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Automated Home 2.0

                                    array(23) {
  ["id"]=>
  int(6648)
  ["name"]=>
  string(18) "Automated Home 2.0"
  ["slug"]=>
  string(18) "automated-home-2-0"
  ["challenge"]=>
  string(989) "Our client is no stranger to smart home systems, having run a website on home automation since 1996. No pressure!

Having spent nearly 25 years playing with home automation products and gadgets, Mark and Helen had lived with the pain that often comes from these DIY solutions over the years. It is fair to say they knew what they didn't want and had a fairly sure idea of what they wanted to work towards achieving. They had previously completed a self build, starting in 1999, in which Mark set up a lot of the controls for lighting, heating and various other aspects of automation.

For this new project, the clients were keen to move away from the standalone "smart" products and whatever is popular this month on Amazon. Instead, they wanted a home which was well planned, professionally integrated, and expertly installed. A focus on energy efficiency and monitoring was also key. So, in 2018, Epitome Living were appointed to make it all come together. " ["solution"]=> string(1687) "A combination of Loxone Tree light fittings (RGBW Spots, Ceiling Light and Pendulum Slims), LED strip lighting, 230v dimmable fittings for sloped ceiling and an Epitome Living custom made LED light bar over the island centre piece meant this property is beautifully lit. The theme continues outside with more LED strip, 3rd party 230v fittings and Loxone Surface Spots used extensively through out the house. Naturally, every light fitting is controlled via Loxone, even the garage. Maximum control of lighting provides the most value and flexibility.

For heating and energy efficiency, direct integration with the heat pump via Modbus TCP was vital. With this facility, we were able to maximise energy efficiency and take advantage of off-peak energy rates, storing that energy in the thermal mass of the open plan living, dining & kitchen area.

Shading also helps with climate control, with the majority of blinds in the property motorised and controlled through Loxone.

Audio is now controlled via the Loxone Audioserver, with a combination of Loxone Ceiling Speakers in most rooms, as well as integration with third party "invisible" speakers and in-island subwoofer from Amina.

Energy monitoring is achieved through integration with clamp meters for key circuits, such as getting data for the heat pump, car charger and other key electrical loads in the property.

Finally, access control for all pedestrian doors, both garage doors and the main gate is controlled via the Loxone App and an NFC Code Touch. Combined with a Loxone Intercom, the Loxone experience begins as soon as you approach the house. " ["partner_quote"]=> string(367) "It was clear from the outset that no other control system would do for the scope of this project. Having everything integrated together was key, and no third party apps were to be used.

With Loxone's ever improving energy features, it was clear that this was a solution for the future, not just to tick a box for "energy efficiency" in the short term." ["partner_quote_name"]=> string(14) "Scott McMurray" ["partner_quote_position"]=> string(8) "Director" ["more_info_url"]=> string(50) "https://www.loxone.com/enen/blog/automated-home-2/" ["preview_image"]=> string(81) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1683636903-768x768.jpg" ["application_areas"]=> array(6) { [0]=> string(8) "lighting" [1]=> string(7) "shading" [2]=> string(7) "heating" [3]=> string(11) "ventilation" [4]=> string(6) "access" [5]=> string(6) "energy" } ["tags"]=> array(0) { } ["project_type"]=> array(1) { [0]=> string(10) "smart_home" } ["copyright"]=> NULL ["images"]=> array(5) { [0]=> array(2) { ["image"]=> string(83) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1683636903-1024x1024.jpg" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "Epitome Living" } [1]=> array(2) { ["image"]=> string(82) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1683636925-1024x683.jpg" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "Epitome Living" } [2]=> array(2) { ["image"]=> string(82) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1683636940-1024x683.jpg" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "Epitome Living" } [3]=> array(2) { ["image"]=> string(113) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Epitome-Living-Automated-Home-2.0-Shower-C-Resized.jpg" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "Epitome Living" } [4]=> array(2) { ["image"]=> string(121) "https://portal.loxone.com/admin/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Epitome-Living-Automated-Home-2.0-Lounge-Kitchen-C-Resized.jpg" ["copyright"]=> string(14) "Epitome Living" } } ["country"]=> string(2) "UK" ["city"]=> string(30) "Hillsborough, Northern Ireland" ["build_year"]=> string(4) "2020" ["square_meters"]=> string(3) "280" ["account_data"]=> array(4) { ["id"]=> string(36) "3a3696ff-3883-46bc-aa31-706401a57984" ["name"]=> string(18) "Epitome Living Ltd" ["website"]=> string(30) "https://www.epitomeliving.com/" ["partner_website"]=> string(47) "/partner/BT62 3DL-co-armagh/epitome-living-ltd/" } ["conference"]=> NULL ["products"]=> array(18) { [0]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100029" ["name"]=> string(16) "Dimmer Extension" } [1]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100038" ["name"]=> string(15) "Relay Extension" } [2]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100114" ["name"]=> string(18) "Air Base Extension" } [3]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100125" ["name"]=> string(19) "RGBW 24V Dimmer Air" } [4]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100211" ["name"]=> string(16) "Water Sensor Air" } [5]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100213" ["name"]=> string(36) "Door & Window Contact Air Anthracite" } [6]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100239" ["name"]=> string(20) "RGBW 24V Dimmer Tree" } [7]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100246" ["name"]=> string(20) "Weather Station Tree" } [8]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100218" ["name"]=> string(14) "Tree Extension" } [9]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100485" ["name"]=> string(19) "Intercom Anthracite" } [10]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100221" ["name"]=> string(16) "Touch Tree White" } [11]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100225" ["name"]=> string(19) "Valve Actuator Tree" } [12]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100462" ["name"]=> string(26) "Touch Pure Tree Anthracite" } [13]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100335" ["name"]=> string(10) "Miniserver" } [14]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100428" ["name"]=> string(11) "Audioserver" } [15]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100429" ["name"]=> string(16) "Stereo Extension" } [16]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100309" ["name"]=> string(33) "LED Pendulum Slim Tree Anthracite" } [17]=> array(2) { ["sku"]=> string(6) "100330" ["name"]=> string(24) "LED Spot RGBW Tree White" } } ["video"]=> string(11) "vrBb9vP7pRM" }

Challenge

Our client is no stranger to smart home systems, having run a website on home automation since 1996. No pressure!

Having spent nearly 25 years playing with home automation products and gadgets, Mark and Helen had lived with the pain that often comes from these DIY solutions over the years. It is fair to say they knew what they didn't want and had a fairly sure idea of what they wanted to work towards achieving. They had previously completed a self build, starting in 1999, in which Mark set up a lot of the controls for lighting, heating and various other aspects of automation.

For this new project, the clients were keen to move away from the standalone "smart" products and whatever is popular this month on Amazon. Instead, they wanted a home which was well planned, professionally integrated, and expertly installed. A focus on energy efficiency and monitoring was also key. So, in 2018, Epitome Living were appointed to make it all come together.

Solution

A combination of Loxone Tree light fittings (RGBW Spots, Ceiling Light and Pendulum Slims), LED strip lighting, 230v dimmable fittings for sloped ceiling and an Epitome Living custom made LED light bar over the island centre piece meant this property is beautifully lit. The theme continues outside with more LED strip, 3rd party 230v fittings and Loxone Surface Spots used extensively through out the house. Naturally, every light fitting is controlled via Loxone, even the garage. Maximum control of lighting provides the most value and flexibility.

For heating and energy efficiency, direct integration with the heat pump via Modbus TCP was vital. With this facility, we were able to maximise energy efficiency and take advantage of off-peak energy rates, storing that energy in the thermal mass of the open plan living, dining & kitchen area.

Shading also helps with climate control, with the majority of blinds in the property motorised and controlled through Loxone.

Audio is now controlled via the Loxone Audioserver, with a combination of Loxone Ceiling Speakers in most rooms, as well as integration with third party "invisible" speakers and in-island subwoofer from Amina.

Energy monitoring is achieved through integration with clamp meters for key circuits, such as getting data for the heat pump, car charger and other key electrical loads in the property.

Finally, access control for all pedestrian doors, both garage doors and the main gate is controlled via the Loxone App and an NFC Code Touch. Combined with a Loxone Intercom, the Loxone experience begins as soon as you approach the house.

It was clear from the outset that no other control system would do for the scope of this project. Having everything integrated together was key, and no third party apps were to be used.

With Loxone's ever improving energy features, it was clear that this was a solution for the future, not just to tick a box for "energy efficiency" in the short term.

Scott McMurrayDirector