SMART HVAC CONTROLS


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The increasing importance of smart controls in HVAC efficiency


Stacey Lucas, President of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) reveals the vital role that smart controls play in improving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) efficiency and the resultant energy consumption improvements


W


ith the built environment contributing to around 40% of the UK’s carbon footprint, and the government targeting Net Zero


by 2050, building owners and property developers are under increasing pressure to meet sustainability targets. This exacerbates the need to identify ways of reducing consumption and improving energy efficiency.


The tightening sustainability targets and energy efficiency standards are increasing the importance of reducing carbon emissions in any UK commercial building. The rising energy costs seen across the UK further add to the challenges facing property owners and occupiers. To encourage public sector bodies and building managers to utilise energy efficient systems and processes, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero introduced the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS), which will provide more than £1.4 billion in grants to help fund heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency measures. This gives public estates managers the ideal opportunity to take advantage of the latest advancements in technology, such as building energy management systems (BEMS), and the incredible energy efficiency benefits they offer – especially when they are utilised in HVAC management.


Enhanced occupant comfort and wellbeing


Not just limited to public sector buildings, implementing a BEMS into any commercial building enables the optimisation of heating, cooling, and ventilation systems to ensure better air quality. As


24 March 2025


a result, this improves occupant comfort, wellbeing and productivity while reducing the environmental footprint and the resultant energy bills. Efficient HVAC management also allows facility managers and building owners to automate their cooling and heating systems based on occupancy levels and need – reducing wasted energy and cutting down expenditure.


Data-driven decisions


By providing real-time data and accurate information on the energy usage of buildings, BEMS enable owners to make informed decisions about their HVAC performance and energy consumption. Consequently, they’re able to optimise buildings for better energy efficiency and achieve more stringent sustainability targets. Additionally, the valuable data and insights


provided can help facility managers and building owners detect potential failures and equipment issues to enable the prioritising and planning of regular system upgrades and maintenance activities. This ensures a proactive maintenance strategy, while also reducing downtime and the often significant repair costs associated with that.


The correct utilisation of data is crucial


Having the necessary equipment to provide up-to- date and accurate information on energy usage and system performance is hugely important. However, this is minimised if the end users’ needs have not been considered at the very beginning. It’s therefore crucial that clients are engaged with at the start of


the building design or refurbishment project, and that the right smart technology is implemented. Of course, understanding a huge amount of


information can often be overwhelming, so it’s equally important that the facility managers, building owners, and even occupants are able to comprehend the data they’re being given and use it to improve energy efficiency and sustainability practices around the building. While this is primarily down to teaching the individuals how to use the BEMS software once installed, there is also a need for the building controls sector as a whole to increase awareness on the benefits of building energy management and the correct utilisation of data. In fact, many building owners aren’t aware of


how much BEMS can help them reduce energy consumption and improve energy efficiency. Plus, they don’t realise the comfort and productivity benefits that come with automated heating, lighting, air conditioning, and ventilation. While AI is enhancing the way data is collected in BEMS, it still requires the human touch to utilise it in the correct way. Whether it’s the facilities management team, the building owner, or the end user, having someone able to interpret the data and understand the best way to control the HVAC equipment is vital.


The efficient optimisation and management of


HVAC systems relies on smart controls and how the collected data is understood and used. With the need for smart buildings ever-increasing, more education is needed on the benefits of BEMS and the correct implementation of data – for the benefit of not only the end user but the sector as a whole.


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