Building controls

Building controls can adapt a building’s heating, ventilation, cooling and lighting according to changing requirements. Your company could significantly reduce its energy costs by simply installing controls and making sure they are set, operated and maintained correctly.

The building controls technology overview (PDF) gives an introduction to the main building control energy saving opportunities for businesses.

	Introduction		3 types of control system
	Maintenance		Publications and resources
	Upgrading equipment and systems

Introduction

Well-managed building controls can help reduce the costs associated with:

Energy
Maintenance
Repair and replacement

Unfortunately, about 90% of all building control systems are inadequate – which costs industry and commerce over £500 million a year in additional energy costs.

The 3 main types of building control are: Time controls, Occupant controls and Condition controls.

Our top 3 recommended carbon saving measures are:

• Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
Computer-based system that automatically monitors and controls a range of building services. It can also provide energy performance data to support a targeted energy savings programme.

A Building Energy Management System can deliver energy efficiency improvements of 10-20%, compared with an independent control. Buildings with changing usage and occupation patterns will greatly benefit from having a Building Energy Management System installed.
How to implement a building energy management system

• Review control set-points
It is essential to check that a control system is set up to deal correctly with different levels of building occupancy and weather.

• Variable Speed Drives (VSDs)
Pumps and fans use a high proportion of a building’s electricity – a Variable Speed Drive makes sure a fan or pump only operates at the speed necessary to fulfil current demands. Find out more about motors and drives.

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