The crucial role of BMS in optimising the energy efficiency of a building

With energy efficiency now a priority for all buildings, it has never been more important to eliminate wasted energy. Here we look at how, when used correctly, a building management system (BMS) can help achieve this goal.

Energy is among the largest single costs to an organisation, especially given the high prices for energy in recent years. In addition to this, all organisations are under pressure to minimise their environmental impact. The 2050 net zero deadline is now just 25 years away with a considerable way to go to meet this target. Furthermore, consumers, other businesses and potential employees are now much more aware of sustainability and are increasingly choosing businesses that can demonstrate their credentials in this area.

The role of a BMS

Building management systems offer centralised control of a wide range of equipment and systems within a building from heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) to lighting. This means that a BMS can control and monitor as much as 60% of the energy consumed in a building. While a BMS will typically offer reduced energy consumption compared to running the building systems independently, it is essential that the BMS is operating effectively and efficiently to minimise unnecessary energy usage.

A best practice approach to optimisation

The complexity of managing a wide range of systems efficiently, means that it can be challenging to identify where energy is being wasted. This is why it is advisable to partner with a BMS specialist, such as ABEC, with the knowledge and experience required to optimise energy usage in the long-term.

The first step is to fully audit the energy usage within the building. By taking a holistic view of the building’s performance, an audit can identify where energy is being used and how improvements can be made. There are often low- or no-cost measures that can be taken to achieve an immediate energy saving. This could include ensuring HVAC plant is not running when the building is empty.

Beyond these initial adjustments, the audit will identify opportunities to improve performance. At ABEC, we will often recommission the system to ensure it is optimised for the current usage. Based on what we have achieved for clients, we know this can deliver around 15 percent savings and organisations will typically see a return on investment through reduced energy usage in less than 12 months.

However, keeping the building’s systems operating at these improved levels of efficiency is essential for sustained energy reductions. That is why we work with clients on an ongoing basis to maintain these changes and prevent alterations that would adversely affect the energy efficiency. This can be achieved through the use of advanced analytics. For example, our ABEC AnalytiX solution includes real-time monitoring of a range of factors and provides alerts to any energy usage issues. This includes where settings, such as occupancy hours, have been temporarily altered but not returned to normal. By monitoring for these issues, ABEC AnalytiX can achieve a further 15 to 20 percent saving.

The BMS has an important role in controlling energy within a building, but its performance must be optimised and monitored to prevent unnecessary energy usage.

Find out more about how we can help your organisation achieve real energy savings here.