KNX is a protocol for control of your home, it includes lighting, heating, blinds and much more.Products from many different manufacturers are guaranteed to 'talk' to each other using the language of KNX, to perform different tasks.  It is like the Internet of things – for buildings.KNX is an open system, developed in 1990 with more than 420 manufacturers making products that comply to the standard.In 2018 KNX became the standard for home automation in New Zealand and Australia following 30 other countries. It is the only system that complies with the requirements of the European (EN50090) and the International (ISO/IEC 14543) standards for Home Automation. This conformity confirms the quality and value of the KNX technology. It serves as a token of quality for building owners and it is already prepared for next-Generation products.Our favourite functions to control with KNXLighting for lifeLighting control including dimming, colour changing, colour temperature and show control is easy with KNX and it can all be managed from simple scenes.Even simpler is to use sensors allowing movement and lights to work in harmony. It is even possible to have different responses based on the time of day perfect for children who wake in the night.When no-one is at home the lighting can follow the normal routine making the house more secure and looking occupied, giving piece of mind when owners are away.Your view on the worldMake the most of the view by opening curtains in the morning and closing them as the day ends to make a cozy environment.The blinds and windows can also be used to automatically manage solar gain in a room making the house more comfortable and energy efficient. When integrated into the wider home control safety functions can be realised simply by insuring windows and blinds are closed when the wind picks up.With wired control there are no batteries and remote controls to lose. Beautiful designer switches, intelligent technologyAn extensive range of stylish switches that are simple and easy to use. From simple and familiar, to switches designed by people who care about making beautiful things as well as effective products.Because the KNX system controls so many aspects of the home you will need less keypads and switches on the wall ensuring the interior design isn't compromised.You can even match the socket and other wiring accessories to create a seamless electrical installation.Going off grid with sustainable energyMonitoring and supervisory control of energy sources including sustainable sources such as solar means the consumption of energy can be optimised. When combined with consumption control you can ensure that systems requiring large amount of energy, like hot water tanks or swimming pools, are regulated to make the most of sustainable sources.Staying comfortableKNX is ideal for controlling all types of heating/cooling i.e. radiators, hydronic underfloor, air conditioning from all major manufacturers, forced air, air circulation fans and dampers. It was designed from the start to handle complex heating systems and does this with intelligence to ensure set points are met accurately and with the least energy possible.Even when rooms have multiple sources of heat, KNX can easily manage both ensuring the room temperature is maintained in the most comfortable, energy efficient way but can still respond quickly to sudden temperature changes.Wet and warmNative KNX controllers can be implemented to control all the variables of the pool, like chemical introductions or heatpump control.Even when you have a standalone pool, control systems KNX can still be used to monitor the water quality and temperature notifying you immediately if there are any issues.Use a system interface to start your Sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi remotely so they are at the perfect temperature when you get to the pool area. Wine cellarWine needs looking after carefully. Temperature and air quality sensors allow for easy control and monitoring of wine cellars and other environments.Take a look at the building from anywhereBuilding management software with different pages for users, administrators, and guests will make interacting with the system simple, quick and easy.Pages with floor layouts can be created and all the functions in the room made easily available, either on portable devices or wall mounted screens. This can then be accesed remotely from mobile devices (iOS or Android) so you can always see what is going on at home. Notifications can make sure you will be the first to know if there are any issues in the building, from a window that is left open to a leak in the water system.Voice controlIntegration with Siri, Alexa and other voice activated systems is available now making the system even simpler and easier to use.Control of guest areasSet up and control guest suites or attached buildings so they can be put into standby or occupied mode with single instruction.  Once in occupied mode the local control of heating and lighting is easy to implement.KNX compliant products and solutions present demonstrable difference and advantage from other systems and protocols. Below are some of the key points:KNX is Non-proprietary - All products labeled with the KNX trademark comply with international standards including IEC/ISO 14543-3 that defines interoperability between products.  All KNX products are configured using a common tool, ETS, allowing a single configuration file to be delivered to the building owner, allowing the system to be updated/ upgraded, by any installer with the configuration tool, at any time in the future.KNX is the platform of a distributed environmental control system for buildings that includes functions of lighting control, HVAC control, Air quality control and many others. Critical system such as lighting are controlled by a robust, resilient network of distributed components with no single point of failure.KNX is an open protocol with products available from 420+ manufacturers. It may be thought of as the 'Internet of things' for buildings and is so heavily invested in, and proven, that the technology is installed in over 60% of all new commercial buildings in Europe and has been adopted as the regional standard in many countries including USA, China, UAE . Environmental building control solutions using KNX have been delivered for 26 years.KNX has been selected as the mission critical control system for many thousands of projects worldwide, which include: homes, airports, hospitals, hotels, banks, and offices. See www.knx.org for a wide range of reference sites.KNX is often required to communicate with the building BMS or AV system.  Depending on the system, KNX may communicate directly with an embedded IP driver, or through gateways with protocols such as BACNet/IP.  KNX has developed and evolved with emerging technology trends. Manufacturers regularly release new products to keep pace with technology and regulation – for example, the recent trend towards ‘tunable white’ lighting control has been adopted by a number of KNX manufacturers.A KNX system is expandable and adjustable during the lifetime of the building by anyone with the ETS configuration file, so is not locked to one installer.KNX integration and programming time is efficient – saving costs of commissioningKNX modules take less space in distribution boards than most other systems – saving costs of 'real estate' and hardwareWhere KNX controls multiple functions in a building one product may be selected to perform multiple functions. For instance a motion sensor for lighting control may also be used for occupancy based heating, and, contain a brightness sensor for blind control, and a thermostat which forms part of the heating function. So a single device is highly versatile and cost effective.KNX is attractively priced compared to other systems with comparative products and functions. KNX manufacturers compete in the market with technical differences as well as prices. This is possible due to the open nature of the platform.With all this in mind, and the fact that KNX is an established platform for environmental control of buildings that delivers real integration of everything that is electrically supplied in the building, we can simplify buildings.  Just like we expect to get in any new car we buy, these functions are what should be expected in any well designed modern building.Below are some of the functions that are commonly controlled, monitored.Lighting for lifeLighting control including dimming, colour changing and show control.  From simple on/off to smooth lighting scenes, you’ll find KNX makes it all simple every time.Careful positioning of sensors can make movement and lights work in harmony.  Different levels at day and nightSecurity functions for making the house look occupied when owners are away.Your view on the worldWindows and curtains that are open for you to enjoy the view, and close as the day ends to make a cozy environment.Local, timed and environmental/ safety control of blinds and windows.  Easy to control internal or external louvres, sun protection and fly screens.The blinds and windows are also an important method for automatically managing solar gain in a room.Works with all types of wired blind motors – no batteries or remote controls to lose.Beautiful designer switches, intelligent technologyA range of switches with easy to use functions that make living and using the house easier and better than a traditionally wired house.From simple and familiar, to switches designed by people who care about making beautiful things as well as effective.Going off grid with Sustainable energyMonitoring and supervisory control of energy sources including sustainable sources such as solar.Monitoring electrical supply to the building from Grid and local sources. Allowing the loads, like hot water tanks or swimming pool to be regulated to make the most of sustainable sources.Control and monitoring of geothermal energy production.  Measuring water temperature and the energy production from the source in conjunction with the visualization software. Staying comfortableHeating, ventilation and Air Conditioning- HVACKNX is ideal for controlling multiple sources and types of heating/ cooling – hydronic underfloor; heat pumps from all major manufacturers; Forced air; air circulation fans and dampers . KNX has been designed from the start to handle complex heating systems.Ready for future vehiclesAs KNX is an evolving protocol more then one of the current manufacturers are concerned with EV chargers for cars, carts or scooters.Wet and warmPools and spas can be monitored for example for temperature or pH.  Native KNX controllers can be implemented to control all the variables of the pool, like chemical introductions or heatpump controlInterface with the Steam room control system so the steam room can be turned on remotely Wine cellarWine needs looking after carefully. Temperature and air quality sensors allow for easy control an monitoring of wine cellars and other environments.Take a look at the building from anywhereBuilding management software with pages for users, building services manager, and/ or guests.Pages with floor layouts may be created and all the functions in the room made easily available either on portable devices or wall mounted screens.Remote access to the system from mobile device (iOs or Android) easy to implement.“Hello Siri”Integration with Siri and other voice activated systems is available now.Lodge requirementsSetup and control of guest lodge so they can be put into standby or occupied mode with single instruction.  Once in occupied mode the local control of heating and lighting is easy to implement.