What KNX is and why it's not "just another smart home"

KNX is a global communication standard for building management, standardised internationally (in Europe, EN 50090). The key difference from consumer systems comes down to three things.

First, openness and independence from any manufacturer. More than 500 manufacturers worldwide produce certified KNX hardware, and the single programming tool ETS is the same for every project and every certified device — which guarantees reliable data exchange. You're not tied to a single vendor and can combine the best components from different brands in one system.

Second, durability. KNX has existed for more than thirty years, and an installation put in decades ago remains compatible with today's KNX devices. An installation can be extended or modified without redoing everything.

Third, it's real engineering, not a collection of gadgets. KNX is the "common language" and backbone of the building, linking all sensors and actuators into a single network where every device exchanges information with the others. A motion sensor can tell the hallway lighting actuator that someone has entered, or the room thermostat that it's unoccupied, so as to lower the temperature.

Our KNX services

SmartHaus Swiss covers the entire engineering cycle — from concept to post-handover support.

Design and concept development

It all starts with a specification: we record your wishes and the building's technical constraints, then develop a functional scheme — which sensors and actuators are needed, which logic functions to program and how the system elements interact. At this stage, we select the certified KNX hardware suited to the requirements.

Programming in ETS

The heart of any KNX project is programming in ETS, the standard's professional software. We work with the current ETS6 version (including the 6.4 line updates): creating the project, configuring physical addresses, group addresses and the parameters of all bus participants, and programming lighting, climate and blind-control scenarios.

Commissioning and testing

Before installation, we simulate the programmed scenarios and test the functions directly in ETS to identify and resolve issues in advance. After the hardware is installed on site, we carry out the connection, commissioning and precise adjustment of each function.

KNX Secure: data security

Modern projects demand protection. ETS6 supports KNX Data Secure and KNX IP Secure devices, as well as security functions for protected installations. For properties where privacy matters, solutions with local storage of the configuration, without mandatory cloud dependence, are possible — your data stays with you.

Optimisation and integration

We optimise existing systems and integrate the management of lighting, heating, ventilation, blinds, solar shading and energy into a single holistic scenario. Where needed, we add visual control panels and supervisors for a user-friendly interface.

Technical support

Our responsibility doesn't end at handover. We provide follow-up, control visits and system fine-tuning, as well as training: the client should fully master their installation.

Why KNX is especially relevant in Switzerland

KNX excels precisely where durability and energy efficiency are valued — that is, the Swiss market. Integrating the management of lighting, climate and solar shading into a single logic directly reduces consumption: lights switch off in empty rooms, heating drops when no one is present, blinds automatically regulate the inflow of heat and light. For the high-end residential and commercial property of Geneva and Lausanne, this is the combination of comfort, prestige and real savings. There's also an active KNX Suisse romande professional community, a sign of the standard's maturity in the region.

An essential point: KNX and electrics go together

A successful KNX project is impossible without coordination with the electrical work. Running the bus, placing actuators in the board, integration with the wiring — all of this must be planned with the electrician, and often with heating and blind specialists too. This is where our advantage lies: we carry out both the electrical work and the KNX programming, so the project doesn't fracture at the junction between two contractors. The automation is built in at the electrical stage, not "bolted on" afterwards.

Frequently asked questions

How is KNX better than a store-bought smart home?

KNX is an open global standard offering a guarantee of compatibility, durability and independence from a single manufacturer, whereas consumer systems are often closed and short-lived.

Can KNX be installed in a renovation, not just a new build?

Yes, KNX suits both new builds and renovations, though it's simpler to plan the bus routing during the works.

Does the system depend on the cloud and the internet?

Not necessarily. Solutions with local storage of the configuration, working without a permanent internet connection, are possible; the data stays under your control.

Can the system be expanded later?

Yes, one of KNX's key strengths is that an installation can be extended and modified without redoing everything.

Do you handle both the programming and the electrics?

Yes, we coordinate the electrical work and the KNX programming, which avoids problems at the junction between contractors.

KNX is an open standard whose implementation depends on the specific project, hardware and building. The exact scope of work and quote are determined after analysing the property and the specification.