Reasons Why you Need a Building Automation System

Building Automation Systems, BAS, are the standard for controlling heating, cooling, and lighting systems in modern buildings. BAS systems are composed of digital controllers at the equipment level with input and output wiring. These communicate on a BAS Communication link up to one or more system level controllers or front ends. These in turn may be managed by a supervisory server monitoring and controlling one or more buildings or facilities. Why do you need a BAS and what benefits do they provide? 

There are four main categories of benefits of a BAS system: Energy Management, Occupant Comfort, Equipment Lifecycle, and Optimized Service.

Energy Management:

Modern HVAC and lighting equipment can follow a variety of control strategies far more complex than simply ON/OFF logic. These strategies are generally built to increase the energy efficiency of the controlled equipment. Modulating the capacity on devices like pumps, fans, hot and chilled water coils limit consumption to what is needed, instead of full on.

Control options, like setpoints and schedules, are used to run equipment only when needed and further reduce consumption. BAS systems provide powerful analytics to identify increased energy consumption and allow building operators to keep their facilities tuned up for optimal performance.

Occupant Comfort:

BAS systems provide building owners and facility managers the capability to control the conditions in a building, know when these conditions are outside of preset parameters, and adjust them ensure the building’s occupants are kept comfortable. 

Equipment Lifecycle:

Equipment that is not running properly may experience a reduced life span. For example, pumps or fans that are short cycling will require more frequent servicing and will not last as long as they should. A BAS system permits building owners and facility managers to keep equipment running within the manufacturers specifications and ensure a lengthy life cycle with reduced wear and tear.

Optimized Service:

BAS systems collect data and store the information in logs to assist in analyzing and correcting issues. When coupled with today’s remote access methods, issues can be corrected remotely, without the need to roll a truck, and more rapidly than waiting for the arrival of a service technician. By monitoring the equipment’s performance over time, a BAS can signal when it is time to service devices and make recommendations on the needs of the equipment that is up for service.