KNX gateway, which is essential for controlling a smart home, is actually a common product that makes life easier even though it may seem like an industrial technology. The KNX gateway is a control system that has been in use for over 25 years. It provides an intensely user-friendly experience. Smart air conditioning systems also work via KNX gateway devices.
KNX gateways are an excellent solution not only for smart air conditioning systems but also for receiving feedback from other smart home systems and gaining complete control over these technologies. A separate KNX gateway is required for the control of smart air conditioning systems, as well as a separate KNX gateway for overall house management (including building control systems).
What Are the Effects of KNX Gateways on Air Conditioning Systems?
The KNX gateways for air conditioners use the existing air conditioner to control all heating, ventilation, and air conditioning processes. Particularly demand-based controllers make a significant contribution to energy savings in buildings.
The data determined by heating and cooling generators and individual room thermostats via KNX is stored in local memory and in the cloud as values, diagrams, or graphics by visualization systems. These data are archived for future evaluation. This evaluation provides the following controls and the results are sent by email or as an error signal:
- Whether or not the limit values (the minimum and maximum values that can cause problems) have been exceeded,
- Triggered actions linked to events, situations, and time,
- Push (system feedback) messages.
KNX web services can be used if the user wants to access data automatically over the internet. A KNX gateway displays the KNX project. As a result, the data can be accessed using existing web service applications such as OBIX, OPC UA, and BACnet-WS without understanding the features of the KNX protocol. The KNX web service can be run correspondingly with the visualization system. It is not displayed in applications due to ease of clarity. That’s why it’s a quite useful system.
Energy Saving with KNX Gateways for Air Conditioners
Climate change and ever-depleting resources mean efficient energy use is a major social issue. Buildings make up 40% of total energy consumption. According to EN 15232, KNX meets the requirements of the top energy performance class for the automation of structures/objects that need automatic control, such as buildings. This means that the KNX gateway is ideal for meeting stricter energy consumption obligations customizes for buildings and air conditioning systems. The KNX gateways for air conditioners save up to 50% energy in ACs.
The global KNX standard provides the best prerequisites needed to improve energy efficiency in air conditioners. System integrators can select the best KNX gateway device for energy saving for use in approximately 7,000 certified products from over 225 international manufacturers. Thus, interconnected energy and building management systems are created during the operation, which enables the control, regulation, and monitoring of energy flow based on demand. These applications are very efficient due to net savings in energy costs. Energy-saving measures almost always pay for themselves right away.
Advantages of Smart Air Conditioners
One of the most significant disadvantages of a non-smart HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is the necessity to be present to set the thermostat to a temperature that will not increase costs. If you can’t find a neighbor, a family member, or a staff member to adjust the thermostat during your long trips, you may receive a pretty high electricity bill in your mailbox.
The remote control is one of the biggest advantages of smart air conditioning because it allows controlling the temperature of the system from anywhere in the world rather than manually. In addition, smart air conditioning systems can be programmed as desired, in accordance with the current schedule and lifestyle.
With smart air conditioning systems, it is possible to heat or cool the house to the desired temperature, set a range, and leave control to the air conditioner, as a result, save energy. Although the advantages of smart air conditioners vary, they all make life easier, reduce spending, save time and energy, have a remote control, be simple to use, and so on.
You can have these advantages by purchasing a smart air conditioner or by converting your standard air conditioner into a smart one with a KNX gateway. For more detailed information about KNX gateways and smart home automation standards, have a glance at our article titled ‘What is KNX? Smart Home Automation Standards‘.
Disadvantages of Smart Air Conditioners
Before making any decisions about a smart air conditioning and cooling technology product, there are some drawbacks to consider. The following are some of the disadvantages of smart air conditioners:
More expensive than standard air conditioners: Smart air conditioning systems, which are relatively new to the market, are expensive. The cost of smart air conditioners varies depending on whether they are wall-mounted, window-mounted, or portable. Even the size of the air conditioner plays a role in determining the price.
Multiple unit requirement: These air conditioners do not operate centrally. Therefore, multiple units are required to cool the entire house or office.
Installation: Smart air conditioning systems are difficult to install and require professional support. This difficulty level may increase depending on the system type selected. This factor increases the cost of installation. Furthermore, these systems take up a lot of space in the house.
Difference Between Smart Air Conditioners and Standard Air Conditioners
The main difference between smart and standard air conditioners is that the thermostat can be adjusted whether manually on the device or remotely via smartphone, tablet, computer, or a smart controller. Remote control reduces wear and tear in the air conditioning unit and extends its life longer. This is because the air conditioner only works when necessary to maintain the ideal ambient temperature and switches to standby mode when not. This saves energy as well.
As kbox, we are pleased to present you the world’s first KNX gateway for air conditioners, that transmits real-time data via TB15 port. Get in touch with us now to learn more about kbox smart air conditioning systems and KNX technologies!