And older manually operated VELUX roof windows can be transformed into smart ones

A healthy lifestyle can also include relaxation, especially when you have smart control of VELUX roof windows at home with VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO. Sensors monitor the amount of light, warmth, and clean air (CO²) in the interior, and based on the evaluated data, the roof windows with the VELUX ACTIVE system automatically open, close, and shade. Of course, each window individually and taking into account the online forecast and actual weather conditions. And you don't have to lift a finger, unless you want to check or change the settings about the indoor environment's status on your phone with a touch of your finger. VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO is the first and still the only system for automatic control of roof windows, blinds, and shades using sensors and a mobile app in our country. It doesn't matter if you don't have new remote-controlled roof windows VELUX INTEGRA®; even older manually operated VELUX roof windows can be retrofitted with electric or solar drive and subsequently controlled with the intelligent VELUX ACTIVE system. More at www.velux.cz

Thanks to collaboration with NETATMO, a company developing smart home management systems including weather stations, VELUX ACTIVE can work with online forecasts and real weather conditions - it can flexibly ventilate in anticipation of an approaching storm or wind, postpone ventilation in extreme heat, or draw the shades at a specific hour if you want to be awakened by sunlight in the morning. And if a sudden downpour happens, the roof window with the VELUX ACTIVE system automatically closes based on the mechanical impulse of falling drops, which takes precedence over electronic control.

VELUX ACTIVE can tune into your daily rhythm

An important feature of the VELUX ACTIVE system is its ability to learn. The system analyzes and processes daily activities to better understand when you are used to getting up, ventilating, and what temperature you prefer at home. Therefore, it can better adapt to the operation of each household. Based on this detailed input information and connection to the NETATMO network, which provides the system with information about weather developments, VELUX ACTIVE is very effective in deciding when and how intensively to ventilate or shade.

“VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO is the result of the combination of two great technologies: high-quality VELUX roof windows and Netatmo's know-how in creating simple and useful products and applications. Thanks to automated opening, closing, and shading of roof windows, you achieve significantly better interior climate. We have created a solution based on smart sensors that is not only reliable and easy to use but also beneficial for the user's healthy life,” says VELUX product manager Ivo Pavlík.

VELUX ACTIVE allows control via sensors, smartphone, and manually

VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO consists of three components – a sensor, a gateway, and a central switch – and is compatible with all electric VELUX INTEGRA® products and manually operated roof windows equipped with electric or solar drive. The sensor placed in the room where the roof window is installed measures CO², humidity, and temperature while also monitoring weather data from online services. Advanced algorithms are embedded in the sensors, activating ventilation and shading.

There are three ways to use the system: operation according to sensors, smartphone control (the VELUX ACTIVE app is compatible with Apple iPhones and Android smartphones), and manual operation. In sensor operation mode, you don’t have to do anything. Smartphone control allows users to adjust or stop automatic functions and manually control the roof windows. Manual control is useful when the owner leaves the house – they can simply press a button on the central switch to close all windows for safety.

The system is designed so that property owners can easily install it themselves. It has its own app that allows users to manage the indoor climate with their phone or tablet according to their personal needs and weather data.

The retail price of the basic VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO package is 6,590 CZK. All products are available at http://www.velux.cz/active and www.netatmo.com.

Smart algorithms of the VELUX ACTIVE system for ventilation and heat protection

The “Ventilation Using Sensors” algorithm is reactive, meaning it improves the indoor environment only when it is not optimal. The ventilation algorithm, based on values measured by the sensor (CO², humidity, temperature) and external data obtained from online weather forecasts (temperature, wind, humidity), calculates whether opening the roof window can improve the indoor environment or not.

If so, the algorithm then calculates to what extent and for how long the window should be opened. If ventilation is needed during rain, the rain sensor integrated in the VELUX INTEGRA® roof window will ensure that the window does not open until it stops raining.

The “Daily Ventilation” algorithm ensures to ventilate the room three times a day if the ventilation algorithm is not activated in it. The purpose of the daily ventilation function is to ensure that no pollutants that the indoor environment sensor does not measure (i.e., odors, dust, chemical vapors) linger in the room. The number of times a day the window should open can be set by the user in the app.

The “Intelligent Heat Protection” algorithm is proactive – shading is activated before it becomes overly hot. Based on external parameters obtained from online weather forecasts (temperature, weather conditions, and daylight length), it calculates the risk of the room overheating and decides when the shades, awnings, and blinds should be drawn to prevent overheating.

Did you know...

• 46% of consumers in the USA and Europe believe that smart homes will become the standard in the next four years (Bluetooth survey)
• Up to 90% of time is spent indoors (World Health Organization)
• 8 out of 10 consumers do not know that indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air (YouGov survey)
• Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air (Environmental Protection Agency)
• VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO includes an indoor climate sensor, central switch, and internet gateway
• The VELUX ACTIVE with NETATMO smart home system is compatible with electric VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows and with manually operated roof windows equipped with electric or solar drive
• The VELUX ACTIVE app is compatible with Apple iPhones and Android smartphones