How is IoT able to digitalize buildings and make them smart ?
In the Smart Building, the IoT offers a wealth of productivity whether for predictive maintenance, space occupancy analysis, air quality monitoring or energy monitoring. By positioning sensors at different locations in the building, it is possible to collect information in real time on consumption, temperature in the various spaces, air quality, etc. There is no need to wait for a large energy bill before implementing improvements.
Why is there so much interest in IoT in buildings? The benefits are obvious: ease of deployment, no network configuration required for installation, no wiring, increasingly low costs and infrequent battery replacement that does not require technical intervention.
What are the benefits of IoT?
A connected building is an attractive building with an increased use value. This is due to the savings linked to energy performance, the simplification of maintenance operations and the improvement of the user experience in the building. In this article, we have concentrated for you these 3 daily uses to which the IoT responds.
Reducing energy consumption in buildings
Sensors in buildings allow energy monitoring even where traditional solutions cannot go. By installing sensors at the heart of the equipment, it becomes possible to sub-meter electricity, water or gas consumption to bring up key information. But that's not all. The sensors are also able to adjust the lighting in the room according to the presence in the room or the weather data. Or identify abnormally high temperatures to send alerts. This information is analysed and centralised by an intelligent building management solution, allowing you to control equipment, optimise your energy supplier contracts and comply with current regulations.
Optimising building operations
Improving the connectivity of a building also opens up new opportunities for building managers, especially in terms of equipment management. Connected sensors send real-time information on the operating status of equipment, even in the most sensitive areas. The result? Systems are revised predictively, i.e. before they break down, thanks to the link with an artificial intelligence that anticipates the risks of malfunction. A sensor installed on a rooftop will therefore alert the manager in real time in the event of a water leak, which will enable him to plan and optimise his maintenance operations. He will be able to call in a technician for a preventive intervention without having to travel, thereby reducing his maintenance costs.
Improving the well-being and satisfaction of occupants
With the IoT, managers participate in the well-being of occupants in a building. Occupants get real-time information about the building to meet their increasingly demanding expectations in terms of lighting, air quality or humidity. They also benefit from additional services to take control of their working environment, such as connecting IoT sensor data with traditional systems. For example, the use of presence sensors in conjunction with heating systems can help regulate the temperature according to the presence in the room. The connected building thus creates a pleasant environment and contributes to the productivity of office workers.
The opportunities offered by the IoT are considerable. But connectivity also means cyber security risks. Companies are therefore faced with new threats in terms of data security. The choice of an IoT solution must therefore take security into account with an "End-to-End" approach. After all, the attractive price of an IoT sensor often has consequences for the integrated protection measures and mechanisms.
