Smarter buildings
A smart building thinks ahead.
Climate control that adapts to occupancy. Lights that switch off when nobody is there. Meters that show where energy is being wasted. It is all possible, as long as the systems are properly connected.
01. Eight systems
What works together in a smart building.
The numbers match the drawing above. For each system you can see what it does, what it saves and what we check.
- Climate controlHeating, cooling and ventilation that adapt to occupancy and weather. Heating and cooling are usually the biggest energy cost in a commercial building. What we check: whether the system can be managed remotely and shares data with other systems.
- LightingLighting that responds to presence and daylight, per room or zone. Lights only come on where and when they are needed. What we check: whether the lighting can be controlled centrally and is linked to occupancy.
- Smart metersMeters that show consumption per floor, tenant or system. You see where energy is wasted and can act on it. What we check: whether the data arrives centrally and is reliable.
- Occupancy sensorsSensors that measure whether a room or desk is in use. The basis for smart climate, lighting and cleaning. What we check: whether the sensors are reliably connected and share their data.
- Air qualitySensors for CO2, temperature and humidity. Ventilating based on measurement instead of at full power. What we check: whether the measurement is linked to the ventilation.
- Solar panels and batteryYour own generation and storage, used smartly. Using more of your own power and exporting less at a low price. What we check: whether generation, storage and consumption are matched.
- Charging pointsCharging points for electric cars and company vehicles. Smart charging prevents peaks and a more expensive grid connection. What we check: whether the charging points are linked to energy management.
- Building management systemThe central system that controls and monitors all building services. You see faults and waste immediately, not only on the annual bill. What we check: whether the system is safely connected to the network and has open interfaces.
02. Property types
Smart, by property type.
An office needs something different from a shop, an industrial unit or a distribution centre. See what delivers the most in your type of building.
Offices
Where the label C requirement, hybrid working and comfort come together.
ViewRetail
Where payments, customer experience and energy costs depend on the network.
ViewIndustrial
Office and production under one roof, with large roofs and large energy users.
ViewLogistics
Distribution centres that run around the clock, with large roofs and charging areas.
ViewSensorsSystemsSavings
A building that can see its own use can also improve it. That starts with reliable data.
03. Where it often goes wrong
Smart systems, but not smartly connected.
In many buildings the smart systems are there, but they work in isolation. The climate control does not know the meeting room is empty. The meter is only in the meter cupboard. The charging points all charge at the same time, exactly at the most expensive moment.
- Systems from different suppliers that do not talk to each other
- Building systems on the same network as the tenants
- Data that nobody looks at, or that does not come in centrally
Connect
A stable network with a separate segment for building systems.
Integrate
Systems that share their data through open interfaces.
Measure
Consumption per floor, tenant or installation.
Save
Control based on what is really happening.
Frequently asked questions
Smart buildings in plain language.
You will find more terms in the glossary.
What is a smart building?
A building in which installations and systems are connected to each other and to the network. They share data and respond to what is happening. For example, climate control that reacts to occupancy, or lighting that adjusts to daylight.
What is IoT?
IoT stands for Internet of Things: devices that send or receive data over the network. In a building these are, for example, sensors, smart meters, thermostats and charging points.
Is IoT in a building secure?
That depends on how it is set up. Building systems belong on their own, separate network, apart from the tenants' network. Passwords and software also need to be managed properly. We include this in every assessment.
How smart is your building?
Take the free scan. You will instantly see the opportunities for smart energy management.