Hadley Wood

Smart Home Technology for a stunning, modern and substantial home in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire

Located within the prestigious and peaceful area of Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire this stunning 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom villa benefits from the latest Smart Home technology throughout including integrated audio, internet, air conditioning, heating, lighting, security (including a biometric entry system) as well as such ‘green and eco friendly’ credentials including rainwater harvesting and water softening.

The house is also ‘future proofed’ ready for any updates or enhancements requested by present or future Clients.

The developers, who build prestigious luxury homes, are committed to perfection and are proud to report that the Smart Home Automation, based on the KNX protocol, has been found to reduce energy consumption in a home by over 50%. The comprehensive study was conducted by the Institute for Building and Energy Systems at Biberach University of Applied Science in Germany.

Planning and Implementation

The structure of the installation and the cabling for electrical powering of devices was centralised to a built in cupboard on the landing, with DIN rail devices placed in miniature circuit breaker boards and with sensors and detectors distributed throughout the home. This meant a reduction in the number of devices initially required, as well as a reduction in the amount of cabling needed to connect the whole system together.

Heating

The house is heated by water based underfloor heating throughout, in 10 individual heating zones. Each room is controlled independently using GIRA Sensor2Plus thermostatic light switches.

The KNX system works seamlessly to ensure a constant temperature in each room as required by the owner.

Also included in the software is the ability to automatically reduce the temperature in certain rooms when the house is empty or when the inhabitants have gone to bed for the night (via the HomeServer – see below). This can represent a big saving on fuel bills.

Lighting

The house has a total of 11 switched lighting circuits and 35 dimming circuits that are used to set lighting scenes in each room. Like any lighting control system, this allows for scenes to be set - for example, watching TV or having a dinner party etc.  Floor uplights, ceiling downlights, stairwell tread lights, wardrobe lights and bedside lamps are all controlled via the multi pushbutton switches in each room.

Next to each bedside a multi function switch has been installed so that the occupants can turn off lights without having to get out of bed.

The exterior of the home also has numerous lighting circuits which are controlled via the same pushbutton switches. A motion sensor has been installed outside to detect movement and will turn on the appropriate lighting – providing additional security. Garden lights, porch lights and gate releases are all controlled via the KNX functionality.

Audio

The house has an integrated audio system controlled via the KNX system and providing music in the Hallway, Living and Dining Rooms, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Study and 3 bedrooms. Music preferences and volume can be controlled using the same light switches that control the lighting and heating for that room.

Biometric Finger Print Access

The house has the latest in biometric finger print access for security – the Gira Video Door Entry with Biometric fingerprint entry scanner.

Gira Keyless In Fingerprint is based upon a biometric system and uses probably the oldest attribute for identification: the fingerprint. This is absolutely unique to each individual, a feature that together with the latest biometric identification process makes it unbeatable. The technology recognises a fingerprint with the deepest layers of skin, so that access functions reliably even with light skin soiling, small injuries to the skin surface or gradual change of skin structures due to age. Even children's fingerprints from approximately six years old upwards can be identified by the Gira Keyless Fingerprint, and when the finger grows and changes, the system learns and repeatedly stores the data.

Remote Access

The house functionality can be accessed via the internet from anywhere in the world using the GIRA HomeServer3 IP addressable controller.  With functions such as direct heating and lighting control, security monitoring, remote diagnostics, IP camera viewports and email transmissions for security breaches, activated smoke detectors, water leak detections (detectors fitted in the Kitchen and Utility rooms), the HomeServer3 system is the ultimate user friendly interface tool.

Another practical function of the Gira HomeServer 3 is the simulated occupancy function, where the house repeats previously recorded switch pushes at random intervals so that the house continues to look occupied when the owner is away.

What else is controlled via the light switches?

As well as heating and lighting (internal and external), pushbutton functionality has been provided for opening/closing the skylight in the kitchen, requesting additional Hot Water (gas and electric), a PANIC button by each bedside (when pressed at night, all the lights in the house will come on) and for turning the air conditioning on and off.

Bathroom heating and lighting are controlled by the Smart Home technology, as well as towel rails and extractor fans.

Conclusion

APH Ltd has worked closely with the Client to ensure all their wishes are continually met, and  have provided a complete and comprehensive home system for controlling lighting, heating, audio, and security. We have ensured that all equipment complements the surroundings and blends in seamlessly with the interior design.

The Clients are extremely pleased with the well-designed easy-to-use system that looks good and will be used on a daily basis by the new occupants.