Why choose home automation?
Ekinex recommends 10 good reasons why it is worth automating a building and making it modern, efficient and safe.
Reason number 1
Automation and control make the building modern, innovative and prestigious
- Today, it is unthinkable to build a building without an open, future-oriented automation and control system. In this way, the building is innovative and safe, retains its value and commercial appeal over time, and contributes to the necessary environmental sustainability.
- All functions can be controlled using a single device with simple and intuitive gestures. The operation of each household is adapted to the individual needs and requirements of the user, thanks to the possibility of extensive customization.
Lighting control is complete: switching on and off, dimming, selection of color combinations for RGB LED sources. The concept of “dynamic light” becomes a reality: brightness and color warmth that vary throughout the day according to human needs to ensure visual comfort, well-being, concentration and the correct influence on biological rhythms. - The house offers a high level of active and passive security. Anti-burglary control is supported by presence simulation through switching lights on and off when you are not at home, video surveillance with remote control, detection of gas leaks and flood risks with appropriate notifications via alarms.
- Audio and video equipment control is fully integrated with other home automation functions. You can emulate remote controls for multimedia devices such as TVs, video projectors or DVDs and stereos using a single user interface on smartphones or tablets.
Reason number 2
Increased quality of life thanks to improved visual and thermal comfort of the environment and easy use of all integrated functions
- The control of blinds and shutters is automated. In combination with weather stations, it is possible to limit or exploit solar input (depending on the season) and thus achieve significant savings in heating and cooling energy. In the event of precipitation or frost, awnings and shutters can be placed in a safe position to avoid damage.
- Selecting settings for heating, ventilation and air conditioning of rooms. Changing settings, selecting the conductivity mode and setting fan speeds are simple. Control of relative humidity and air quality (CO2 and TVOC) increases comfort. Simple daily and weekly programming of time intervals.
- The most energy-intensive appliances (oven, induction hobs, washing machines) are actively managed by switching off non-priority loads, avoiding the intervention of the main switches. Loads are continuously monitored to increase awareness of their energy behavior, checking which appliances determine the highest consumption and in which time intervals.
- Scenarios allow you to delegate repetitive daily gestures, reset the system according to different housing needs (outside the house-inside the house, summer-winter, leaving-entering, night-day, weekdays-holidays, children at home-outside the house, guests, relaxation, etc.) and call programmed automations.
Reason number 3
System expandability and modularity
- Simplicity in system design and definition of requirements. Suitable for new construction and renovation. Ready for planning with BIM methodology.
Maximum freedom and flexibility in programming devices to achieve the desired functions. - Easy readjustment of the system after structural changes or changes in needs over time (even after a long period since its creation).
- The system equipment and the number of functions to be managed can gradually grow over time. To make this possible, it is necessary to structure the system correctly and then design and prepare it correctly. It is possible to initially set it up with the minimum necessary (at very low costs) and then gradually develop it according to the actual needs.
- The wiring of the system is significantly simpler compared to a traditional solution due to the smaller number of cables installed.
Reason number 4
Manage and interact with the system from anywhere, locally or remotely, and at any time
- This function is made possible by the availability of the latest generation of smartphones and tablets with large screens, friendly and intuitive interfaces and the ability to add tools and functions via apps. More and more high-performance network services allow interaction with extreme reliability and very short response times. Any control task can therefore also be performed via an internet connection.
- Burglary control with presence simulation by turning lights on and off when you are not at home, remote video security monitoring, gas leak and pipe burst control with notification via alarm.
- Innovative voice control via speakers with voice assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and Google Home provides an unparalleled user experience and control convenience.
Reason number 5
System security and reliability
- Control panels connected to a very low safety voltage (absence of 230V mains voltage). Greater safety of use, lower risk of electric shock, reduction of electromagnetic pollution in the home.
- The installation, thanks to the technology on which it is built, is very reliable, which means that the risk of failure or lack of maintenance is almost non-existent.
- The system, due to its inherent reliability, does not require maintenance and regular intervention.
- Simplicity in system design and definition of requirements. Suitable for new construction and renovation.
Reason number 6
Maintaining and increasing the value of a property over time
- Revaluation of the property in the case of renovation, increase and retention of value over time (estimated at around 5%) in the case of new construction. In the United States and the United Kingdom, more than half of real estate agencies have already assigned additional value to properties with home automation solutions, and new buildings are designed or already equipped with numerous automation devices.
- Increase in the value and commercial attractiveness of a building with a higher energy class thanks to home automation equipment (according to UNI EN 15232, to be certified according to UNI/TS 11651).
Increase in the value of the building by achieving System 3 performance level through advanced home automation functions (according to IEC 64-8, chapter 37). - The word “Savings” is already self-explanatory, but do we want to quantify it further? By combining a boiler and a smart thermostat, average savings reach 30%, without any compromise on comfort, thanks to the perfect integration of the weather station, smart thermostatic valves, opening sensors and presence detectors. Exploitation or limitation of sunlight.
- Thermoregulation for individual rooms or zones, and hourly programming to reduce energy consumption, guarantee a high level of comfort in modern buildings. Each degree of temperature reduction corresponds to a saving of approximately 6% energy.
- Home automation is the ideal infrastructure for transmitting and displaying consumption data from smart meters within the building. Only with timely and frequent monitoring and visibility of energy and water consumption on home automation screens or smartphone applications, the user becomes aware of his behavior and can change it.
- Home automation technology significantly contributes to achieving the European Union’s objectives regarding “nearly zero energy” in buildings (nZEB according to Directive 2010/31/EU and L.D. of 4 June 2013, no. 63).
Reason number 7
Saving resources through increased energy efficiency and the use of free renewable energy sources
- Presence and movement detection to activate lighting and air conditioning only where and when really needed.
- Exploiting the solar contribution or limiting it through coordinated and automated shading control.
By dimming light sources, it is possible to reduce energy consumption and adapt the lighting intensity to different situations and needs. - Home and building automation provides an effective tool for achieving environmental sustainability strategies and building certification (according to LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
- Smart homes and buildings are designed for future connection to the smart grid and, in general, to be an active part of the smart city. Automatic management of the building’s energy demand will allow the implementation of the concept of “demand response”, for example, by shifting some consumption in accordance with the current electricity price.
Reason number 8
Tax breaks and taking advantage of incentives
- Possibility of obtaining tax breaks related to home automation system equipment.
Reason number 9
Very small difference in system implementation costs compared to traditional technology
- The modest price difference between a traditional system and automation is caused by the need for certain devices to build an automation system (estimated at approximately 20%). This difference is mainly recovered through lower installation costs (which have been reduced) and lower costs of some installation materials (e.g. cables, pipes).
Reason number 10
Investment protection over time
- The KNX standard guarantees the durability and availability of the technology over time as well as spare parts and replacement products in the future.
- The expansion of KNX and standardized training ensure that expert technicians and competent system integrators are available everywhere.
Improve your home with Ekinex automation.
