SPHERA: KNX for LEED v4 Platinum certified project in Costa Rica

Commercial project in San José, Costa Rica

Project category Commercial
Project type Renovation project
Year of completion 2016
Size of project(m2) 101 – 500
Number of KNX devices used 1 – 25
KNX brands Show/hide
KNX Transmission media
Twisted pair
Man hours 1 – 100
Man power 1 – 5
Products that carry the KNX logo are a confirmation of high product quality, these products will communicate perfectly together and I didn't have to worry about working with inferior material.

Project characteristics

This diagram shows the level of energy efficiency, innovation and ease of use in the project. The main characteristic is displayed in the centre.

Applications used

The icons marked in blue are the applications used in this project via KNX.

Lighting
Heating, Ventilation & Air conditioning (HVAC)
Blind and Shutter Control
Security and Safety
Operation and Visualisation
Automation and Remote Access
Energy Management/Smart Metering
Other

Detailed description

Energy Efficiency

The usage of automated functions already save energy in every installation. Especially the usage of KNX has a lot of potential for further energy savings, which can contribute to a better environmental footprint. Be extending KNX to more functions and applications, energy savings of up to 60% can be realised. Thanks to the flexibility of KNX, these functions can easily be implemented in this installation

Innovation

Smart homes and buildings are always an upgrade in comparison to a conventional installation. Not only automated functions and a higher level of comfort contribute to a higher living standard, but also the possibility to be ready for coming innovations. Thanks to the usage of KNX, the door has been opened to integrate new innovative solutions, using the worldwide STANDARD for home and building control.

Ease of Use

By integrating KNX, we automatically experience a higher energy efficiency and comfort. Furthermore, by the possibility to use further devices, in order to make the usage of the project easier, we can look at further opportunity to even make the whole installation easier in usage.

Applications used

  • Lighting: Switching , Dimming , Timed Control , Automatic Occupancy Detection , Constant Light Control
  • Heating, Ventilation & Air conditioning (HVAC): Automatic Occupancy Detection , CO2 / Humidity Measuring , Natural Ventilation
  • Operation and Visualisation: Switches / Push Buttons , PC Visualisation , Web Servers , Tablets and smart phones
  • Automation and Remote Access: Timed Functions , System Supervision , Internet Access , Remote Programming
  • Energy Management/Smart Metering: Metering , Data Logging , Visualisation , Current Detection , Peak Demand Monitoring

Customer's description

The office of the firm SPHERA Sustainability Consulting is a clear example that, regardless the size, actions can be implemented in the search for sustainability. A prove of that is that it became the first project in Central and South America to obtain the LEED v4 Platinum certification, the highest possible. The use of the KNX protocol in this project, proves that the conjunction between open standards with a widely spread certification, such as LEED, can impact in markets traditionally dominated by proprietary systems.

Contact information

Company name Building Innovation Systems
Company email jbrenes@bisprojects.com
Company website http://www.bisprojects.com
Contact name Javier Brenes
Contact function System Integrator