Heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC)Sustainable automation and improved comfort for users
One aim of heating, ventilation and air conditioning is to maintain comfortable room conditions for users and to ensure appropriate comfort when a room is occupied. This should be achieved using as little energy as possible. At the same time, the potential for optimization when changes in occupancy or use occur can be exploited in order to reduce operating energy costs, protect the environment and conserve energy resources.
It all depends on connectivity
SBC offers proven automation products for controlling and operating primary systems in buildings: Saia PCD controllers for modular system automation with up to 13 communication interfaces. They are ideal for simultaneous communication via BACnet and LON. At the same time, Web Panels MB and pWeb Panels MB allow flexible and intuitive touchscreen operation of the entire building-automation system.
Because we spend most of our time in enclosed rooms, room conditions are very important for our health and, in administrative and office buildings, for our productivity, too. The relevant factors are influenced by various system groups. For example by HVAC (pleasant room temperature, good air quality) or electrical systems (light for sufficient brightness or blinds to control sunlight, the effects of daylight or heat radiation). In order to keep control of these factors, automation functions that extend across system groups and suitable components are needed.
Automation offers benefits when it comes to energy consumption too. In the European Union (EU), around 40% of all energy is used for buildings. Room heating and cooling account for 85% of this, while electrical energy, especially for lighting, accounts for 15%. There is enormous potential for optimizing energy use. Along with thermal insulation and the use of energy-efficient devices, building automation plays a key role here. Connecting all heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, shading and other systems in a building is the key to energy efficiency and optimizing operating costs.
The operating phase of a building plays a key role in reducing operating costs as 80% of life-cycle costs are incurred during this phase. Half of this are energy costs which could be reduced with an intelligent building-automation system.