Case studies

KNX Products Control Mallards - a Large Private Residence (1/5/2008)

Mallards is a large private residence built in Surrey. It features traditional building techniques, but was designed with a modern approach. Following a commission by the owner, Light tech Ltd and GES Digital, both KNX systems integrators and members of the KNX UK association, provided a fully integrated KNX building control system to meet the needs of a residence of this size and quality, as well as being easily adaptable and extendable to suit future building control requirements.

The exterior of Mallards

Planning

The homeowner wanted to control all aspects of building services, simply and with total confidence. Mallards has a long list of amenities including three reception rooms, a large kitchen with a sizeable breakfast area and integrated sun room, study, utility area and interconnecting corridors with vaulted ceilings. There is a large grand central staircase with domed ceiling leading upstairs to six bedrooms and a large family bathroom.

Various building control systems available were examined and the KNX system was specified for its flexibility, durabilty and ability to control building services in the most energy efficient way.

Installation

A KNX system with stainless steel switches, room controllers and accessories was chosen and installed to provide complete control of the property encompassing all elements of Mallards' internal and external lighting system, curtain and blinds, central heating, hot water systems and the property's security system which has also been interfaced with the lighting.

To control lighting in the reception, family rooms, hallways, stairwells and bedrooms, scene setting has been employed. This allows levels to be set for each light fitting within a room, and these are contolled via four dedicated buttons at the entrance to each room. To save energy, presence detectors are used to switch off lighting in the kitchen and breakfast room after activity has ceased for more than five minutes. Externally, movement sensors are used to raise lighting levels from dimmed presets.

Presence detectors are used to switch off lighting in the kitchen and breakfast room after activity has ceased for more than five minutes

For enhanced comfort and security, five sets of curtains and blinds are also controlled by the KNX system. The system allows for all curtains and blinds to shut when a pre-set light level is reached outside at dusk, and then automatically re-opened at an individually programmed time for each room in the morning.

To save heating energy, an underfloor heating loop has been included that individually monitors and controls heating levels. Underfloor heating reacts slowly, so it was important to regulate and control the temperatures accurately. By using controlled valves for each zone, the amount of water passed to a room can be controlled from 0% to 100% in an accurate curve which means at a lower required gain, a lower volume of water is used, thus saving on boiler time and related costs.

All of the individual KNX room controls are integrated into one unit that carries out scene selection for lighting, room control of the curtains, temperature measurement with display, and set point alteration.

Wall-mounted KNX controller that controls scene selection for lighting, room control of the curtains, temperature measurement with display, and set point alteration.

Benefits

For the client, the KNX installation has many benefits. Control of all the lighting obviates the need for individual day-to-day adjustments. Pre-sets can be quickly and easily recalled. Presence detectors and external movement sensors both save energy and provide added levels of security. The underfloor heating loop allows the heating to be regulated, controlled and monitored accurately,and means that unnecessary use of heating boilers is prevented. The integration of all individual room controls into one unit for lighting, blinds, curtains temperature measurements eliminate the need for multible units on walls.

Equipment List

- Dimmed and switched lighting circuits
- Compact fluorescent fittings
- Other light sources
- Presence detectors
- Underfloor heating loop
- Programmable controllers
- Room controller with thermostat
- KNX room control units
- Light sensors

This case study was provided by KNX UK. KNX UK promotes KNX products and services that are available from its member companies in the UK.

www.knxuk.org