Understanding Smart Building Automation With IoT

Smart building automation systems (BAS) emerged as an ideal solution for cost and energy optimization as building management and the Internet of Things (IoT) converge in the 2000s.

 

The most notable feature of IoT-powered BAS is the ability to monitor and control the environment of building facilities from a single platform. The platform ensures operational performance as well as the safety and comfort of the occupants with the help of configurable and data-driven controlling equipment.

 

What is a Building Automation System? 

 

A Building Automation System (BAS) is a computerized system that controls and monitors various building systems such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting, security, and so on. A building automation system aims to improve the performance of these building systems while also lowering energy consumption and increasing occupant comfort.

 

Sensors, controllers, and actuators are among the components of a building automation system. Temperature, humidity, occupancy levels, and other variables are detected by sensors. Actuators, such as valves and dampers, regulate building system settings based on control schedules and other inputs. BAS can be programmed to react to a variety of variables, including occupancy levels, time of day, and weather alerts.

 

BAS is an intelligent system that connects heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, security, and other systems to communicate on a single platform. In this manner, the automation system provides critical information on a building's operational performance while also improving occupant safety and comfort. 

 

These types of automation systems are typically installed in new buildings or as part of a retrofitting process in an existing building. The primary goals of building automation systems are to reduce energy consumption, lower maintenance costs, improve occupant comfort and productivity, and extend the utility life cycle.

 

Buildings controlled by BAS are frequently referred to as smart or intelligent buildings. Why is this the case? Because the building is more user-friendly, environmentally friendly, and less expensive to operate. A centralized control unit handles the majority of the processes. More advanced systems can also be controlled remotely on various mobile devices via specific apps or platforms, contributing to the term "smart building."

 

Also Read | Understanding the Concept of IoT Devices

 

How does IoT work in Smart Building Automation? 

 

Two outstanding components enable the modern BAS system to outperform traditional ones.

 

The first is IoT-powered meters that aid in building management. They can link thousands of sensors to monitor real-time utility usage such as electricity, natural gas, and water. Building managers could monitor the overall operation of the building using a single dashboard as a result of it.

 

The advanced analytics system that analyzes data collected by meters and sensors is the second notable BAS feature. The results provide actionable insights for predictive maintenance and downtime prevention. Building managers can extract valuable information from this integration in order to adjust operations and achieve a high return on investment. A traditional building may have a simple set of environmental settings connected to an internal network. Sensors, such as heating or cooling valves, and instruments tell the network how to operate.

 

They communicate with the building's IT infrastructure in order to share data and protect it from cyberattacks. The majority of the time, these integrations are located at the top or in front of the system controllers and the network. As a result, because the IT level does not ensure safety, the building automation network is jeopardized. As a result, many devices are not connected to or exposed to the IT network.

 

IoT is a concept that connects devices using sensors to collect data and enable communication. It was not possible with traditional building management systems. They can manage and track a building's controls, as well as reduce energy consumption and manage operations. However, these systems are not well integrated. It makes it difficult for facility managers to obtain an accurate picture of building efficiency.

 

IoT creates powerful opportunities to automate building management processes and provides a variety of benefits such as environmental efficiency, cost reduction, and much more. Gartner recently conducted research. When used correctly and on time, smart technologies can reduce building costs by 30%. It is simply altering how users and buildings interact. 

 

Benefits of IoT in Smart Building Automation

 

Some of the Benefits offered by IOT in smart Building automation are:

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Benefits of IoT in Smart Building Automation

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1. Provide real-time insight and visibility into building operations.

 

Modern BAS's advanced energy analytics and reporting can provide real-time visibility and insights into building operations that older systems cannot.

 

The system allows managers to examine energy consumption patterns, heat loads, occupancy metrics, and other vital statistics using IoT-enabled devices and sensors attached to individual zones. As a result, they can detect pressures on the power grid and adjust them quickly. Furthermore, because it is equipped with predictive analytics, it can notify managers when equipment maintenance and servicing are required.

 

2. Ensuring the safety of the occupants.

 

Aside from assisting with facility management, the smart BAS can improve the health of occupants. By constantly monitoring these variables, IoT-powered BAS maintains thermal, air quality, and lighting levels at appropriate levels. As a result, occupants can enjoy a more comfortable and beneficial indoor environment.

 

Furthermore, smart sensors allow for personalized experiences for occupants. For example, they can use mobile applications to easily adjust the temperature in their area, or they can provide feedback and ratings on the current facility conditions. As a result, the management team can closely monitor occupant satisfaction to ensure adequate occupancy and a higher return on investment.

 

3. Simple modernization.

 

Building owners can upgrade old systems to IoT-powered BAS without incurring exorbitant costs. Battery-powered IoT sensors are inexpensive and easily integrated into most existing automation systems. 

 

We can integrate sensors across the facility to capture comprehensive insights into diverse building functions and distributed assets using robust, scalable, and low-power IoT connectivity. As new business requirements and renovation needs arise, the existing sensors can be easily relocated or installed along the line.

 

4. Bringing down the cost of building management systems.

 

A traditional building management system costs between $2.5 and $7 per square foot, or $250,000 to $700,000 for a 100,000-square-foot building. Most construction companies face an ROI challenge because a low ROI would limit owners' willingness to invest in a BMS.

 

Meanwhile, an IoT-based monitoring system can cost anywhere between $5,000 and $50,000. When compared to a traditional BMS, an IoT-based approach based on wireless sensors can reduce deployment costs by 30%. As a result, companies can expect greater ROI since the managing process of their buildings becomes cheaper and more efficient.

 

Smart buildings use technology and the Internet of Things to solve the age-old problems of overspending and inefficiency in building construction and use. All of the systems in a smart building are linked, from air conditioning to security and lighting.

 

5. Maintenance that is predicted.

 

When maintenance is done manually, the costs can add up quickly. However, without maintenance, building equipment must be replaced far more frequently, which depletes budgets. Predictive maintenance is made easier in smart buildings.

 

Before an alert is generated, sensors can detect building performance and initiate maintenance procedures. When you have a better understanding of how the building operates - and is used - it is far easier to implement maintenance at the appropriate time.

 

6. Boost productivity.

 

Smart buildings are specifically designed to provide occupants with a more comfortable experience. They can raise standards, ensure health and safety considerations are met, and ensure that this is done in a cost-effective manner.

 

Smart buildings increase productivity by continuously monitoring building usage and adjusting systems to ensure that occupants have the facilities they require.

 

7. New Revenue Generation Possibilities.

 

Massive IoT data is creating new data-driven revenue streams that property owners may not have considered. When it comes to tenants, there are numerous insights you can provide to assist them in making better decisions.

 

For example, your customers are likely to be interested in learning about their utility consumption and office space utilization habits. This allows them to detect inefficiencies, make better leasing decisions in the future, and optimize office layouts to address emerging workforce trends. Information about floor traffic data allows retailer tenants to improve their offerings during peak hours. These are just a few ways property owners can use IoT data to unlock a plethora of service innovation opportunities.

 

Also Read | Wifi 6: The Future of IoT

 

Future of IOT in Smart Building Automation

 

IoT Smart buildings are quickly becoming a global trend. According to Mordor Intelligence, the smart building market will grow at a rate of more than 23% per year between 2019 and 2024.

 

Nations all over the world are developing smart cities to improve efficiency, reduce maintenance and operating costs, and make residents' lives easier. It is critical for building managers to remember that smart buildings present a unique set of challenges when implementing a solution. As a result, long-range and low-power capabilities have become critical. They ensure sensor functionality, optimize utility usage and improve safety.

 

The use of smart technologies such as IoT contributes to the green building movement. IoT-powered buildings reduce energy consumption in a sustainable manner, allowing concerned stakeholders to make the most environmentally viable decisions. According to World Green Building Trends, 55% of Indian respondents believe that 60% of their projects will be green by the end of 2021. According to a survey conducted by Deloitte, the Asia Pacific region will invest in smart building projects. It is happening as a result of increased urbanization and advancements in green and sustainable space.

 

 In conclusion, The use of IoT is a game changer for enabling smart building automation. It enhances the intelligence of building management systems. Facility managers can respond to changing situations and anticipate potential discrepancies. The future is filled with connected devices in buildings.