As well as the interactive keypads located
throughout the property, all widgets on
the touch screen can be accessed on the
family’s smart devices via the Equinox
app. This provides the exact same level of
control as the wall-mounted keypad, but
from remote locations both in the home, and
when away from the property.
Neil to schedule and control set temperature
points. Easy to install, the WireLink
Thermostat Interface provides bi-directional
communication between the Vantage
InFusion devices and the Communicating
Programmable Thermostat connected the
farmhouse’s central heating system. The
whole network can be easily configured via
the InFusion Design Center software and
requires no additional programming. Due
to the flexibility of the InFusion system bus
architecture, the network can be expanded
to include multiple thermostats throughout
the property if desired.
Neil continues: “In essence, the whole
house can be configured from a central
control panel. For example, if we are out
but the cleaner is due to visit, a button can
be pressed that will light-up all the rooms
that need to be cleaned that day. Once the
cleaner has finished, the same button can be
pressed and the rooms will be switched off.
“Likewise, when we’re on holiday the house
is configured to mirror and replay lighting
functions to give the impression of normal
occupancy. The program can of course be
remotely tailored via the app as well. This
function is a particularly useful selling point
for my own security-conscious customers
who do not want to advertise that their
property is vacant.”
COMPLETE CONTROL
The ability to replay lighting sequences is by
no means the only intelligent lighting control
function Vantage can facilitate. In theory, a
light switch need not ever be pressed at all,
as the farmhouse’s latitude and longitude
details have been inputted into the system,
meaning lights can be programmed to
switch off or on to coincide with sunrise
and sunset. The house can then adapt
throughout the year to mirror the changing
seasons.
The farmhouse’s lighting control system
is also complemented by a range of wiring
accessories from Legrand’s Arteor range
to match the sleek aesthetic finish of the
LIFE LESSONS
Vantage Equinox touch screens located
throughout the property.
The entire lighting control system – 70
circuits in total – feeds into a central
lighting board installed in the farmhouse’s
loft space. The Vantage InFusion DIN II
controller offers increased processing
speed, RAM and flash memory to deliver
delay free control to large systems. What’s
more, it also gives Neil and his family scope
to easily add further lighting circuits to the
property if required.
Connected climate control is also achieved
through the Vantage InFusion Comfort
operating system, comprising of the Vantage
Communicating Thermostat and Remote
Temperature Sensor. Not only does this
offer potential energy savings, but it allows
Having lived in Pedley Farm for over six
months, Neil has garnered an in-depth
understanding of how to fine-tune the home
automation system to best complement
everyday living. He concludes: “Ultimately
the biggest challenge installers face is
getting potential customers to overcome the
‘fear factor’ that is sometimes associated
with home automation systems. To generate
real buy-in, the technology must be easy to
use and enhance rather than hinder everyday
life. As both a home automation installer
and user, I can safely say the Vantage range
from Legrand is both straightforward to
install and highly intuitive to use. Ultimately, I
wouldn’t want to sell a system to customers
that I wouldn’t be comfortable to use in
my own home. It has helped breathe fresh
life into a 300-year old farm house, so the
possibilities really are endless.”
For more information on Legrand’s range
of home automation solutions, please visit:
https://www.legrand.co.uk/products/wiring-
devices/home-automation.
www.legrand.co.uk
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