The Threshing Barn

The Threshing Barn and smartkontrols featured in the Channel 4 program Grand Designs. Further details can be found on the web site.
"The Threshing Barn".

Owners of a 19th century threshing barn in Surrey are reaping the benefits of 21st century heating control thanks to intelligent smartkontrols technology. The smartkontrols system is an innovative, hi-tech feature of this unique conversion project featured exclusively as part of Channel 4’s Grand Designs series.

Located in an area of outstanding natural beauty in a village in Surrey, the circa 1840’s barn is now equipped with all the futuristic capabilities of the most modern home. High specification modern living is achieved within a Grade II listed building through the very latest in home automation technology set against a backdrop of inherited period features. smartkontrols worked closely with owners Philip and Angela Traill to provide the ultimate in technology-led lifestyle with an energy-efficient and accessible heating control solution which also integrates seamlessly with the barn’s other home automation networks.

“One of our primary build objectives was to future proof the living space, with heating, lighting, ventilation and audio-visual all networked” explains Philip Traill. “We have a passion for technology but are committed to an organic lifestyle. When we heard about the smartkontrols system it became clear that this was the technological innovation in heating control that we were looking for, enabling us to efficiently achieve maximum system performance, fuel efficiency and ease of use.”

exterior photo

Providing highly advanced, accurate and responsive control of the barn’s underfloor heating, high efficiency oil-fired condensing boiler and fresh air ventilation, the smartkontrols system divides the threshing barn into a series of "zones" where all temperatures and occupancy times are individually set up and adjusted. The Threshing Barn is separated into 11 fully independent zones, with the expansive main living area split into two piped halves for maximum comfort and control. This approach allows complete flexibility in setting different temperatures and operating times for each area, as desired, through simple push button operation of the system’s zone controllers. Thimble-size temperature sensors are installed to measure individual zone and outdoor temperatures, sending their information to a smartkontrols boiler control module which communicates with its respective zone controller to decide precisely when the heating should be activated.

Optimum energy efficiency is maintained at all times, with the boiler only running when a zone requires it and control of the underfloor heating manifold ensuring that water is piped at the right temperature and flow rate to meet the needs of each individual zone. The smartkontrols system is also controlling and monitoring the operation of the temperature settings and time schedules governing the property’s hot water supply.

The unique smartkontrols smartserver provides fully flexible, web-enabled access. Installed as an integral part of the control system, the smartserver module serves up information on the heating, ventilation and lighting systems fitted in the barn, allowing adjustments to be made from any PC on the property’s intranet, over the web or via an XDA or similar device. This capability brings Philip and Angela extra convenience, allowing, for example, remote activation of the heating zone if they are returning home unexpectedly from holiday or if they simply wish to check that the system is functioning normally.

Amongst the other intuitive features of this intelligent smartkontrols system is a unique fabric protection feature. When the Threshing Barn is unoccupied, this will automatically bring on the heating if the zone temperatures fall below 5'C, eliminating problems with dampness and humidity and preventing damage to the building’s structure and contents. The smartkontrols system can also provide a central point for activation of the three ventilation units which deliver fresh air into the barn.

All main plant control modules, together with pumps, power supply units and other system components are housed in a compact smartbox panel located in the barn’s ‘engine room’. The majority of zone controllers are also located out of sight in this central utility area. For extra convenience, a number of zone controllers are installed on the wall within the zone they are actually controlling to enable immediate manual adjustment of any settings.

“The technology available from smartkontrols is very exciting” added Philip Traill “It takes heating control to new levels of sophistication and usability. We can’t understand why everyone isn’t using it in their homes”