather station.

Of course the roller shutters can operate sun protection independently of other systems, but without integration the roller shutters just go up and down and for sun protection they need the sun position and the intensity or the indoor temperature.

For the attic window roller shutters you need another system again, since it is from a different manufacturer, and the awning is from a third and therefore needs a third system.

As already said, you then have a whole zoo of independent systems and the roller shutter already goes down but the awning is still open... sure, all this somehow works... but only somehow...


What you imagine is all possible, but the wishes of each person are very different. For example, I see absolutely no added value in multi-room systems, i.e. speakers in the rooms; in my opinion, that is an unnecessary cost factor and just a gimmick at the beginning... but yes, it is possible.

By the way, alarm systems have no place in KNX, because then the VdS certification is lost... at most for forwarding information to the resident.

For the roof window shutters, you need a different system again, since it's a different manufacturer, and the awning is from a third one, so you need a third system.

I know what you mean, but just a little bit off-topic: I have Velux roof windows and got really annoyed with their control system – they want a lot of money for total rubbish (interface controlling interface controlling interface).

A buddy built me something and now the parts are nicely controlled by my Gira system.

Exactly, Velux is, for example, an example of how not to do it...

Z... So KNX is the only true thing? I don't believe that.

What can KNX do that the other systems cannot?

No, besides that there are also WAGO I/O, LCN, Beckhoff, Modbus, Crestron, DMX, and so on....

Each has its advantages and disadvantages... KNX is not the only way, it can’t do everything either, but here other goals are pursued; it’s not about having "the best system," but about the highest possible flexibility and integration and, of course, interchangeability.

With KNX, the systems I mentioned above and others can be connected with each other. 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 reliant only on manufacturer-specific solutions, which are often excellent in one area but poor in another...

With KNX, you can draw from the full range and pick out the best bits...