Does the building you work in know your unique preferences for temperature and lighting? If it did, that would be a very favorable convenience. But, what if that convenience not only benefited you but also helped save costs and energy? Well, with smart buildings, this is not only probable but also possible.
What Is a Smart Building?
It is a building that uses automated processes for controlling its systems. To better illustrate what a smart building is, think of it as a living, breathing organism. The building essentially has a brain, which is referred to as the building management system (BMS), that’s responsible for controlling the rest of its body – lighting, HVAC systems, access control systems, security systems, digital signage, wayfinding, processing equipment, and plumbing. Automation plays a key role in making smart buildings productive, healthy, flexible, and cost and energy efficient.
What Types of Technologies Make a Smart Building “Smart”?
Smart buildings rely primarily on several technologies:
- Sensors: Thermal, infrared, proximity, and electronic sensors collect electronic signals, which are then interpreted by either AI or humans. Sensors in smart buildings may be installed for monitoring power consumption, temperature, occupancy, lighting, etc.
- Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT is a network of physical connected devices that essentially “communicate” with each other through the exchange of data. The IoT connects the technology in a smart building. IoT devices include lights, sensors, and meters that collect and analyze data.
- Building Management Systems (BMS): The BMS, which is also referred to as the building automation system, is a computer-based system, which controls and integrates the systems in a smart building. It is the central hub or brain of a smart building, which is responsible for telling equipment what to do. The BMS makes sure that operations run efficiently and securely.
- Actuators: Are devices that use power to convert control signals into mechanical actions. In smart buildings, they are used in solar panels, blinds, locks, positioning security cameras, or any other object or system that moves.
- Augmented Reality (AR): AR lets you see the real-life environment with digital augmentation over it. AR technology enhances smart building solutions in a variety of ways including outages or emergency situations. For instance, AR-enabled glasses can help maintenance professionals view equipment instructions, installation dates, warnings, and troubleshooting tips that “hover” over the piece of equipment.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI is the simulation of machines aimed at mimicking human decision making. For instance, AI can learn what is normal energy usage for equipment such as HVAC systems or refrigerators. If there’s an abnormal energy output or leak, AI can suggest maintenance. AI can also learn the preferences of occupants and adjust temperature and lighting based on a specific occupant.
The technologies above allow a building to be “smart.” Data from these sources along with any other technologies deployed by the building such as guest Wi-Fi, people counters, etc., is harnessed and then analyzed and results in specific insights, alerts, or actions that can be used by building occupants, personnel, or owners.
Smart Building Benefits
Memoori, which is a smart building research firm, predicts that the number of installed connected devices in commercial buildings will grow to just below 3 billion by 2025. Devices and sensors used for tracking occupancy movement and analytics will experience some of the highest rates of growth. It is easy to understand this increase considering the benefits associated with smart buildings.
Buildings that enable smart technologies have the potential to reduce costs by 15 percent, on average, and create an environment that reduces energy wastage and stimulates the productivity of employees. Here are some of the benefits of smart buildings:
I. Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Smart buildings give visibility to inefficient equipment and systems and can adjust in real-time to reduce energy consumption. For instance, smart buildings can control HVAC and light settings to turn them off, on, or adjust them based on the amount of natural sunlight in the room or occupancy. Buildings with large refrigerators can run them at off-peak times to reduce energy costs and usage.Â
II. Reduced Maintenance and Operating Costs
Smart buildings can perform automatic checks for lamp or equipment failure and notify personnel if preventive maintenance or replacement is required. This helps cut down on manual service checks. Proactive maintenance also reduces costly downtime required for reactive maintenance.
III. Visualized Data Insights and Analytics
The ability to collect large volumes of data that can be analyzed to make better decisions is one key benefit of smart buildings. The owners of buildings can see the exact amount of energy used in real-time and how much it costs, which can lead to better data-driven decisions.
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