New: Loxone Config 15.1

The Highlights:

• 01: Spot Price Optimizer – 30 min intervals (UK)
• 02: AC Unit Controller: Maximize Comfort and Energy Efficiency
• 03: New Function Block: AC Central Controller
• 04: New Visualisation: The Climate Controller Becomes the Heating and Cooling Controller
• 05: New Parameter: Use One Comfort Temperature
• 06: Billing of Wallboxes: OCPP (Open Charge Point Protocol) – Beta
• 07: Improved System Schematic
• 08: New Function Block: Dew Point Calculator
• 09: New: Binary Encoder & Value Validator
• 10: Min/Max Features for Formula Function Block

Perfect indoor climate thanks to artificial real intelligence

Artificial intelligence is everywhere these days. But real intelligence has been a part of Loxone’s climate control system for years. Our Miniserver processes data from room climate sensors, weather conditions, and more. It uses this data, along with its growing experience and complex calculations, to make decisions that ensure the perfect indoor climate. The Miniserver is always learning and optimizing these processes, and all data stays securely within your building.

We recently Introduced the Loxone Spot Price Optimizer, a revolutionary tool designed to help users capitalize on energy price fluctuations, reducing overall energy consumption and costs. Unlike mainland Europe, which uses hourly intervals, the UK operates on 30-minute intervals. Our developers have tailored the optimizer to accommodate this, ensuring precise calculations.

The Spot Price Optimizer now includes two new general-purpose inputs: I2 for specifying distribution costs and I3 for peak time premiums. Additionally, the I4 input allows users to input ‘Minutes Past Midnight’ for accurate timing. These inputs feed into a formula that calculates usage costs for each 30-minute interval.

The new Min/Max function lets users set a maximum cost per kWh based on their energy supplier’s price cap, preventing unexpected spikes in energy costs.

For example, integrating Loxone with Octopus Energy’s Agile tariff can significantly cut energy bills. Users can see real-time data on their app, enabling informed decisions on appliance usage and car charging times. However, with Loxone, these savings are automated, removing the burden from users and ensuring optimal energy usage at all times.

Follow our how-to and video step-by-step guide in our documentation via the button below.

Since last year, the AC Control Air has made it possible to seamlessly integrate air conditioning systems into building automation in record time. With version 15.1, the AC Control Function Block becomes the AC Unit Controller. This is accompanied by a number of innovations to greatly improve the comfort and energy efficiency of air conditioning systems.

Smart air conditioning in under 3 minutes

This is the AC Control Air

• Compatible with numerous leading manufacturers (Gree, Mitsubishi Electric, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Daikin, Fujitsu, Sinclair, Toshiba, LG)
• Invisible plug & play installation within the air conditioning system in under three minutes
• Simple, intuitive operation of the air conditioning via app
• Heating and cooling as needed
• Cost-effective heating and cooling thanks to PV integration and/or the Spot Price Optimizer

Exclusively for Loxone Partners: Help your customers keep a cool head in summer and benefit from our special promotion for the AC Control Air in August. All information can be found in the Loxone Partner Portal.

The connection of the AC Unit Controller and Intelligent Room Controller – for more comfort and energy efficiency

The air conditioning can now be connected to the Intelligent Room Controller. This makes it an integral part of an automated HVAC system.

Quiet comfort & efficient protection against overheating

Our concept with eco and comfort operation is already known from heating control. This is now also used in the control of air conditioning systems.

Comfort Mode

In Comfort mode, the air conditioning ensures the desired temperature with minimal noise. If the comfort temperature is exceeded, it begins to cool automatically. Once the desired temperature is reached, it runs constantly at a low level and thus maintains the temperature. Comfort mode is intended for those times when someone is in the building.

Silent Mode:

With the new option of setting a “Silent Mode”, the air conditioning continues to run unnoticed in the background. This is ideal for sleep mode or for a presentation in a meeting room, for example.

Default values:

In the latest version of Loxone Config, starting values ​​can be set for the fan speed, airflow and target temperature. This feature makes it possible, for example, to define standards in a hotel room. If desired, the last values ​​at which the air conditioning was previously switched off can also be adopted.

The outdoor unit of an air conditioner can either heat or cool, but not both at the same time. All indoor units must, therefore, be operated in the same mode. The AC Central Controller records the cooling or heating requirements of the connected Intelligent Room Controllers, thus ensures trouble-free and efficient operation of the air conditioning system.

Store energy in a room:
Excess cooling & excess heating

In order to use cheap cooling or heating energy as efficiently as possible, a room can be “overcooled” or “overheated”. This feature is ideal, for example, in combination with the Energy Manager for optimizing the self-consumption of a PV system or with the Spot Price Optimizer.

Now new: Intelligent weather forecast

The most important decision-making basis for efficient heating and cooling is the weather. The Loxone Weather Service has been providing reliable weather data for your building automation for years. The Heating and Cooling Controller and the AC Heating and Cooling Controller will use this data even more intelligently in the future. From now on, decisions will be made by default based on the forecast for the next 48 hours.

To provide more clarity, we have renamed the Climate Controller to Heating and Cooling Controller. So that users can better understand the behaviour of the Heating and Cooling Controller as well as the AC Central Controller, we have revised the visualisation in the app.

Now new:

• Visualisation of the requirement for heating or cooling in percentage
• Visualisation of the other temperatures being factored

We recommend setting your own comfort temperatures for heating and cooling. However, in some cases – such as in a hotel room – it makes sense to only specify one comfort temperature. This makes operation easier for the end user.

OCPP has established itself as the standard in billing for charging stations of electric vehicles. It connects charging stations for electric vehicles and their billing systems.

The Loxone Wallbox is now OCPP-capable (1.6 and 2.0.1) and, in conjunction with an NFC Code Touch, supports all common RFID charging cards, such as Shell Recharge, bp pulse and allstar. The same applies to other wallboxes that can be integrated into Loxone.

Numerous functions and options such as participation in charging networks, billing when the company car is charged at home or even ad-hoc billing without a charging card are now all possible with Loxone.

NFC, RFID and more

NFC Code Touch:
Read charge cards smartly

The NFC Code Touch is the ideal interface between the wallbox and the billing system. It reads numerous common RFID cards reliably and securely. But not only that – one device, countless possibilities! With the NFC Code Touch you can, for example, also manage access to your charging lounge.

• Simple, risk-free and keyless authorisation solution for all areas
• Refined Design
• Maximum security
• Seamless integration into the Loxone Wallbox

With the System Schematic, system layouts, floor plans and much more can be visualised in the Loxone App. In version 15.1, we are giving the Function Block additional useful features:

• Individual Text Fields
• Customisable prefix texts
• Execute actions directly within the view
• Clear design thanks to fixed sizes, grids and snap functionality

In order to calculate the dew point as easily as possible, for example for the minimum flow temperature of the cooling system, we have developed a new Function Block. Knowing the dew point helps prevent mold formation and moisture damage.

New Function Block: Binary Encoder

Encodes digital states into analog values. This enables communication with third-party devices that can only communicate via binary values.

New Function Block: Value Validator

Validates an analog value. This is practical, for example, when measuring the temperature in the pipes of a pool: the measured temperature is valid when the pump is running – but not when the water is in the pipes.

The new Min/Max feature is needed so that, for example, fixed price increases at peak times can be included in the calculation as easily as possible.