From building automation systems to energy analysis software, the HVAC sector is constantly developing more efficient and sustainable technologies for heating our buildings. Victoria Hattersley reports.
Stepping Up Efficiency in HVAC H
VAC systems are the subject of sustainability and efficiency improvements in many areas. This is due in part to the huge amount of energy they can consume, and in part to the high costs related to their installation, operation and maintenance. According to the Carbon Trust, heating and hot water can account for 60 per cent of a building’s total energy use, while ventilation can account for around 30 per cent of heat loss in commercial buildings. Meanwhile, air-conditioning can increase a building’s energy consumption and associated carbon emissions by up to 100 per cent. Fortunately, there are ways in which we can save energy and make these systems more efficient. Given the unstoppable rise of Industry 4.0, intelligent building solutions are of course a part of this. A study prepared in
14 Industry Europe
2014 for eu.bac (European Building Automation and Controls Association) looked at the potential energy savings from the increased application of heating controls in residential properties across the European Union. Results show that the enhanced adoption of existing heating control technologies (2014) in EU homes led to peak annual energy savings of over 50TWh per year, nominal fuel bill savings of around €4.3 billion and CO2 savings of nearly 12MtCO2 per year. Below are just some of the areas of focus for the HVAC industry today.
Building automation systems Many of us will already have a smart thermostat in our house. These operate very much like a programmable thermostat but take the technology to the next level by