Adrian Barber from Prefect Controls explains the benefit of Building Energy Management Systems (BeMS), used for energy saving in student accommodation either autonomously or alongside a BMS.
Technological solutions are the only way to administer the control and monitoring of modern buildings.
What does a BMS do?
Building Management Systems (BMS) are designed for this purpose. They handle – lighting control, i.e., switching on and off according to scheduled events; control and monitoring of mechanical and electrical equipment; scheduling a heating system; and the adjustment of ventilation.
Add to this – door/access control; security and observation; fire and smoke detection; water valve control; people movement – lifts, escalators etc. And the building has a comprehensive system which, as well as providing control, helps with energy efficiency.
But this is more complex than is necessary in some situations. BMS play their part in switching equipment and controlling a building ‘en bloc’. But when energy saving is the primary objective, more precise control yields much greater savings.
One sector where this is demonstrated clearly is student accommodation.
IS BMS the right solution for student dwellings?
There are more than 1.7M rooms in the UK student estate. Many occupants are not directly responsible for paying the heating bill. Therefore they may not be as diligent about consuming energy efficiently. Automated control inside every one of these rooms pays dividends.
There are more than 1.7M rooms in the UK student estate. Many occupants are not directly responsible for paying the heating bill. Therefore they may not be as diligent about consuming energy efficiently. Automated control inside every one of these rooms pays dividends.
Many hundreds of rooms are inhabited by people with very different occupancy patterns and temperature preferences. Specifically in the case of international students. While a BMS is doing the heavy lifting, it simply cannot attend to the subtleties of individual room requirements.
Enter BeMS!
This is when the Building ENERGY Management System or BeMS enters the room. BeMS can work in conjunction with a BMS but also operate autonomously. By being ‘in each room’, monitoring occupancy, and controlling individual heaters, BeMS drive down unnecessary use of energy. (Irus BeMS)
So, how does it work.
A heater control mounted on the wall is pivotal in maintaining a comfortable, safe environment. But it ensures energy is only used when necessary. The controller adjusts the room temperature to the resident’s preference, but simultaneously collects and transfers data to the central monitoring system. Here Energy Managers oversee their entire estate via an internet portal.
As each new cohort of residents move in profiles for all rooms are programmed on the portal . Upper limits for temperatures and time periods are set. This means that heaters cannot be left at the maximum setting all term! If individual residents request slight variations to the standard profile, these are accommodated without the manager having to visit the room. At the end of the year the manager simply selects ‘ALL ROOMS’ then ‘STANDARD PROFILE’, and every room is reset.
Consumption is more predictable because energy input is controlled at point-of-use . If rooms are empty or windows are opened room providers are confident that energy isn’t being wasted.
Much more than a thermostat.
While the control unit is saving energy in student accommodation, it is also monitoring humidity, light, CO2 and sound pressure levels, and sending alerts if unusual conditions occur.
Even greater savings are made if water heating is also controlled by the BeMS. The measure of both water and electricity consumption is accurate as individual water heating cylinders are monitored. If you can measure it, you can manage it! (Water heating)
Optimise energy use.
A BeMS is an invaluable addition to any property as it uses smart devices to make buildings even smarter. Technology-based information and communication systems are effectively reading the room, and the tank. This provides targeted control at point-of-use, thus optimising performance and energy efficiency.
Control of individaul rooms, remotely, via a dedicated, secure internet portal means managers can keep students comfortable without having to enter their rooms.
