Release notes version 2.18.1 Mac

Software version and release date

Niko Home Control programming software version 2.18.1 Mac OS (64 bits). This software is used for programming a new Niko Home Control II installation or for adapting an existing 2.x installation.

Release date 10 Oct 2023

This upgrade is provided as an automatic upgrade of the programming software at start-up and can also be downloaded from the Niko website.

System requirements

A minimum of 4 GB RAM is recommended
Compatible with Mac OS 11 or a more recent version
Minimum screen resolution: 1366 x 768. The programming software will give a warning message when it is opened on a lower resolution screen.
The app for iPads and iPhones requires iOS version 14.0 or higher. The Android app requires version 9.0 or higher.

When should you use it?

Niko strongly recommends upgrading all Niko Home Control II installations to this version to guarantee the correct functioning of the installation. An upgrade is specifically recommended if the installation requires one of the following features or bug fixes:

New features

Compared to version 2.17.3:

Niko Home app:
- Reduced time to perform programming changes in the programming software and Niko Home app
- A notification pops up if your phone settings for access control are incorrect
- Ability to upgrade all devices in a Niko Home Control installation simultaneously via the app
- Optimised the ‘Energy stats' and 'Energy (grid)' screens: created more consistent data visualisation for the 'Energy stats' and moved 'power data' to the 'Energy (grid)' screen. Added a clear split between real-time and historical energy data for the 'Energy (grid)' screen
- Added a ‘demo mode’
- Included release notes and a ‘what’s new’ overview
- Possibility to monitor your water consumption via Niko Home Control if your installation contains a digital water meter connected to a digital electricity meter
- Ability to monitor your solar production via the Niko Home app without having to measure your consumption
- Possibility to add your electricity and gas tariffs in the Niko Home app, allowing you to monitor your energy data directly in the correct currency. Note that the rates shown are purely indicative

Programming software:
- Possibility to remove multiple configuration files simultaneously
- Increased number of Niko Home Control components allowed per installation (max. 500) and improved visual warning shown when the limit has (almost) been reached

Energy:
- Peak mode: the quarter-hour peak defines when devices are deactivated (within the scope of the capacity tariff). The reactivation delay feature has been replaced by a minimum deactivation time of 10 minutes. Devices are re-activated one by one when your energy consumption drops below a pre-configured value. In case a device should be turned off for a longer period, you can configure this via the programming software
- Solar mode: possibility to define per device how much excess solar energy is needed to activate it and the ability to activate individual appliances when excess solar energy is available

Partner systems:
- Multi-zone control is supported for Bulex/Vaillant/Saunier Duval/Protherm systems in combination with Niko Home Control

Bug fixing

Compared to version 2.17.3:

General bug fixing

How do you install it?

If you are installing the software for the first time:

Download the software from the Niko website.

Unzip the downloaded file, you will receive 4 files:

README.txt: this file contains the installation instructions
Dwg file:
1. The installation of the programme will start as soon as you open this file (follow the steps on the screen)
2. If your PC is connected to the internet, the software will suggest a download of a more recent version, if available. We recommend always using the latest version since it will contain the latest functionalities and bug fixes.
NikoTouch2OS.zip en NikoTouch3OS.zip:
1. These files are required for the activation of each second-generation (550-20101) or third-generation (550-20102) touchscreen. You can recognize these touchscreens by the presence of a USB port at the bottom of the screen. Other touchscreens cannot be used in a Niko Home Control II installation.
2. Do not unzip this file under any circumstances.
3. Copy the zip file to an empty FAT32 formatted USB stick. Make sure to use the "safely remove hardware" option when removing the USB stick from a Windows PC.
4. Plug the USB stick in the USB port at the bottom of the touchscreen and follow the instructions on the screen. The touchscreen will automatically recognize the correct zip file and start the upgrade.
5. Later upgrades will be installed automatically. An active internet connection is required.

If you have installed a previous 2.x software:

Make sure your computer has an active connection to the internet.
Open the installed programming software on your computer. The software indicates that a new version is available. Confirm that you want to upgrade.
If the programming software indicates an upgrade is available for the connected controller, please perform this upgrade.
(If you haven't received this notification, it means your computer hasn't connected to your connected controller yet. Close the software and connect your computer to your connected controller. Open the programming software again. You will now see the upgrade for the connected controller and you can perform it).
The software confirms your installation is up to date.
If you have a touchscreen 550-20102, this touchscreen will also indicate that an upgrade is available. Follow the steps on the screen to download and install the upgrade. You only need an active internet connection (the upgrade no longer requires a USB-stick as with the first upgrade to Niko Home Control II). The touchscreen 550-20101 must be upgraded with the USB stick according to the procedure described above.

Warnings and known issues

- Energy features for bus wiring installations with a measuring module (550-00801, 550-00803):
  - Make sure your current clamps are connected in the right way to get the right data in the Niko Home app. Consumption and production should have positive values. If this is not the case, please invert the production current clamp.
  - Historical energy data is not yet available in the Niko Home app. This data will be added in a following release. However, the historical data is not lost and will still be visible in the Niko Home Control II app.
- Digital black:
- Digital black 230V cannot be used as a thermostat. Only Digital black 24V in combination with a heating-cooling module or switching module (ref. 550-00103 or 550-00106) programmed for electrical heating supports this function.
- Temperature calibration offset must be set in the app to align the measured temperature to the actual room temperature.
- Linking the Digital black to your Wi-Fi network can fail on Netgear Orbi RBR50 routers.
  Recent updates of Ubiquiti Unifi Wi-Fi Access Points may block the Wi-Fi onboarding of your Digital black. Disable the DPI settings on Unifi to onboard your Digital black.
- The Digital black may occasionally enter a black screen state. Perform a power cycle or reset via the bottom reset pin to unblock your Digital black.
- Minor UI issues in routines with intermediate states and text misalignments.
If you use wireless components in a Niko Home Control installation for bus wiring you can use exactly one Easywave interface per installation. Choose the USB RF interface (410-000999) or the Niko Home Control RF interface Easywave (550-00610).
Incomplete overview of possible feedback LED outcome on the smart hub's Wi-Fi configuration page.
In some exceptional cases, the connected dimmer for Niko Home Control (for traditional wiring) may go in error mode. Press the "MIN DIM LEVEL" button to solve the issue.
Create a new programming file for every new installation. We do not recommend reusing a programming file which has previously been addressed and uploaded to another similar installation. This can result in a new installation that does not work.
After each programming upload to the installation, you must log in again into the Niko Home Control app.
Log out of all mobile devices and touchscreens before changing your password on the registration website https://mynikohomecontrol.niko.eu.
Activate both mobile data and Wi-Fi on your mobile iOS devices and ensure that your battery has enough power. This is to ensure that you do not miss any calls from the external video unit. This problem could occur if the power save mode is activated.
It can take up to 15 minutes before all touchscreens or mobile devices have reconnected with the installation after an upload, reboot of the installation or power failure (even if the device gives another status). The correct functioning of these devices can only be guaranteed after the waiting time has elapsed.
Uploading and upgrading can be done both with a wired and wireless connection between the pc and the installation. However, we strongly recommend using the wired connection as it is more stable and safer.
Back up your programming regularly to avoid losing data.
It can take up to a minute in the address tab before an external video unit is detected.
Lighting circuits used in actions which are controlled by a motion detector, may not be used in other actions. This can result in undesired behaviour.
The energy data history will be lost when replacing the controller or an energy module.
Contact Niko customer services if you want to replace an HVAC interface in an existing installation.
Remove all assigned Velux or Reynaers players from a module if you want to change their position. Then reassign them to their new position on the module.
After (un)grouping audio speakers or implementing a speaker firmware update you will automatically log out of the app.
The diagnostics page does not show analogue sensor data.
The diagnostics page only shows the state of the first channel of a multi-channel module.
Wireless motion detector, Zigbee® does not allow sensitivity setting.
Wireless motion detector, Zigbee® does not allow switch-off delay value in absence detection (10s only).
In a very specific case, the touchscreen can get blocked in keyboard mode. Resetting the power solves the issue.
Vaillant: when setting the heating program mode to ‘manual’, you need to wait at least one minute before the temperature can be set.
If the Niko Home app is upgraded after your Niko Home Control installation, your motor controls won't work.

Useful information

This software is used for programming a Niko Home Control II installation. The software is compatible with the connected controller and wireless smart hub and all products belonging to the Niko Home Control product range at the time of this release unless otherwise stated.
In order to program the connected controller with this software, it must be upgraded first. As soon as the computer is connected with a Niko Home Control installation, the programming software will prompt to upgrade the connected controller. Only upgrade Niko Home Control II installations. The conversion of existing Niko Home Control installations is final and is not yet supported by this release. The remaining Niko Home Control modules will only be upgraded after the programming has been completely finalised and uploaded to the installation.
Niko Home Control installations which were programmed with Niko Home Control programming software version 1.x do not need to be adjusted or upgraded. The 1.x software and apps will continue to be supported and will remain available for the programming and maintenance of existing installations. The conversion of these installations is not yet supported.
Each installation must be registered on the Niko registration website https://mynikohomecontrol.niko.eu with the MAC address and the serial number of the connected controller or wireless smart hub. You will need the e-mail address and password used when registering to control the installation with mobile devices and to retrieve energy data on touchscreens. In addition, you will need an active internet connection for both applications.