Building Automation: Represents savings for your company

What is building automation?

Building automation is based on the application of a remote, centralised management system in buildings with the objective of enabling the overall administration of the building and reducing energy consumption. It is currently considered to be a vital system for building the smart cities of the future.

It is designed for installations in the tertiary sector and complete buildings with a single use such as hotels, offices, commercial premises, restaurants, hospitals, gyms, industrial warehouses, schools, etc.

Building automation is applied in companies and large buildings, while home automation is used in homes. They both have the same objective: To reduce energy consumption and increase the comfort of the premises and the people who use them. Automatic energy control is essential in tertiary sector buildings because they often waste energy resources.

Main advantages of building automation

Building automation has a large number and a variety of advantages. Not only because of the improvements it provides with regard to comfort, but also because it can enable users to use energy more responsibly and efficiently which will reduce their electricity bills.

The most important advantages include the following:

Better security

An effective building automation system will improve important security factors including the supervision provided by surveillance and alarm systems, visualisation and flow through common areas, access control and fire detection mechanisms.

Energy control

It will enable the management of lighting and optimal air conditioning of general areas within the building(s). This will guarantee an energy balance capable of providing positive results in energy audits, which are mandatory for all large companies every four years.

Improvement in telecommunications

Building automation is ideal for monitoring and ensuring the overall smooth running of the building, from the lifts to the waste control and laundry systems.

Differences between home automation and building automation

Are building automation and home automation the same? No, but they are closely related. Home automation is applied exclusively to homes and makes it possible to turn an ordinary home into a digital space that is capable of optimising energy services, security, communication networks and, ultimately, the comfort of the people living there.

But building automation is not used in private homes. It is used to administer non-residential buildings, such as universities or town halls, as well as industrial and commercial premises.

The difference between these two technological systems can be summarised in the scale used, in the volume of the space where this technology is installed.

The differentiating factor of the dimensions of the premises does not prevent the same systems or products that are installed in a house from being applied in an office building or a hotel, and vice versa.  They can be adapted to each environment, but building automation will require a greater deployment and number of services and devices than for home automation.

What building automation is used for and how it is applied

Building automation reduces energy consumption

This is perhaps the main reason why many companies are committing to building automation. The results of this technological system will be seen in the utility bills, as it will enable the effective management of electricity, gas, water and air conditioning on the premises, a control that can be studied through the reports and records provided for each device on its energy consumption.

Improved comfort and user experience

Comfort can also be improved by applying this technological tool in large premises. Building automation will enable you to regulate and programme lighting, air conditioning, heating and even the blinds in the offices.

It can be controlled remotely

Just by opening an app or website, it is possible to programme and control any type of service and device within the company's offices. Everything from air conditioning to security systems can be monitored with a click.

It increase your company's security

Smart technology goes beyond comfort and savings on utility bills. Building automation has become one of the main security tools for companies. Sensors, cameras and other devices installed inside and outside buildings help detect smoke, fire, toxic gas leaks and electrical failures, as well as controlling the access and exit of people, vehicles and goods.

It makes maintenance easier

Another of the functionalities of building automation is maintaining control of and scheduling the cleaning of multiple spaces and systems in the building. Keeping count of the hours of use of air conditioners, boilers, monitoring the filters to know when they need to be changed, together with other maintenance services, are just some of the functions of building automation.

How building automation will help you save on your bills

Apart from providing comfort, security and keeping your business technologically updated, building automation is designed to be an important tool for saving on essential utility bills. Here are some ways to save money by applying this technology in your company:

To adjust the temperature

It can establish 27ºC in summer and 17ºC in winter in the internal air conditioning systems for the offices, this will significantly minimise the monthly demand for electricity.

Installing sensors and timers

These devices enable you to remotely regulate and monitor the correct operation of lights and the lighting system for each space in the building and offices and this is one of the main ways to save on your energy bill.

Programming variable speed drives

If your business uses motors that run constantly or for many hours at a time, you can install and programme variable speed drives. These devices control the rotational speed of the machinery to prevent energy losses. They can help you save up to 50% on your electricity bill.