AIR CONDITIONING, COOLING, VENTILATION
Enhancing smart buildings with air ventilation sensors
Smart buildings are now at the forefront of ensuring optimal air quality, leveraging advanced sensor technology systems to not only enhance the quality of the air, but the overall comfort of the building occupants. However there is some reluctance to implement air ventilation systems due to concerns surrounding their use. Melissa Jones, divisional sales director, hard services at OCS asks where does this reluctance lie, and how can it be addressed?
The importance of proper ventilation
Indoor Environment Quality (IEQ) is a comprehensive concept that encapsulates various factors that affect the indoor environment, from air quality and lighting to acoustics and thermal comfort. Good IEQ is essential for the wellbeing and productivity of building occupants. Proper ventilation sits under the IEQ umbrella and is vital for maintaining the health of the occupier in any indoor environment. Quality ventilation reduces CO2 levels, promoting improved mental clarity and overall wellbeing through minimising drowsiness, headaches and reduced cognitive function. Proper ventilation also helps to dilute and remove pollutants, such as bacteria, viruses and other harmful substances that can accumulate indoors.
Automatic sensors in smart building technologies
The adoption of smart buildings has increased in recent years, introducing advanced technologies that enhance the efficiency, comfort, safety, and sustainability of the structures. At OCS, for example, we use ABi smart building management systems, such as footfall counters and utility meters, integrated with other applications to provide efficiencies and improve ways of working. By using interconnected systems and devices, smart buildings can dynamically respond to the needs of occupants and environmental conditions. Sensors are the foundation of smart buildings, whether that be a smart meter, thermostat or security systems like ring doorbells. For example, as part of your air conditioning system, you can use smart sensors for the remote management of various parameters like temperature, humidity and CO2 levels, without the need for on-site intervention.
Benefits of air ventilation sensors
Offering numerous benefits, air ventilation sensors hold the power to monitor CO2 levels and adjust their operation as needed based on real-time energy data, reducing energy consumption. This not only improves air quality
and the building’s sustainability credentials, but also enhances occupant comfort, allowing for continuous monitoring to ensure optimised ventilation at all times. In contrast, traditional ventilation systems, which often run constantly, are energy inefficient, consuming vast amounts of energy without necessarily providing optimal air quality.
Another beneficial aspect of air ventilation sensors is the ability for data collected from the sensors to be stored in the cloud for analysis and future improvements. This data can then be used for conducting routine maintenance checks, like filter changes in HVAC systems, for instance. The ability to perform remote diagnostics and minimise physical inspections can as a result, lead to cost savings and safety improvements. Smart sensors provide real-time data and the enablement of remote management systems have allowed air ventilation sensors to facilitate both preventative and proactive maintenance. This approach also aids in planning capital expenditures in addition to reducing environmental impacts and achieving sustainability targets.
Challenges with air ventilation sensor uptake
Despite the numerous benefits that air ventilation sensors bring about, there is some reluctance when it comes to uptake. The primary barrier to adopting sensor technology is cost, with some building owners having reservations as to the return on investment and whether the long-term savings justify the upfront expense. In particular, concerns about cost can arise
from the expense of upgrading building management systems, the integrated networks of hardware and software designed to monitor the entire building’s operations. Integrating new sensors into an existing management system can also be highly complex, and there may be worries about the technical challenges, compatibility issues and the need for specialised knowledge to manage and maintain the system. Effective use of advanced sensors often requires specialised training, meaning building managers and staff must learn how to interpret data and adjust systems accordingly. Like any technology, air ventilation sensors also require ongoing maintenance to ensure
the readings are accurate, with some building managers concerned about the overall ROI, time and resources needed to maintain the system. Scepticism may also arise from worries about how the data collected on building operations and occupant data is stored, used and protected.
Addressing the concerns
Whilst some businesses are reluctant towards implementing air ventilation sensors, many of these reservations can be tackled head-on. However, the benefits of air ventilation sensors largely hinge on how they are implemented and the specific context of the building itself. In terms of the ROI, in buildings with high
energy costs, the savings reduced from HVAC usage can offset the initial investment in the sensors. Additionally, the initial costs of purchasing and installing the sensors can be mitigated through phased implementation or financing options. Many regions also offer incentives or rebates for energy-efficient technologies, which can also improve ROI on sensor installations. There are also long-term cost benefits to installing air ventilation sensors, such as increased asset value, appealing to tenants who prioritise sustainability and advanced energy management. In terms of addressing technical and maintenance challenges, opting for expert maintenance providers that offer regular calibration, updates and support services is key to mitigating concerns as and when they arise. Basic in-house training can also be provided to staff to ensure they are educated on the upkeep of air ventilation sensors. Finally, implementing robust data security measures and ensuring compliance with relevant privacy regulations can help to address worries surrounding data privacy. Anonymised data collection options are also available to help further minimise these concerns.
Looking to the future
The future of air ventilation sensors in smart buildings looks promising, despite the challenges. There is potential in numerous sectors for air ventilation sensors to solve unique problems, for instance, helping to improve poor air quality in prisons, all the way to facilitating clean, well-ventilated air in healthcare facilities. Overall, the integration of air ventilation sensors offers numerous benefits, including improved air quality, energy efficiency and overall building performance – not to mention the minimised environmental impacts. However, addressing the concerns surrounding their usage are key to facilitating widespread adoption across industries.
8 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2024 Read the latest at:
www.bsee.co.uk
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