Tips: Handover and Supporting a Project
By Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg. We are nearing the end of this series looking at the different stages of a project. It is now time to discuss the last stage – finishing the project. This is one of the most critical stages of the entire project and if completed correctly, can ensure the success of […]
KNX, Big Data and IoT – Linking IoT and big data to the built environment
By Paul Foulkes, EchoHouse. Almost everyone is talking about the Internet of Things (IoT) and data, particularly ‘big data’. I am no expert in this area, but what is evident is that the data people want to see originates in the built environment and has to be extracted. But data alone is useless. Data collection, […]
Trade Talk: Why Developers Need an Integration Specialist
By Simon Buddle, Future Ready Homes. I’ve been asked many times over the years, ‘How do you sell integrated systems?’ and I’ve always answered, ‘I have no idea – I’m an engineer, not a salesman’. I tend to work from the technical angle and build a solution for the client’s needs, in the same way […]
Tips: Troubleshooting After the First Switch On
By Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg. If you have been following my previous articles on how to sell KNX, how to specify KNX, how to choose the right products and documentation, and how to start installing products and commissioning, you now need to be prepared for troubleshooting any problems. Getting a project working on site is […]
Advice for Architects, Designers and Building Planners: Prepare for Care
By Paul Foulkes, EchoHouse. In my last article I looked at KNX and Passivhaus. This was a direct view of saving energy in buildings by using Passivhaus techniques to reduce the heat load and improve thermal comfort, and using KNX to help regulate, monitor and control the remaining active elements of the building. But energy […]
Trade Talk: Why using KNX for Centralised Services and Billing Makes Sense
By Simon Buddle, Future Ready Homes. A couple of months ago, a man from Thames Water (our water supply company) arrived at the flat to fit a water meter to the incoming main feed. When it comes to tradespeople, my tip is to always make them a hot drink. They will usually be in less […]
Tips: Commissioning and Installation
By Mark Warburton, Ivory Egg. If you have been following my previous articles on how to sell KNX, how to specify KNX and how to choose the right products and documentation, you will know that is has taken three months to get here, but it is finally time to start installing products and commissioning! Hopefully, […]
Advice for Architects, Designers and Building Planners: Are Passivhaus and KNX Cut from the Same Cloth?
By Paul Foulkes, EchoHouse. The Passivhaus movement has grown from a desire to lower energy consumption and create better buildings. Passivhaus buildings are designed to provide a high level of comfort while using very little energy for heating and cooling. They are built according to principles developed by the Passivhaus Institute in Germany, and can […]
Show Report: KNX Messages and Developments from Light+Buiding 2016
By George Lazos, Quantum KNX++ Training Centre. This year Light+Building (Frankfurt, 13-18 March) managed to score a new record of 2,589 exhibitors from 55 countries and a total of 216,000 trade visitors from 160 countries, all looking for innovative products, solutions and new business opportunities. Visiting the fair, especially for L+B newbies, is a life-changing […]
Trade Talk: The Smart Home Jigsaw
By Simon Buddle, Future Ready Homes. We live in a time when the terms ‘smart home’ and ‘connected home’ are freely dropped into conversation. Indeed the word ‘smart’ seems to be ubiquitous in current marketing parlance; I had a bottle of ‘smart’ water just the other day. Really? I mean, come on! Anyway, before we […]