Smart Buildings - the benefits and technology

Smart Buildings have been around for a while now. But did you know, you can benefit from Smart Building Technology even if your building isn't a smart building per se? Here we look at what we mean by a smart building, the technology behind it is and the benefits they can deliver.

What Are Smart Buildings?

Smart buildings are ones which use technology to collect, monitor and analyse data. This is then used to automate and optimise resource usage, improve efficiency, enhance security, deliver predictive maintenance and increase occupant health and comfort. This is done through better functionality and by creating a responsive environment.

How are they Smart? Smart Building Technology

To achieve this, smart buildings are equipped with a variety of modern and innovative technologies including:

1) Internet of Things (IoT) Sensors: These sensors collect data from various building systems such as occupancy, lighting, HVAC, air quality and security. This data is then used to optimise resource usage, improve security and aid decision-making.

2) Building Technology Management System (BMS): A BMS centralizes control over building systems such as lighting control, climate control, window treatments, air quality and security. A BMS provides for real-time monitoring, automation and energy management. These help optimise resource allocation to reduce operational costs and provide a more comfortable and efficient environment for occupants.

3) Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI algorithms analyse data from sensors and the BMS to optimize building operations. For example, AI can adjust temperature settings based on occupancy patterns or predict maintenance needs.

4) Augmented Reality (AR): AR can be used to enhance building maintenance and repair tasks by overlaying digital information onto the physical environment. This means apps or AR glasses can be used to visualize equipment status or access repair instructions.

Top Benefits

• Sustainability

  The greenhouse gas resulting from building use currently accounts for around 28% of all global energy related carbon emissions. Smart buildings reduce this as occupancy, light, temperature and indoor air quality sensors ensure energy is used only where it’s needed - reducing consumption in areas not in use. Adjusting and optimising energy use through these sensors helps buildings become healthier environments and better places to work.
  

• Better Business Insights and Cost Saving

  Tracking trends can help companies identify busy times to align more closely with clients and/or employee working patterns or which resources are most/least likely to be used. Cost reductions through energy saving plus insights derived from smart technology can lead to better business and building management decisions.

• Proactive Maintenance

  Smart technologies can continuously monitor and collect data from each system within a building and use sensors to identify potential weaknesses or faults. This proactive maintenance ensures any problems are dealt with quickly and at a far lower cost.
  

• Productivity

  Environments which are optimised for health and wellbeing reduce the number of sick days taken, promote concentration and improve both productivity and results. In fact, a recent study conducted by Frost & Sullivan showed decarbonization and enhancing occupant well-being are central to Smart Building trends.
  

• Environmental Optimisation

  Extreme temperatures aren’t healthy for staff or technology. Automation allows a building to respond to external weather conditions, ensuring the right temperature for the occupants and technology. With light, air conditioning and window shading adjusted automatically, both the occupants and the technology will function better.

  
  

• Space Utilisation

  When everything from parking spaces to desks and meeting rooms can be tracked, organised and allocated, occupants are able to access the resources they need more efficiently and effectively.

  
  

• Enhanced security

  Physical security is enhanced with the use of IoT technologies like security cameras and sensors. When these are integrated with control and security systems, potential intruders or threats can be detected and alarms issued to the relevant managers. Cyber security is paramount for Smart Buildings and is a priority for the sector. The ways this is enhanced is via secure protocols, encryption, governance, authentication, training and continuous assessment.

  
  

• Increased building value

  With all the benefits included above, investors, owners and even occupants will pay more for properties and assets equipped with smart building solutions.

Love the benefits but don't have a smart building?

You can still enhance your work, living, leisure and education space with Smart Building Technology such as occupancy, light and temperature sensors and automation systems. We can help you build all the benefits associated with Smart Buildings to a smaller scale for your environment.

For more information about Smart buildings and to speak to an expert, simply contact us. We offer free no-obligation consultations. Just click here and contact us today.