Integrating LG HVAC System in a Luxury KNX residence

Project overview

Nominated for the Smart Home Award - Africa, America & Australia category of the KNX Awards 2026, this luxury residence in Panama City is an example of how open building automation can create a future-ready living environment.

Understanding the value of long-term technology investments, the construction company was committed to ensuring that this home would not become obsolete in just a few years. Based on this premise, CODAX designed a KNX-based solution as the core platform for its smart home strategy because of its openness, scalability, and ability to evolve alongside new technologies and changing requirements.

The objective was not simply to automate individual functions, but to provide centralized monitoring and control of key home systems while maximizing comfort, energy efficiency, and operational flexibility. A key part of the project was integrating the air conditioning system into the KNX platform. The goal was not only to maintain a comfortable indoor environment for the residents, but also to better manage energy consumption, as air conditioning is typically one of the home's most energy-demanding systems.

Air conditioning is no longer an independent subsystem controlled only by its own remote controls. Instead, it has become an active part of the entire residence automation strategy.

Martin Boehringer - CEO and Founder

Technical solution using Intesis

Since all LG indoor units were already connected through the same VRF communication bus, installing a dedicated KNX gateway for each unit would have added unnecessary hardware, wiring, and commissioning effort. To avoid this, CODAX selected the Intesis INKNXLGE016O000 centralized LG VRF to KNX gateway, which enables the integration of up to sixteen indoor units into the KNX system through a single communication point. This approach reduced hardware requirements, simplified installation and maintenance, and provided a cleaner and more scalable system architecture. In addition, this gateway includes automatic AC units scanning and diagnostic functions within its configuration tool MAPS, simplifying system setup and accelerating commissioning.

Once connected to KNX, the HVAC system became part of the home’s overall automation strategy rather than operating as a standalone subsystem. Room controllers could manage temperature setpoints and operating modes, while centralized visualizations provided a complete view of HVAC operation throughout the residence. KNX logic also enabled coordination between air conditioning, lighting, shading, and other building functions. Altogether, this provided a consistent user experience across the entire residence.

This kind of integration is particularly valuable in residential projects where climate control must respond to factors such as occupancy, solar gain, or window status, helping maintain comfort while supporting energy-efficient operation.

Why Intesis was chosen

Intesis was selected because it offers a dedicated and proven communication gateway that enables communication between the proprietary LG VRF protocol and KNX, allowing multiple indoor units to be integrated through a centralized architecture while maintaining bidirectional communication between both systems.

The gateway offers the option of keeping local room control, thus giving occupants access to temperature setpoints and operating modes while making HVAC data available within the KNX system. Centralized visualization and control functions provide a complete overview of HVAC operation throughout the residence, while KNX logic coordinates climate control with other building systems. This is particularly valuable when HVAC operation depends on factors such as occupancy, window status, lighting, or solar shading.

From an engineering and maintenance perspective, this centralized approach also simplifies commissioning, diagnostics, and future servicing. Rather than troubleshooting multiple KNX interfaces distributed throughout the residence, technicians can monitor and manage HVAC integration through a limited number of centralized communication points.

About Codax Int.

Specialized in advanced building automation, Codax International Panama Corp. is an experienced KNX system integrator that designs and implements intelligent living environments combining comfort, efficiency, and long-term scalability. Customers and industry professionals can visit its showroom in Panama City to explore the practical advantages of KNX-based solutions in a real-world environment.

About Intesis

Intesis, the Building Automation division of HMS Networks, is a globally recognized provider of HVAC integration 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.