Cowshed transformed into energy-efficient family home with smart home automation
During major renovations to his home, the owner also opted for a TELETASK smart home automation system. Reliable technology, flexible integration options, and extensive monitoring features were the key reasons for his choice. Today, it’s hard to imagine that this house was once a cowshed.
Total renovation in the countryside
This home is in a very rural setting and used to be an old cowshed. During the complete renovation, only the exterior walls were largely preserved. If you know its history, you can still see the past of the original building on the outside. Inside, however, everything is brand new, featuring a sleek and modern interior style. The renovation was designed to create a future-proof and comfortable home.
Reliable technology
“I knew from the start that I wanted a TELETASK home automation system in my new house,” says the owner. “I’m familiar with TELETASK as an established name in the market, so as a customer, I can rely on the technology to remain available and continue to evolve. One of TELETASK’s great advantages is that the system can always be easily extended. That way, I always have access to the latest features for efficient energy management.”
Sensors for wind, heat, and light
The farmhouse now integrates a wide range of technologies into its smart home system, allowing centralised control. “We use TELETASK technology for the central unit, input and output interfaces, and sensors for wind, temperature, and sunlight,” explains the owner. “In addition, we have a large OPUS touchscreen as well as 15 smaller control panels. Almost every room has one, so it’s a bonus that the screens have an attractive design. They don’t disrupt the interior- on the contrary, their design fits perfectly with the modern interior. Outside at the gate, we have a video doorphone with access control keypad, which we can also control via the TELETASK OPUS panel.”
Automated sun screens
Thanks to the touch panels, the residents can now easily control the integrated technology. To improve energy efficiency, solar panels, a heat pump, and an EV charging station were also installed and integrated into the TELETASK system. The screens automatically open or close when the sun or wind sensors detect the need.
Setting the Mood
The owner adds, “Of course, we can also control the lighting via the touch screens, but we have programmed several ‘moods’ so that with a single press, we can instantly set the atmosphere to suit the moment. There’s an evening mode, for example, and a presence simulation mood that makes the house look occupied when we’re away. It’s very convenient.”
A DIY installation
Another convenience is having a tech-savvy son, an IT specialist who managed to configure everything himself, from the electrical schematics to the system’s functionalities. “For instance, I wanted to control when the heat pump should heat the water,” the owner explains. “It was a first for both my son and me to take on a project like this. Luckily, we are technically inclined (we have a factory for custom robotic plant automation machines), and with some occasional help, we got everything working. My son still uses the mobile app to fine-tune and optimise settings, while I personally prefer the control panels for daily use.”
The move to the new home took place in July 2024, and the TELETASK smart home system really met all expectations. “We’re very happy with it,” confirms the owner. “The system is completely stable and easy to use. Thanks to the programmable settings, many home functions are now automated. The only thing I would have liked to be different is a clearer manual and a smoother setup process for integrating everything into the network. Of course, this was an extra challenge for us since we installed everything ourselves. An experienced TELETASK system integrator is trained and certified for the job, which looks at the end quite simple. With the new PROSOFT 5 software release (free of charge) coming in 2025, this LAN configuration process will also become automatic.”
Ready for the future
For the owner, the project is not yet complete. “I expect home automation to evolve significantly in the coming years,” he says. “I’m particularly looking forward to more advanced energy management features to further optimise our consumption. At the moment, we’re already having the most of the available technology: we have an integrated connection with the digital meter, a heat pump, solar panels, an electric vehicle charging station and thanks to the TELETASK integration, full control of all energy consuming devices in the house.
My ultimate goal is to become completely independent from grid supplied energy. To achieve this, we plan to install a hydrogen battery in the future, allowing us to store more solar energy. Combined with a weather app that accurately predicts sunshine duration and the highly automated TELETASK control system for every device, this will enable next level rational energy consumption. With our current TELETASK setup, we’re very happy to have made the correct investment and to be prepared for the future. It is also a guarantee that our house will keep its high value for the decades to come.”
More about the house owner...
Since TELETASK is an engineering company, and the homeowners own IMA Engineering Company, we like to tell you a bit more about it.
IMA, based in Maldegem, Belgium, specializes in the development and production of advanced machinery and automation solutions for industrial applications. From custom machine design and prototype development to fully integrated automation systems, IMA delivers tailored solutions that drive efficiency and innovation.
Serving a diverse range of industries, including automotive, chemical, medical, biotechnology, and general manufacturing—IMA excels in machine construction, system integration, and robotics. Their expertise extends to complex vision systems, ensuring precision and high-performance automation. As a testament to their capabilities, IMA was responsible for the installation of the new production line at TELETASK’s headquarters and factory in Ghent several years ago.
And as for TELETASK home automation in the IMA owners' residence? Well, that’s just a perfect match of technology enthusiasts enjoying the best of what automation has to offer!
