In part two of how to choose the right home automation system for a new build, we’re moving from internet-based solutions to integrated smart systems.
Wired systems will always be our preference for new builds, regardless of brand. There are several professional installers across Northern Ireland and Ireland offering a variety of brands and installation approaches, and we’re all advocating for wired smart home technology as the best choice homeowners can make. You can read more about why that is here.
Do note that unlike the WiFi-based devices we talked about in part one, these smart home solutions need to be installed by a professional. That brings labour costs into the equation that are absent in DIY solutions.
Here are our thoughts on some of the most frequently used home automation brands in Northern Ireland.
Loxone offers the best integrated home technology system that we can find. That’s why it forms the infrastructure of so many of our projects. For new builds, it offers almost infinite flexibility, scalability, and reliability. We’ve actually written an entire blog post on the advantages of Loxone for home automation projects.
A key security factor of Loxone is the company’s cloud-free principle: Loxone Miniservers, the central control units of the building automation system, operate locally and independently within each building. They require neither a connection to Loxone servers nor to the internet in order to function. Loxone operates in complete contrast to cloud-reliant systems created by Amazon devices, or the like.
In the wake of a recent cyberattack on the company’s internal infrastructure, this local access model proved to be a major advantage to Loxone’s customers, as an attack on the company’s systems didn’t reach the controls inside buildings.
The risk of your system being hacked reduces when your data is protected inside your home, rather than in an unknown location somewhere else in the world. The only people that have access to your data, then, are you, and if required for support and maintenance, your installer. We’ve written a blog on how to avoid your smart system being ‘hacked’ if that’s a concern you have about installing one (spoiler: change your passwords).
The cost of a Loxone system scales with the complexity of the integration. This means you could comfortably install a single process solution like lighting control (although we always recommend integrating lighting and heating control at a minimum) in one room, or throughout your home, and at the same time create the infrastructure that allows other systems to be installed at a later date. Whole-home audio is a good example of a down-the-line dream for our clients. Some of our clients installed their whole-home audio system a few years after their initial installation once the biggest outgoings of a build or renovation had passed.
Imagination is the limit with Loxone systems. The brand can integrate with heat pumps, solar panels, EV chargers - anything in a home that involves technology. Creativity meets practicality with how your home looks and functions. We’re very big fans.
We’re also big fans of Lutron, having recently become an official Lutron Dealer.
Lutron is the perfect solution for bringing true luxury to your new build. The brand’s lighting and shading control solutions are the prime example of high-end, experiential automation solutions. Lutron’s Customer Experience Portal (an iPad app designed to show customers the potential of their system) oozes as much class and beauty as the installations do in real life.
Lutron focuses on lighting control and window treatment control, with a range of options to suit different requirements within each element. Full integration of technologies within the brand isn’t available, but the scope of what can be created with lighting and shading control when it comes to security and energy management is impressive. They can also be integrated with technologies from different brands, including Amazon, Google, Loxone and Control4.
Lutron automation solutions come with a high-end price point that’s worth every penny.
KNX connects lighting, heating, security and more into one intelligent control system.
The main benefit of a KNX system is the freedom it gives to combine smart technology brands into a single system. Using KNX keeps your options open for what you want to control in your home, and how you want to control it. With KNX infrastructure in place you can mix brands, add functions and evolve your property at your pace, all within one reliable system.
One drawback of this approach is that KNX’s flexibility can become a limitation, as the effort required to integrate technologies increases with every new element added. You definitely need a professional involved when it comes to KNX home automation, and design becomes extra important so the system works effectively. This complexity can result in increased planning and installation costs.
KNX also requires homeowners to hold a license to use its software. This may incur further costs. And because multiple vendors are involved, support and service processes vary. In practice, this can lead to greater coordination efforts and longer response times.
KNX is still a good system to go for if you want flexibility, scalability, and system customisation.
A Control4 home automation system unifies the control of multiple technology systems into a single system, much like Loxone or KNX. Control4 is more focused on AV than any of the previously mentioned brands. And, much like KNX, a customised system is built through the use of several smart home products from different brands.
Control4’s AV focus makes it a more luxury choice for home automation, with standard pricing sitting higher than Loxone or KNX. Control4 can also come with subscription fees to keep software up-to-date or create customisations.
Home automation by Control4 relies on a mix of conventional electrical wiring, WiFi, and Zigbee mesh networking. This makes it a good choice for homes retrofitting a smart system, where minimally invasive work is required.
New builds have the luxury of a fresh start with wiring, so it may not be the best choice for creating home automation in a new home, depending on what’s required from the system.
We primarily use Savant for residential AV system control, much in the same way that Control4 works. Much like Loxone (which we like to pair it with), Savant smart systems can be backed up for if the power goes out, and don’t rely on the grid to function.
You can add additional functionality to Control4 and Savant systems by connecting them to other brands like Loxone. A home cinema could be controlled by Control4 or Savant (which we often choose for that job), with the cinema room itself powered by Loxone to create a fully immersive experience.
Control4 or Savant work very well as home automation systems if you have very specific ideas for how you want your home to function, and need multiple systems working in harmony to execute your vision.
We primarily use Savant for AV in new builds - mainly media rooms or home cinemas. Its capabilities do expand further, offering a complete energy management solution for homes.
Savant prides itself on allowing customers with its automation system installed to ‘live…life normally even when the grid is down.’ If you live somewhere where power outages occur often, Savant might be a good choice for you.
Get in contact early
If you’re thinking about installing a home automation system in your new build, installing it at first fix is the most important step for making sure you get the best from it. Whatever brand you go for, the infrastructure of the systems forms its backbone, and therefore dictates how it performs.
You can read about the hidden costs of putting off your smart home installation here.
If you need advice, give us a call on 028 3881 0102 or send an email to info@epitomeliving.com. We can help you make the right choice for your new build.