5.2. Building automation

We have already seen that we use the term “integrated home system” with regard to homes. For large buildings such as offices, schools, hospitals, etc., we use the term “building automation”. It is in fact the same technology. There are thus integrated home systems that can be used as building automation systems and vice versa.

The term “building automation” is often used for large buildings. (Illustration source: Merten)

The reasons behind building automation are however very different to those for installing integrated home systems. In the first instance the emphasis here is on energy savings. Thus in offices for example, presence detectors and light intensity sensors will frequently be used. The lighting can thus be switched off when somebody leaves the workplace, or the light can be dimmed when sufficient daylight is coming in. Not only is the lighting controlled, but also the heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems. Building automation involves more automation, control and management. Calculations show that investments in building automation systems (depending on the size of the building) pay for themselves within 3 to 5 years. The energy consumption is greatly reduced compared to a traditional installation.

Furthermore a building management system also offers considerable benefits with regard to flexibility. If a partition is installed in an open plan office because of a reorganisation, many cables have to be installed and new connections made. However, with building automation the system computer can be used to make a small adjustment to the program and download it to the system. The costs of a change or modification are much lower than with a traditional installation.