Category: Smart Automation

A continuation from our last blog where we talked about the energy consuming elements and areas of clubhouses.  This article explores the options available for managers of such facilities to find ways to conserve energy and lower the electricity bills of the facility.  A key to successfully enhance energy efficiency in these kinds of facility is operating the energy consuming equipment as per the requirements while integrating them with an automation that allows control and monitoring of this equipment in an energy conserving manner. In this way the requirements are met without any discomfort to the building occupants/club members, while lowering the electricity bills at the same time. The count of the light fixtures and air-conditioning units shows a tremendous energy savings potential which can be achieved by just retrofitting the fluorescent lights and controlling the lighting and air-conditioning units as required.

We examined the potential for 3 types of efficiencies:

1. Replacing incandescent, CFL, metal halide and sodium vapor lamps with LEDs

Replacing incandescent, CFL for indoor lighting with LED’s and for exterior lighting, replacing sodium vapor and metal halide lamps with LED’s can easily result in reducing lighting power consumption by almost 50%.

2. Using Sensors to trigger Air Conditioning and Lighting in all feasible areas

Sensors that automatically control lights and air conditioning system is one way of automating the facility to conserve energy. These sensors typically operate using PIR to sense motion in the areas of their range and based on that they can send control signals to other devices that control the lights and the air conditioners. These are appropriate for indoor use and since air conditioning is a large energy consuming asset, such sensors can easily end up reducing between 10-25% of the energy consumption both for lighting and air conditioning by turning them off when no people are present.

3. Using Centralized Lighting and Air Conditioning control for common areas and utilities as well as some aspects of Guest room

While using timer controlled switches for common area lighting both in interior and exterior was one of the older ways to control consumption, the more recent approach like Building Management systems (BMS) offer another way to further integrate all the energy consuming elements (lights, fans, air conditioners, pumps, motors, etc.) within a building or campus to have a central control of the facility. In the case of BMS systems the energy efficiencies are gained through centralized scheduling of lighting and air conditioning and turning off pumps automatically when water level in tanks reaches optimal levels.

The system can also take command to switch-off the devices in any room in case the space is not occupied. The BMS system allows integration of smart energy meters thereby helping to monitor the energy consumption on a regular basis from the central system. It can warn of problems, by flagging sudden changes in consumption of energy. Often the BMS system can easily improve energy consumption of all electrical assets it controls, by between 15-20%.

Understandably, most of these are old facilities and not easy to rewire, so the latest technologies often use wireless communication and networking to work, easing implementation and deployment. If the buildings are large and wireless range is an issue then a system that is a combination of wired and wireless option can help. This helps in scheduling of all the energy consuming loads as per the requirement.

In case of a high irrigation requirement a well-designed water control system equipped with VFD and timer controls can help in efficient operation. The system when further integrated with moisture sensors helps in optimum use of water and the consumption data can also be recorded into the system with the use of smart water meters. Often this can be integrated with the BMS system mentioned earlier.

Automation is not just for comfort of the building occupants/club member but helps in reducing the utility bills of the facility and making the facility management and operations smoother. BuildTrack is one of the companies provides a wide variety of the solutions described above for all kind of facilities with the objective of quick paybacks (usually 12 months or under) and deployment options that are quick and do not disrupt the aesthetics of the facility.  Read more on energy efficiency solutions here https://www.buildtrack.in/energy-efficiency-solutions

In our last blog we talked about how sensors can create both energy savings and convenience for your Lights or Air Conditioners. Switching off lights and appliances is one of the best know ways to save electricity. But at times we forget to switch them off when not needed. This can lead to energy wastage and thereby could shoot up your electricity bills.  Let us look specifically at why Sensorizing your Air Conditioners WILL help reduce energy consumption.

Based on a study of energy consumption in non-residential buildings by various organizations, Air Conditioners account for almost 30-50% of the energy consumption in Buildings as shown below.

Figure: Distribution of Energy Consumption in non-residential buildings

How does Sensorizing Helps?

A significant percent of the energy consumed by Air Conditioners is wasted. Such wastage can typically be anywhere between 15-30% of the energy consumed by Air Conditioners.  Sensorizing means that Air Conditioners are controlled automatically by Wireless Motion Sensors. . There are many ways in which this can be accomplished based on the specific circumstance that is useful, for example:

1. Each Air Conditioner can be automatically turned ON/OFF based on OCCUPANCY (movement) detected in the room
2. Air Conditioner can be automatically turned OFF based on VACANCY (lack of movement) detected but only switched ON by user with remote
3. In case of Air Conditioner being turned ON automatically, the set temperature can be returned to a default (24°C) when Air Conditioner is turned back ON

All of these not only save energy and reduce energy related costs, they provide convenience to the user through the automation that they provide. Sensorize today and stop energy wastage.  Read more https://www.buildtrack.in/zero-energy-wastage/index.html

In many locations within work places or homes, energy is wasted when light, fans, air conditioners, exhaust fans and many other devices are left ON in spaces which are unoccupied or have adequate daylight. This is a significant burden on your power bills and can be avoided using Sensors. What are these sensors and how do they help to reduce energy?

Sensors are usually designed to “sense” something in or around it, and report what it finds out to other devices that then take action. Sensors can deliver up to 20% reduction in energy consumption. Here are some examples of typical sensors that help with energy reduction

• Motion Sensors are able to sense even minute movements within a certain range and this indicates that there may be people around in that location. It can communicate this information to control lights, Air Conditioners, Fans, Exhaust Fans and other devices turn them ON or OFF.
•  Lux Sensors are able to sense the level of natural daylight available around it, and communicate it to control lights to turn them OFF or keep them ON

What do these sensors communicate the information to once they sense something? How do they actually help to turn devices ON or OFF?  These sensors can be directly wired to the devices like lights and AC’s, which while helpful creates other issues such as unsightly wiring and other complexities. The evolution of wireless RF (radio frequency) technology offers the option of Wireless Sensors which communicate wirelessly to other devices called Nodes. These Nodes usually contain Relays or IR control mechanisms that can either toggle switches to ON/OFF or send IR signals to turn devices ON/OFF.  These nodes can be connected to various switches or placed near IR controlled devices (like AC, TV). On receiving communication wirelessly from the Sensors they will operate the devices. This solution is unique in that there is no change in aesthetics of the room and a single sensor can control multiple devices simultaneously.  Wireless sensors are also quick to be deployed, in most cases within an hour or less in a room.

Sensors can therefore provide huge value both in terms of energy saving as well as convenience as users don’t have to explicitly remember to turn ON/OFF devices. They can pay for themselves quickly depending on how much power wastage is ongoing in a space and not to mention that they increase the life of the assets themselves, especially LED lighting, fans and Air Conditioners

Read more: https://www.buildtrack.in/zero-energy-wastage/index.html

Today smart home technologies have become affordable and middle-class households are all using some form of smart home automation or the other. The driving factors for homeowners looking to invest in a home automation system in the order of priority include:

1. Security
2. Convenience & Energy Efficiency
3. Comfort & Prestige

A survey by Schneider Electric shows that for HomeOwner, Security by far is the biggest driver for automating their homes with over half of the surveyed population citing it as their primary reason for choosing home automation. Convenience and Energy Efficiency are the second primary reason for the choice and about a third of the surveyed population citing this as their primary reason. Comfort & Prestige was also cited, but only by a sixth of the surveyed population.

As per an article in MoneyControl, every year, the uptake of smart homes in India is increasing by between 15-18% in tier 1 cities and by between 5-10% in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Over 1.5million homes in India are expected to have some form of Automation by 2020 as per data provided by Statista.

Though used generically as Smart Automation, there are many flavors that can be chosen by customer based on their needs and budgets. These include cameras, smart door locking systems electronically enabled lighting and HVAC systems, fire and gas leakage detection systems, energy efficiency monitoring, entertainment systems, etc. While all this comes at a cost, a Schneider Survey identifies that middle-class home owners are willing to consider an investment of 2-3% of their home price as being reasonable for such needs. High end homeowner are willing to expend double that.

What should it look for when choosing home automation? See which of the following items are covered:

• WHAT IT CONTROLS: Lighting, Fan, AC, Plug socket, Curtain/Blind, Remote door unlock, Music
• WHAT IT MONITORS: Fire/Smoke, Gas Leak, Home Intrusion, Door Monitoring (VDP) & Remote Locks, Panic button
• HOW IT MONITORS: Event based notifications (Apps), Local Alarms

BuildTrack offers a wide range of solutions covering all these aspects of Home Automation. To learn more follow this link https://www.buildtrack.in/home-automation-india

Home or Workspace Automation typically refers to technology that enables these living or working spaces to communicate and interact with the occupant. The intent of the communication is to enhance the occupant’s experience of that space by making it more safe, secure, comfortable, convenient and also energy conserving. There are many perspectives to view Automation from based on the outcomes it provides, for example,

• It enables a home that scares intruders away when they break-in and reduces losses for the owners through quick action
• It can mean curtains or blinds that automatically open in the morning and close when the sun is too bright for the convenience of occupants and to conserve energy
• It can mean Smoke and gas leak Sensors that catch potential disaster situation early enough to save lives and stop major property damage
• It can mean Cameras that allow surveillance of a home from anywhere and doors that can be opened remotely for convenience reasons

There was a time when automation was only affordable on some commercial buildings and the highest-end homes. But nowadays home automation is within reach for those consumers who look forward to making their home a smart home and for any office or building as well. Home and Workplace Automation is a rapidly growing area of technology in India, however, it is also a new area of technology where there is insufficient clarity on the system and the various features. This lack of clarity holds back people from adopting these technologies that can help them. Companies such as ours are providing educational events to help individuals to learn more about the underlying technology and how it works and the relevant parts and pieces that constitute the system. These are presented in the form of webinars that you can attend and also ask questions. If you would like to know more about this topic or attend a webinar at no cost, then look for more home automation ideas, then do visit https://www.buildtrack.in/home-automation-india and explore.