Connect to Energy Savings With AI-Driven Sensors
As business owners and facility managers look to reduce operating costs by improving energy efficiency, many are turning to Internet of Things (IoT) connected sensors and building automation systems (BASs). In this article, we’ll discuss considerations when selecting smart sensors for your facility and how an energy management system (EMS) or BAS can be employed to save you money.
Smart sensors
Lighting and occupancy sensors are perhaps the easiest first step you can take to improve energy efficiency through building automation. These devices provide the data you need to better understand your energy usage. Motion-activated lights are nothing new, but artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the sensor game.
Smart sensors that leverage artificial intelligence can determine how many people are in a space and track when they come and go. These sensors can look at an entire room, such as a conference room, or focus on individual desks. Based on usage patterns, AI can then suggest energy-saving routines for temperature and lighting management. Armed with that data, you can ensure you’re not wasting money heating, cooling and illuminating unoccupied spaces.
Things to consider
There are several things to consider when selecting sensors for your space. In addition to things like the size and placement of the sensors, you’ll need to determine if you want a wired or wireless system. Wireless sensors are easier and quicker to install if you’re retrofitting an existing building, but their batteries will need changing. You may even consider using Power over Ethernet (PoE) computer cabling to replace behind-the-wall wires and conduits to power lighting, sensors and controls all in one system for better tracking and faster response.
Additionally, you’ll want to understand how the sensors communicate with the cloud. IoT and cloud-connected sensors may need access to your network, so the security of those devices is critical – Does the manufacturer regularly update the device’s software? Is there an alternative way to connect the devices that is independent of your network?
Finally, if you’re using an EMS or BAS, you’ll want to make sure that the sensors you install will integrate with the respective platform and other building systems, as necessary.
Most AI-driven occupancy sensors anonymize data, so while the sensor reports the number of people in the space, it doesn’t provide personal information. Certain sensors on the market offer facial recognition should you need those capabilities, though there could be privacy and security concerns to consider with these solutions.
Energy management systems
Think of an EMS as a dashboard for measuring and reporting data and energy efficiency opportunities, while a BAS is a whole automobile. An EMS mostly targets lighting and HVAC, whereas a BAS targets security, people movers and any other large-scale processes.
Building automation systems
The more sensors you add, the more data you generate; sensors in modern smart buildings produce more data than humans alone can manage. That’s where building automation systems come in. The BAS manages and analyzes the data generated by all your IoT devices and presents the information on a dashboard. From that centralized location, you can monitor and control HVAC, lighting, elevators, security and other building systems. Many systems even offer remote access so you can manage your facility from anywhere.
If you’re looking to increase the energy efficiency of your building and reduce energy costs, you’ll want to invest in a BAS that features a robust dashboard customizable to your needs. The platform should be able to quickly visualize your energy utilization rates over time (month to month, day to day, hour to hour) and in real-time. The visualization might even include things like heat maps that show you, by floor and even by room, how energy is being used. An AI-enhanced system will learn over time, providing you with even more accurate data and energy-efficient automation strategies.
Armed with data from your BAS, you can develop efficiency-focused automation strategies that will ultimately save you money on your energy bill.
We’re here to help with all of your energy-saving needs. Contact us and see how we can help.
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