Various Functions of Building Automation Systems Inside Your Property
Building automation systems (BAS) connect and automate various functions inside your building. They can control everything from lighting and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning) to security and fire systems. These systems gather information from sensors around your building and send it to a server that keeps tabs on everything. It then relays that data to the connected devices so they can adjust their settings.
The Basics
Whether you own a new construction property or have a large existing building, a good understanding of the basics of building automation systems will help you decide what type is right for your needs. You’ll learn how they work, why they’re important and what you can expect from a properly installed system.
A building automation system typically consists of input and output devices, a controller and a user interface. These components gather and process information and then adjust it as needed.
Input devices detect measurements like room temperature and equipment status, and output devices adjust these readings, often automatically. The controller manages all these components and sends any necessary adjustments to the output devices through a shared language or communication protocol.
Using data and analytics, building automation and control can be programmed to react to changing environmental conditions, including energy usage. It can result in improved efficiency and lower utility costs for your facility.
Maintenance Savings
Building automation systems are a great way to keep your building running efficiently, which can mean lower maintenance costs. They also help prevent equipment breakdowns that can disrupt your business’s operations.
Another benefit of a working building automation system is that it extends the life of your equipment. Since the system constantly checks and repairs equipment, it will likely last longer before it needs replacement.
It may save you money over time, primarily since a lot of the work required to run your facility is handled mainly by a staff that would not be necessary with a properly working BAS.
Moreover, it helps prevent downtime, which can be costly for any business and affect productivity. It can even lead to lost revenue and profits.
A well-run BAS can be integrated with facilities management software like FMX to automatically turn off lighting and HVAC systems when no events or activities are scheduled. It can save much money over time by cutting down on wasted electricity.
Increased Productivity
Productivity is the ability of a person or business to complete tasks efficiently and quickly. It is a critical measure of economic health and can be measured at the individual and company levels.
Increased productivity can benefit the entire community, including employees, consumers and companies. It can help maintain a healthy work/life balance, improve quality of life, and reduce stress levels.
Increasing productivity can also lead to more significant economic growth. As the economy can produce more goods for the same amount of labor, it can create more opportunities for people to have better lives and earn higher incomes.
One of the ways that building automation systems can help with increased productivity is by boosting safety. When workers feel safe at work, they’re more likely to stick with the company longer and perform better.
In addition, automation can help prevent breakdowns in a facility’s HVAC system, which can disrupt a business. It can also allow occupants to control their temperatures in a way that helps them be more comfortable and save on energy costs.
Safety
A building automation system can help ensure your building is safe by monitoring environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. If a dangerous level is detected, the system can alert occupants and authorities to take action.
It also helps to improve safety in several ways by controlling lighting levels and security systems. It can help to keep your building safe from criminal activity, employee theft, and tampering.
In addition to increasing safety, building automation systems can help make your building more energy efficient. It can save money by automatically reducing power usage when no one uses the appliances.
Additionally, it can track water use to prevent waste and increase efficiency. It will ultimately lead to a more sustainable environment, an important goal for many businesses nowadays.
As we mentioned earlier, the typical setup of a BAS is independent of a company’s corporate network. A BAS can be far more susceptible to cyber threats than a standard business network.
Energy Savings
Buildings are the single largest energy-consuming sector in the United States. They comprise approximately 75% of the nation’s electricity and 40% of its energy demand.
Fortunately, the cost of modern building automation technologies is rapidly becoming affordable. Using these tools can help save your building’s operators time, money and energy.
A high-quality building automation system can save 30-40% of the energy needed for lighting, heating and cooling. It is essential in energy shortages and reduces payback times on $100-500k up-front capital expenditure (CapEx).
Another benefit of these systems is that they can monitor equipment performance and send alerts to operators if maintenance is needed. It can help managers use proactive maintenance strategies that usually save money over the long term.
