What really lies behind the "Smart Home"?

Let's first determine who might find this article interesting. Those who are planning to start building their own home or undertake a major renovation of an apartment, as well as professional residential developers, will find a lot of interesting information here.

In reality, a "smart home" is nothing more than a marketing term that has been captivating the minds of ordinary people for the past 15 years. There is no such thing as a "smart home". It's simply a set of solutions for automating engineering systems in a building, providing the end user with comfort, energy savings, and security.

Let's draw an analogy between a home and a modern car. When you're driving and, for example, it starts to rain, the windshield wipers will automatically start working. If it gets dark on the road, the car's headlights will turn on by themselves. The climate control, which you set to +21°C, always remains at this value (regardless of whether it's winter or summer), and you don't have to think about adjusting it. How is this fundamentally different from what we have in a modern house? Lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, electrical systems, various drives/motors, and audio-video systems. It's all the same as in a car, just on a larger scale.

Technology is the main cornerstone. What should home automation be built on? Today, there are many different technologies. Especially in the last 5-10 years, with global IT giants (Apple, Google, Amazon) joining the race. However, most of these technologies are wireless (ZigBee, Tuya, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, EnOcean, BLE), and some of them are even "proprietary" (can only work within the ecosystem of one manufacturer).

In my opinion, the most reliable technology for automating engineering systems in residential and commercial properties today is the KNX protocol, which recently turned 35 years old. This technology is supported by more than 500 manufacturers worldwide (all global brands in the lighting/electrical or HVAC segment participate in the development of KNX). The basis of the KNX automation system is the transmission of signals via cables. Nothing more reliable than a cable has been invented yet!

The main benefit for the end consumer in the KNX automation protocol is that, within one project, you can always combine equipment from different manufacturers, and it will (by default) work together. For example, you like switches from one brand, but a presence sensor or a motor for blinds from another manufacturer. If the devices have the KNX logo, they will all work together.

Some might argue that KNX is very expensive! Yes, 5-10 years ago, only clients with a solid budget could afford KNX automation. But with the arrival of Chinese manufacturers, the cost of solutions has become significantly cheaper, and the quality of products from China is not inferior to European counterparts. Since I run a building automation business in Russia and Serbia simultaneously, starting from 2022, I've had enough time to be convinced of the decent quality of devices from Chinese manufacturers.

You can never know the exact cost of an automation solution for your specific house or apartment in advance if there is no ready project. Those who promise to calculate an average solution based on square meters are being very misleading (to put it mildly). The cost of home automation always consists of several components: design, equipment supply, programming, and commissioning. Also, if you don't have a lighting/electrical and climate project, nothing will work. A project is always done first. If creating a project is too expensive for you and you want to save money, perhaps a "smart home" is not what you need.

When discussing the cost of investments in construction (whether it's an apartment or a private house), ask yourself: how many years do I plan to use this property? Am I building for myself, or is it just an investment tool (for resale), and its quality is not that important to me? The answers to these questions will help you to choose the right solution: to drive a modern car with comfort and fuel savings or a car from the last century? It is fair to note that both cars will take you from point A to point B, but with different effects. The choice is always up to the client.

What connects automation with comfort in residential projects? I have been periodically living in Serbia (Zemun, Belgrade) since 2022. The main task of residential properties in Serbia (for most of the year) is managing air conditioning and sun protection. Although heating costs in winter months are also significant. In most modern homes, heating is based on electric convectors, and meanwhile, the cost of electricity for private consumers in Serbia is almost three times higher than in Russia. Therefore, the nuances of comfort in homes or apartments are closely related to energy-saving solutions. This is exactly what KNX automation deals with.

Let's consider managing the operation of an air conditioner in summer (considering open windows) or heating in winter and transitional periods. There are statistics from different manufacturers about the energy savings you can achieve in your home if you use an automation system (compared to a similar property without automation). Here are the figures:

- Lighting savings will be about 60%

- Heating (air conditioning) savings - 25%

- Due to the use of automatic blinds - 32%

- Ventilation management savings - up to 45%.

As practical experience shows, lowering the air temperature in a room by 1°C can reduce heat energy consumption by 6%. By my rough estimate, the payback period for investments in KNX automation (ROI) at current energy prices in Serbia is up to 3 years. After that, this equipment will bring you profit.

In residential properties, safety primarily means protection from leaks and fires. All these solutions are easily integrated into the overall KNX management system. I would also add convenient monitoring of the property through IP camera management from anywhere in the world, intercom, and the ability to simulate the presence of owners (turning lights on/off, moving curtains, playing music, etc.). You get control over all parameters of your home in the form of a convenient interface on your mobile phone. Most clients choose this way of interacting with their "smart home."

Decisions about using an automation system should be made at the earliest stage of construction – when you are just starting to design lighting, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. In this case, you can most effectively apply all elements of the management system for a minimal budget. Automation is a top-level engineering system that manages all other engineering subsystems in the house. In the future, the KNX automation system will easily allow you to expand, upgrade, reprogram, and add new elements and functions at any time.

Currently, I’m working on three residential apartment building projects (business class) in Moscow, where all apartments are delivered with a finished interior. At an early stage of construction, we develop automation solutions for each type of apartment, and the developer lays the KNX cable during construction alongside traditional electrical wiring. Then a demo apartment is implemented on the site, equipped with all possible automation systems (mock-up room), where future residents of the complex can choose the solutions they are interested in. The investor spends minimal initial costs (just the KNX cable) but gains an additional tool for selling apartments and, accordingly, an increased percentage of concluded deals.

Our company represents the KNX equipment from the Chinese brand SATION in the Serbian, Balkan, and Russian markets, and we have been involved in building automation industry for more than 20 years. For the Serbian market, we have set prices lower than other manufacturers to make these solutions accessible to a wider range of clients. We offer a full-cycle service tailored to your needs: developing an automation concept for the property, designing with the help of partner planner companies in Serbia, supplying equipment, and commissioning. Our products come with a 5-year warranty.

https://youtu.be/HllwcY_8Z08?si=r2e2xdu4Z94MdrrQ

Contact us, and we will prepare a proposal for automating your property. We have also established a KNX training center in Belgrade, which officially trains building automation specialists and issues international certificates.

Andrey Golovin, CEO, RBTT Consultants DOO