Data Analytics & Smart Building Science Articles | Buildings IOT Blog

According to the 2020 Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, building operations account for 55% of global electricity consumption and 38% of total global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Building-level energy metering can change that and help you implement an effective Building Energy Management program that creates a cleaner, greener future. 

While government incentives have encouraged electric utilities to deploy smart metering systems, the same has not happened for natural gas and water utilities. But lower-cost connectivity is accelerating demand for water and gas monitoring systems. In fact, the number of connected nodes for natural gas and water is expected to reach 150 million by 2028—a staggering 82% increase over a decade.

In hospitals, air quality counts. According to research at Texas A&M University, indoor air pollution in hospital environments increases the risk of hospital-acquired or healthcare-associated infections (HAI) to patients, staff, and visitors, and can have a significant impact on patient outcomes. Smart technology allows hospitals to take control of indoor air quality (IAQ) and support the health and well-being of everyone who comes through their doors.   

Since legalization, cannabis growers have sought out better ways to farm to meet demand without compromising quality. While outdoor cultivation offers a lower-cost approach for growing, crops grown outdoors are much more vulnerable to weather, pests, and other uncontrollable environmental issues. Indoor cultivation nixes these problems, allowing cultivators to control every aspect of plant growth. Yet, many wonder if indoor growing is sustainable in the long term due to the enormous amount of energy it requires.

Information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT) within buildings have historically stayed in their own siloes. But smart buildings are changing that. In intelligent built environments, building systems are becoming more connected than ever before and collaboration with IT infrastructure is becoming not just possible, but necessary.

The return on investment (ROI) of a commercial building reflects the profitability of facility investment. But ROI isn’t just about how much money an investment saves. It must also take into account how improvements impact occupant satisfaction, tenant retention, lease rates, and sales price.

In the past two years, monitoring indoor air quality has emerged as a top priority in building management. According to a 2020 study, 76% of U.S. consumers would feel more comfortable entering buildings in which air quality is being monitored. That sentiment can have a big impact on where people choose to live, work, and play. To maintain a healthy, safe, and appealing environment, you must start with knowing how to improve indoor air quality in buildings.

Commercial cannabis cultivation requires an enormous amount of energy. With increasing energy prices, growing competition, and ever-tightening regulations on the horizon, cultivators need to optimize energy efficiency to maintain market share and maximize profits. 

Though a majority of large commercial buildings deploy a conventional building management system (BMS), they fail to become more energy-efficient owing to the poor control technology of the BMS. The simple logic governing the control technology of a standard BMS also makes it challenging to strike the right balance between ensuring tenant comfort and optimizing energy consumption.

Safety of tenants and visitors is a priority for building management. Building owners and facility managers must comply with OSHA recommendations to ensure that anybody entering a building should not only be safe but feel safe as well. Combining smart facility management and safety through robust tech-driven solutions can help you protect occupants and create more inviting environments.