Meet Our Partners: Inspiro by d3
Welcome to another ‘Meet Our Partners’ blog, a series in which we meet the faces behind our network of companies who install Loxone all across the world. Today we’re chatting to Andy McCully, Founder & Installation Director at Inspiro, a Loxone Gold Partner based in Perth, Scotland. To kick off, we asked Andy to tell us a little about how Inspiro came to be.
“We have another company, d3 Audio Visual, that has a focus on commercial AV and automation solutions. d3 Audio Visual was established in 2005 and over the decade has completed some of the biggest AV projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past several years, we had noticed an increase in requests from people curious about home automation and smart home technology. This led us to form Inspiro Smart Home Technology and meet the demand of a growing stream of residential enquiries.”
What made you decide to become a Loxone Partner?
“Having vast experience in the commercial market, we understand the importance of choosing the correct product for the job.
We had tested a variety of smart home manufactures extensively and arrived at the conclusion that Loxone was the best option.
We found that the equipment’s ease of use was the best in the market, both for installers and for end users. Together the reliability and the programming of the system were also impressive. The value for money that Loxone could offer represented a great selling point for our customers. Finally, the innovative and expansive goals of the Loxone group gave us peace of mind that it was not some “flash in the pan” system.”
What makes your company different? What are your unique selling points?
“The skills we developed in managing some of the biggest commercial projects, we transfer over to our residential projects. The customer has peace of mind that we install and commission their smart home project with the same integrity and expertise we use when completing projects in Old Trafford Stadium, Manchester. The technical expertise we can provide is also a great selling point to the customers. The knowledge of installing and programming a vast range of technologies puts us in a great position to solve the majority of problems the customer may have. And if we can’t solve it, we are bound to know someone that can.
Finally, we are the only current Loxone Gold Partner in Scotland, a title we are proud to have and surely a unique selling point to those looking at installing a Loxone system in the North.”
Tell us a little about your latest project. What features did you install? How has your customer benefitted from their new Loxone Smart Home?
“Our latest project we have just completed is, in fact, our new smart home showroom, here in Perth. Working with another local company, Callum Walker Interiors, we were granted the opportunity to install a complete smart home system in their brand new showroom.
The features installed in the project were numerous as we wanted to replicate a complete smart home system to demonstrate to our customer base. We have Loxone lighting throughout the property and the Loxone spotlights (both RGBW and Warm White) are used in the building. To automate the lighting there is a motion sensor in each area of the showroom. Both the lighting and motions sensors are integrated into the alarm. To arm and disarm the alarm we make use of an iButton reader.
We also have an intercom unit in the showroom to demonstrate access control and a Hikvision CCTV system merged into the application.
Another key feature of Loxone is music distribution and the ways it can integrate with other key aspects of the smart home. There is a four zone Loxone Music Server in the showroom with pairs of ceiling speakers in each zone. Of course, we have a library of music that the client can access and get hands-on experience with the Loxone Music Server. The music server is furthermore integrated with both the intercom and into the alarm. When the intercom unit has been pressed, the music server plays a doorbell sound. When the arm has been triggered, each zone in the music system sounds the siren.
The new building is fronted with glazing, an excellent opportunity to employ blinds in the system. We have 8 blinds linked into the system and they can all be controlled by the app and are automated, regulated by the temperature of the room. The heating is also integrated through the Loxone system, creating four zones of heating control and automation. We have included temperature sensors discreetly behind the light switches. To round things off there is energy monitoring on the system, an MVHR boost function, and presence simulation amongst others.
The Loxone system, coupled with the fantastic kitchens and interiors that Callum Walkers are displaying, really make the showroom essential viewing for those beginning a new build project.“
What would be your ultimate home automation project?
“This isn’t really a full project per se, however, living and completing projects in the North of Scotland generally means bad weather. Therefore, we have yet to design a system for a new build project that has a swimming pool. It would be a new and exciting experience to integrate a swimming pool into the Loxone system.“
In your opinion, where will the smart home industry be, in the UK, in 2020?
“We’ve definitely seen a rise of home developers become increasingly aware of the possibilities that a smart home can offer. Manufacturers like Loxone have made smart home systems so much more affordable so it is no longer just a product for the elite bespoke homes. What I would like to see over the next four years would be some major home developers throughout the UK to begin to futureproof and install even the basic aspects of a smart home in all their developments.”
What trends are you seeing in home automation? What is popular with your customers?
“This year we have seen a general increase in people embarking on self-build projects that want to have at least the basics of a smart home. The people we are talking to now appear to have a greater understanding of smart home technology and what is achievable in the house.
A trend that we are coming across more frequently is clients considering the need to future proof their new build home. They are becoming aware that the current methods of building a home are outdated and they realise that futureproofing the new build is an investment. This can range from wiring up CAT7 to cabling for music zones and installing the equipment at a later date.”
If you could give one piece of advice to someone thinking of having Loxone installed, what would it be?
“If you are interested in installing a Loxone system I would advise you to do your research, see the system in action in the showroom and prioritise the features that you feel are essential to your home. Many clients we deal with have lofty ambitions for their system, however building a new home is rarely a smooth experience and constraints on budgets can begin to appear. If the client has a list of priorities, we can base a design around these aspects and also futureproof certain aspects. It makes the design process efficient and keeps the budget respectable.”
About Inspiro
Inspiro by d3 specialise in the planning and delivery of exceptional residential home automation across the UK. To find out more about Inspiro or to book a visit to their showroom, please visit their website: www.inspiro.house
Inpsiro will be exhibiting at the Scottish Home Show 2016. To find out more and book tickets, please visit the show website.