Atika was designed to optimise the use of natural ventilation and night cooling with the help of an advanced electronic control system that automatically monitors the indoor climate. The system regulates the indoor climate by automatically opening and closing the windows and its accessories blinds, shades and roller shutters – and by activating the cooling/heating system according to pre-set parameters like temperature, humidity, time of day, season, burglary prevention, etc.

 

The system is based on the patented io-homecontrol® technology that ensures high energy efficiency but also pleasant indoor climate all the time. Influenced by the development of computer local networks and wireless technology, home appliances are no longer single products. They are increasingly forming part of home network systems that interact with each other, processing information and data. io-homecontrol® is an example of such an information interaction product for the private domain, a wireless communication protocol developed by a group of specialised companies in home comfort technology.

 

The main element of the system is a standard VELUX product, the electrically operated roof window INTEGRA®. A motor unit and the remote control operate different opening positions of the windows, as well as both the inside and outside sun screening devices. Thanks to the outdoor rain sensor, the window closes automatically in the event of rain.

In order to make daily use simple and convenient, the remote control units installed in each room are user-friendly and display clearly – in a similar way to mobile phone operating systems – the feedback between user and the io-homecontrol® products.

The system operates according to preset conditions:

 

Limitation of the sunlight heat:

Sunlight heat is controlled and avoided by closing screens and shutters from 0800 to 2000 in summer. Indoor temperature must not fall below 18°C or exceed 26°C. Shutters close if the outdoor temperature is higher than the indoor temperature.

 

Central cooling with air conditioning thermostat:

The sensors of the central cooling system are not yet directly interactive with the io-homecontrol® system, so each sensor is connected via a VELUX interface.

Natural ventilation:

Natural ventilation takes priority and should be used whenever possible. The system is informed by indoor thermostats in each zone of the house and an outdoor central thermostat.

 

Night cooling:

Night cooling occurs by partially opening all windows between 2300 and 0600. Windows close automatically if the tempe-rature in any room drops below 18°C.