AI Drives High-Performing Buildings
Smart technologies automate processes and improve building performance
(Courtesy of Trane)
Decarbonization is the new imperative. Buildings throughout the U.S. are facing federal, state, and local requirements to help lower energy use intensity. In addition, many building engineers are working proactively to help increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon footprints. Artificial intelligence-driven HVAC controls are part of this solution, helping building owners and operators meet these goals.
Energy Savings and Comfort
For decades, there has been an implicit building operations tradeoff: energy savings versus comfort. Fortunately, the thermostat wars should be coming to an end. AI-based controls are a powerful tool to help enhance comfort and reduce energy use.
AI systems are particularly good at aggregating, interpreting, and acting on diverse data streams. These technologies can help manage information about temperature, humidity, existing equipment, occupancy, and many other factors. They can crunch data from weather forecasts and anticipate building needs hours in the future. These capabilities allow AI systems to help determine the most efficient control strategy and implement it immediately, helping reduce HVAC energy use and enhancing comfort.
As a result, these smart systems can help lower energy bills and carbon emissions and support organizations’ efforts to achieve their sustainability goals.
The Low Bar to Entry
One of the many advantages of AI controls is that they adapt to the needs of each building. Some organizations may not have the budget flexibility to purchase all-new, high-efficiency mechanical equipment. Perhaps that happens down the road, but it’s important to note that a complete upgrade is not required.
Even older equipment can be more efficient when modern controls help govern their activity. Sophisticated controls and other building management systems support refined system sequencing, scheduling, and other mechanisms to improve the existing ecosystem.
Trane Autonomous Control, for example, helps improve existing equipment’s performance. The cloud-based service automatically identifies issues and enhances equipment performance around the clock. These capabilities help reduce energy consumption and costs, which in turn eases implementation.
Minimal overhead can make adopting a phased rollout strategy relatively straightforward. Savings provided by advanced controls are reinvested into more modern equipment, helping reduce costs and creating a positive cycle that can continue to boost efficiency with minimal capital investment.
The Fruits of Automation
AI systems require less oversight, which can be particularly useful in an impacted labor market. Experienced facility engineers can develop a feel for their buildings, making various tweaks throughout the day. This is incredibly helpful, but it’s also quite time-consuming. Advanced controls can provide similar insights automatically, freeing the engineering team to perform other duties.
Over time, AI-powered controls provide the necessary energy efficiency to help meet sustainability goals. Best of all, there are no tradeoffs – comfort and efficiency go hand in hand.
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