OPINION


A new era in HVAC I


Kas Mohammed, VP Digital Energy, UK&I at Schneider Electric talks about the modern technologies that are changing the electrical sector.


n order to meet new building requirements and keep up with ever-changing consumer expectations, electrical contractors are increasingly turning to advanced heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technologies. Smart solutions and those that facilitate remote monitoring and control, whilst still enhancing energy effi ciency and indoor air quality, are becoming a part of standard practice. We are increasingly seeing contractors start to take a


more holistic approach to effi ciency within the HVAC sector, leveraging automation and control. Integrating automation, HVAC, control systems, and smart technologies in an industrial building streamlines energy use in several ways. For example, automation systems adjust the operation of machinery or lighting based on real-time demand – avoiding unnecessary energy use. Optimised HVAC systems adapt to diff erent zones and times of the day to greatly reduce heating and cooling waste. Control systems monitor and adjust energy use across the entire building for more informed and effi cient management of resources. Intelligent technologies can anticipate maintenance needs and operational adjustments. This ensures the systems run at peak effi ciency without energy loss from malfunctioning or suboptimal performance.


Meanwhile industrial controls provide a wide range of benefi ts - from making buildings more resilient and operationally effi cient, to helping to reduce a site’s carbon footprint. To create a truly smart building, the integration of multiple devices on a single smart platform, and their ability to interact seamlessly with each other, is essential. Interoperability ensures every device and application feeds into the overall goals for a project – whether that’s to lower costs or carbon or improve occupant experience.


Following protocol


When implementing these modern technologies, electrical contractors must also continue to be aware of certain protocols. For example, BACnet is the predominant protocol in use for heating, cooling and ventilation systems. It stands for building automation and control networks and is widely used around the world with HVAC, lighting and even security systems within buildings. BACnet is an open-source protocol form of communication that allows devices to talk with one another on a building network.


Meanwhile, KNX is commonplace for lighting controls and automation in high-end residences. As well as HVAC, these devices can manage lighting, blinds and shutters, security systems and energy management. There is also the lighting protocol, DALI. Fortunately, there are certain tools which are able to


interact with all of these protocols to make integration far easier and more cost eff ective. The best on the market will provide an open integration framework to create custom solutions for smart buildings and value-added services available in the cloud. They will also be secure, scalable and comprehensive, able to scale to a building’s needs now and in the future. Recent trends and developments in the buildings sector


– specifi cally around HVAC – are certainly keeping electrical contractors on their toes. These changes underscore the importance of prioritising the user and occupant experience, with integration eff orts aimed at enhancing usability, comfort, and overall satisfaction. As energy effi ciency continues to emerge as a key


focus area - which is proving to be crucial for reducing environmental impact and optimising resource utilisation, thereby lowering operational costs – every change that electrical contractors can make to boost effi ciency within buildings counts. By embracing forward-thinking, future- proof solutions, those operating in the sector can ensure the longevity and relevance of integrated systems, benefi ting both users and sustainability initiatives.


12 July 2024 • www.acr-news.com Download the ACR News app today


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44