Improving a KNX smart home experience with Daikin AC integration

Project overview

Casa Polo is a residence located in Rosario, a city in the south of the province of Santa Fe, Argentina. This home previously had a completely independent Daikin VRV system, with no integration into the property's other automation functions.

The project was to create a holistic solution based on KNX technology, incorporating the HVAC to the existing platform, and combining air conditioning monitoring and control with the other existing devices and services: lighting control, blind automation, presence and motion sensors, thermostats for underfloor heating and HVAC systems, and multifunction keypads, push-buttons, and touchscreens for monitoring and control.

The broad compatibility of Intesis gateways with proprietary HVAC protocols from leading manufacturers, combined with their stable and reliable communication, makes them a solid choice for professional KNX automation projects.

Federico Giana - Founder & CTO

Why Intesis was chosen

Intesis was selected for its proven experience in developing HVAC integration gateways, the reliability of its solutions, and the simplicity of configuration through ETS. In particular, the Intesis INKNXDAI001R000 gateway was chosen for this project due to its native compatibility with Daikin VRV systems and direct integration with the KNX standard. The solution provided all the functionality required for the project, ensuring stable bidirectional communication and efficient implementation within the planned building automation architecture.

Technical solution using Intesis

Almost twenty Intesis INKNXDAI001R000 gateways were installed in this state-of-the-art house. The installation process was straightforward. The gateways were located next to the indoor units, which simplified wiring, connections, and system start-up. No external power supply was needed, as the gateway draws its power directly from the KNX bus.

Integration via Intesis enabled two-way communication between the KNX system and Daikin equipment, allowing for full control and monitoring of the HVAC units. This made it possible to manage parameters such as operating mode, operational status, temperature setpoints, fan speeds, alarms, and error codes, directly from the KNX platform. The result was a unified operating experience and enhanced system diagnostic capabilities.

The configuration process with the ETS tool was intuitive and fast, and commissioning was completed without issues, highlighting the solution's robust communication and operational stability in use.

About Levint Partners

With a strong background in commercial and residential building automation, Levint Partners offers consulting, design, and implementation services for smart home and building automation projects, as well as the modernization of intelligent building control systems. Specializing in KNX and BMS, the company integrates HVAC, lighting, fire detection, structured cabling, and CCTV, and other systems to deliver secure, comfortable, reliable, and energy efficient solutions.

About Intesis

Intesis, the Building Automation division of HMS Networks, is a globally recognized provider of HVAC gateways and protocol converter gateways. With more than two decades of experience, Intesis enables interoperability between devices and systems, helping integrators, installers, and building owners connect devices across major industry protocols, including KNX, BACnet, Modbus, OCPP, DALI, MQTT, PROFINET, EtherNet/IP, and proprietary HVAC protocols.