CCN editor, Sandra Rossi, explains why HVACR should be at the centre of energy efficiency plans.
Try to imagine a business plan to improve energy efficiency that does not include HVACR.
It is hard to believe but it’s not unusual.
We know HVACR isn’t always at the top of the agenda in business discussions, particularly at budget allocation time when there are a lot of competing interests vying for attention.
As we know every department within an organisation will have a different perspective.
For example, ask anyone in HVACR about rising utility costs and they’re likely to talk about energy-hungry chillers and smart HVAC controls. Their focus will be dominated by occupant comfort.
It’s a different story in the IT department where the conversation will be directed to slick software and the benefits of data analytics. Naturally the focus will be on operational efficiency.
Talk to building professionals and the priority is cost-cutting with the conversation shifting to the growing adoption of building automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Each conversation will be different even though the end game is the same.
We all want to increase energy efficiency while also reducing costs and improving occupant comfort. While a lot of maintenance in the plant room today is automated it is still early days for AI.
We’ve seen how AI-powered HVAC systems are responding to occupancy patterns and weather conditions – adjusting settings in real time. But where’s the self-operating building that requires no human intervention and enables maximum energy efficiency?
Now that’s the big promise of AI. We want a highly effective tool that can analyse a multitude of internal and external data points to ensure buildings are operating at their best (and that includes HVAC systems).
These analytics will provide accurate predictions for every zone in the building 24/7. That’s right our self-operating building requires no human intervention.
That’s the unrealised dream but, as we know, implementing technology is never as easy as the sales pitch. CCN would love to know how technology is transforming your workplace and HVAC systems. Email sandrarossi@yaffa.com.au✹