Many commercial properties with intermittent activities, such as churches, event halls, and sports arenas, may go largely underused for most of the day but may be packed with a large number of occupants for relatively short periods of time.
A variety of technology-based problem-solving measures allow a single commercial property owner to track occupancy and HVAC system needs, receive real-time alerts, and make adjustments remotely to multiple smart buildings.
Top Smart Building Solutions for Facilities With Varying Occupancy
A comprehensive plan is needed to monitor and regulate buildings with wide-ranging day-to-day occupancy. This starts with a Building Automation System (BAS), which helps to centralize the necessary controls for regulating indoor environments, security, and energy usage, among other things. When a BAS is connected to the cloud, an operations manager can receive real-time data to implement the following smart building solutions from off-site locations.
1: Install HVAC Control Systems
It's not uncommon for places of worship, gymnasiums, and grange halls to turn down heating and cooling systems during much of the week. Many places of worship hold services on weekends and gather only one other day. Gymnasium use is primarily driven by scheduled sporting events and practices. Grange halls may only host monthly or seasonal events.
During the unused stretches, preset temperature settings and inadequate ventilation take their toll. The good news is that smart building IoT solutions can resolve these issues while increasing efficiency and saving money.
HVAC units are ideal systems for smart building IoT technologies. Sensors and devices can be installed to monitor internal temperatures, moisture, and other elements. By employing seamless cloud connectivity to manage this and other facets of the building, the quality of your building won't decline.
2: Use IoT Lighting Controls
Smart building IoT devices have emerged as an ideal way to control lighting systems. Rather than inviting burglars by leaving the lights off or wasting energy by keeping specific lighting systems running, smart buildings provide effective solutions. Property owners and overseers can use sensors to make automated lighting adjustments throughout the day and week. Indoor and outdoor lighting can be automated to turn on and off in a sensible fashion.
The majority of smart buildings' IoT sensors can be manipulated by most handheld devices. This allows users to turn on the lights of a lodge, conference hall, or other occasionally used building.
3: Leverage an Energy Management System (EMS)
An EMS allows facility administrators to understand how and where energy is utilized. Smart building IoT technologies track energy usage over time and help identify spaces that experience unusually high or unnecessary use. If, for instance, you manage a series of getaway rentals that are running up utility bills when not occupied, a smart buildings' EMS provides actionable intel. You'll understand how, when, and where energy is being wasted. By using remote access technology such as ODIN to make adjustments, property owners promptly start saving money.
4: Security and Access Control Technologies
Smart buildings are integrating security systems that rely on biometric access technologies. These typically involve devices that identify people with security clearance through facial recognition software. Other smart buildings deploy IoT-driven surveillance cameras that may fire off an alert if an unauthorized individual crosses their path. Whether you operate rentals through Airbnb, Vrbo, or are responsible for a local organization's brick-and-mortar security, smart building IoT proves a reliable solution.
5: Predictive Maintenance Oversight
The data provided by IoT sensors and AI analytics help decision-makers schedule routine maintenance. These smart building IoT solutions also help operations professionals avert system shutdowns due to equipment malfunctions.
Imagine your facility has scheduled a significant conference or event. Just as the HVAC powers up, it fails, leaving attendees uncomfortable. Needless to say, your facility and management skills are likely to see a bunch of bad reviews trending online.
These types of setbacks can be averted through IoT sensors and cloud-connected monitoring solutions. When an HVAC component begins to show signs of failing, you receive a notification and be able to schedule repairs before a catastrophe ensues. The same principle applies to other smart building systems.
Connect With ODIN
If you own or manage a building that is not always occupied, ODIN provides remote connectivity from any handheld device. The ODIN software solution works with BAS and EMS technologies to deliver real-time information to eliminate problems associated with extended vacancies, unregulated climate controls, security measures, and energy waste. If you would like to learn more, contact us today.
