FAQ
Home Owner / End User Questions
A Common misconception is that Automation systems are inherently far more expensive that conventional wiring. With a KNX system this is no longer a correct assumption, this is because KNX is an open protocol meaning there are hundreds of manufacturers making devices that all speak to one another. Other benefits of this are more innovation, higher quality products as every device must pass a strict testing process conducted by the KNX Association and competition keeping prices competitive. During our 8+ Years in this field we’ve managed to and continue to create amazing relationships with top manufacturers, meaning exclusive deals and great relationships with shipping companies getting all our products here quickly & for a great price.
There are many benefits depending on your use of the system, as a base level this will include things such as securing your home for the future & ever evolving technology, Increasing the resell ability of the home, further personalization of the electrical aspects within the home, much more functionality and options to integrate other things into your system and energy management. These are all benefits from simply wiring your home with KNX, this is only the beginning of having a “smart home” however, from here you go as far with it as you would like from creating a True energy efficient home going as in depth as psychically possible, Making your home completely self-sufficient in keeping a comfortable climate while not wasting energy, Voice control & Remote access via a smartphone, Logical Automations, Timers & Schedulers on every KNX controlled thing in the home and ability to fully merge your home into IoT systems!
Our most common and popular Automations that we recommend in every KNX installation is a “Goodbye” and a “Welcome Home” function. The “Goodbye” will turn off all of the lights in the home making leaving the house / going to bed simple as you can ensure nothing is left on with a single button press, this can also be expanded to include Heating, Blinds / Curtains and even arm an alarm system. Whereas the “Welcome Home” will work in the inverse but instead of turning on all the lights it will only turn on key lighting for entering the home, this can also be expanded and customized. These commands can be assigned to a switch, timer, logical automation and much more allowing for peace of mind. These are relatively basic automations, but the possibilities can get quite advanced depending on what youre wanting to achieve.
We provide support with end users regarding helping them find installers or service people to achieve their desired results or to service their existing system. Outside of that we provide product support if you have any queries regarding a product or any sort of questions regarding automation automation.
If your home already has KNX in it, you can swap out any part of your system with an equivalent or something similar. For example, any normal switch can be replaced with a glass panel. Where the is already an existing KNX device you can also easily add another KNX device near it that includes, Room sensors (Humidity, Temperature, C02 and Even Smoke alarms). Your home can also be put onto a remote access system and connected up to IoT devices. A regular lighting circuit can be switched to a dimming one by adding a dimmer into the switchboard & so much more if you have an accessible roof space!
Reach out to us with your ideas and we can help you out!
One of our favorite devices we like to offer to end users is a Zennio Z50 Touch panel. This is an easy to use, clean, modern and in-depth device that give you a lot of insight and control over your system, from being able to create our own timers and schedules to remotely accessing you home via the Zennio Remote app. There is also the option for a Voice control and Intercom License on top of this giving you so much more control. This device can control everything from lighting (dimming, RGBW and Temperature changing.) to heating, Blinds and you can even get your cameras on it!
Another device we like to recommend to Tech savvy users who would like to add their home into an IoT system or just have more control of the system themselves is a 1Home Server. This works as a way to add every KNX device in your home to work with IoT devices such that you can buy and install yourself, meaning that you have the freedom to do whatever you wish with your home without the risk of making changes to the actual KNX programming set in place.
Installer Questions
- My client is interested in automation, where do I start?
- What Support is in place for installers?
- Where can I purchase your products?
- I want to do a KNX job do I need to know how to program?
- Can you help with Planning projects?
- There are no Partners in my Region can I still get help?
- How do I become a Partner?
- What Benefits do I get from installing KNX?
The best place to start is by figuring out exactly where they stand regarding what home automation means and what they are wanting to achieve, this will let you know what they are expecting, and you can see what their priorities are in the home. With this information you can reach out to us or Telfers electrical and ask for help regarding planning a KNX install. For prewiring a KNX Home the best way of doing it is by running everything that will be switched directly back to the switchboard and follow our instructions for installers as shown here. If there is any aspect of the job that you are still unsure about reach out to us or a Telfers Rep for further assistance.
Our goal is to create a space where any installer can install KNX and have a smooth and rewarding experience, for this reason we have lots of support in place from partnerships to guides. In regard to helping on projects we will help with any product support but can also help with other aspects which may incur a fee depending on the level of involvement. We also have a collection of guides on how to install KNX and understanding KNX which you can find here.
The Products in our store can be purchased on our website or from Telfers Electrical. Any purchases made online will be forwarded to Telfers Electrical and can be added onto a trade account or as a cash sale. Any purchases made via a cash sale will not include trade discounts.
No, with the help from our partners we can help out with programming needs if you are not confident or just need a hand with certain aspects. Along with this we provide training courses along with telfers to train Installers Basic and Advanced programming. Please reach out if you’re wanting to enlist help with the programming of a job as early into the project as possible.
Yes, we are always happy to help with the preparation of a KNX project and can give helpful insights, Tips and tricks and create briefs from years within the industry. These may incur fees depending on the level on Involvement, We can also create user guides & other documentation depending on requirements.
Partnerships are offered to installers that we have worked with on 3+ projects as by this point we will have a confidence In the installers abilities. With a Partnership come lots of benefits such as increased support and recommendations to clients that come directly to us in search of a KNX installer.
With KNX there is always an ability to expand the system and usually we will see this done for years to come after the original install. This will give you reoccurring work and with the ability to upgrade almost every part of the system there is always the ability to offer the client with more features. With the we’d highly recommend trying to get clients to prewire for things that will be hard to add in after initial install, such as Blinds, Louvres, Garden lighting etc…
Architects / Project Manager Questions
Buildings represent the state-of-the-art in construction and therefore, they should be equipped with state-of-the-art technology. KNX is the only technology worldwide that can confirm live to meet the expectations of the professionals’ offering solutions that are the most innovative such as KNX IoT and that still work with products launched thirty years ago. If you’re designing a project that isĀ supposed to stand out why not make it stand out in functionality and longevity?
Ease of use, Scalability, energy efficiency and monitoring.
It can integrate every application (air conditioners, heating’s, photovoltaic panels, lighting, etc.) into one joint system. It does notĀ need to create different trucking or pumps for different areas. This brings security, efficiency, ease of use for the professionals to configure the separate areas and for the users to benefit from it.
While the upfront cost will likely be more depending on how complex the project is it has the ability to greatly reduce running costs once everything is up and running. The main reasons for this is having less secluded systems that come with their own servicing, another is the ability to monitor and breakdown power usage as specific as you require, this can be used to track down where the most power is being consumed in a building and then use the logic, automation and converter features to create installation specific solutions.
Another major cost benefit is the ability to integrate into other systems like a BMS system. This allows for even more integration and automation!
Were here to help with planning installations, we can assist in system maintenance and installation, and we have years of experience with manufactures allowing us to recommend the best products for each application and also get direct support from manufacturers to help create solutions!
We are here for support of all parties from the planning phase onwards. With direct contact to manufacturers and the best KNX support networks.