Smart Homes Technology for a Traditional Stone Farmhouse in Somerset

Set in a peaceful location in a prime countryside setting in Somerset, this traditional stone farmhouse was completely rebuilt for the Client and his family - who enjoy entertaining and for whom home and family life is very important.

The house consists of a traditional large family kitchen with utility room, larder, drawing room, study, family room/cinema room and dining room on the ground floor, four bedrooms & four bathrooms on the first floor and two bedrooms and a further bathroom on the second floor. The house sits on over an acre of beautifully landscaped gardens.

The Brief

APH Ltd were involved with the build from the very early stages and as such could take time to discuss and fully understand the Client’s needs, which were:

1. To provide a complete and comprehensive Smart Homes System for the control of lighting, heating, audio, cinema and a full security interface.

2. To ensure that all materials used complemented the surroundings and blended in seamlessly with the architecture and interior design. Simple, efficient and stylish, enhancing the life of everyone who lives in and visits their home.

3. The solution had to be of the highest quality, reliable and easy to use for all.

Planning and Implementation

As well as controlling the lighting, heating etc. the Client wanted the Smart Home system to interact with the various third party systems installed such as:

• the back up generator (supplied and installed by APH Ltd).

• the under floor heating and manifold stirring pumps.

• the intruder security system.

• the smoke and fire detectors.

• the solar heating panels.

• the primary heating system which is a ground source heat pump (GSHP).

APH Ltd liaised with all the relevant Companies to ensure that they were comfortable with the link between KNX Smart Homes control  platform and their own systems ensuring that the installations ran smoothly.

Lighting Control

53 switched channels and 51 dimming channels allow for mood lighting in each room. Ceiling downlights, wall lights and table lamps are controlled using GIRA Esprit multi pushbutton switches. Two bedrooms have wireless bedside switches, so that they can be positioned next to the bed in whatever location is decided by the Client.

Scenes are set and controlled via a GIRA HomeServer3  overall controller. Movement sensors have been incorporated in less frequently used rooms such as the larder and store cupboards.

Externally, lighting is be controlled via light switches in the house and also by several Watchdog movement detectors located on the external walls of the property, providing peace of mind and additional security features.

Heating

With flagstone floors in most of the ground floor rooms, oak floors in others and carpet in the bedrooms, hot water under floor heating was the perfect solution. The various zones are controlled independently using GIRA Sensor2Plus thermostatic light switches. Bathrooms also have dual fuel radiators, with the electrical heating element also controlled using KNX.

Audio

The house has a fully integrated WHD Audio Multiroom system installed which allows the family to listen to music (from various sources) in a number of rooms.

As well as a remote control handset, the system is accessed via a control panel within the light switch in each room that has audio functionality.

Remote Access

Using the Gira Homeserver3 IP addressable controller the Client can access the functionality of the house from anywhere in the world. He can therefore control heating, lighting, security monitoring and the likes whilst away from home.

Additional features

Because of the way the house is wired using KNX, it has been possible to provide future contingency for additions such as an Orangery and a Tennis Court.

Solar hot water heating panels have since been added to the property and these too interface with the KNX environment. GIRA HomeServer3 allows the Client to check the temperature in the main domestic hot water tanks and see the impact that the solar panels are having at any given time of the day.

All the light switches in the house have the Gira Mint Glass light switch surround. To complete the look, all 13 Amp sockets and 3 pin plug sockets (for lamps) have been given the same finish.

Conclusion

The Client is very pleased with the way everything is running and is happy in the knowledge that any tweaks, updates or alterations are easily dealt with by liaising with APH Ltd. This makes the installation completely future proof.

Want to know more, then get in touch today.