Integrated Building Automation Systems (BAS) are becoming increasingly popular in commercial building portfolios. These systems allow facility managers to monitor and control various building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, access control, and fire safety, from a single platform. In this blog post, we outline three key benefits of integrated BAS for commercial building portfolios and provide real-world examples of how these systems have helped improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.
Three Key Benefits of Integrated BAS for Commercial Building Portfolios
Integrated BAS systems can help improve energy efficiency by optimizing the performance of various building systems. For instance, an integrated BAS system can automatically adjust the temperature and lighting in a building based on occupancy levels, which can help reduce energy consumption and lower costs. When occupancy levels are low, the BAS can minimize ventilation rates to save energy. Conversely, during high-occupancy periods, it can boost ventilation rates, improve indoor air quality, and ensure that occupants can breathe comfortably, be productive, and perform at their best. Additionally, integrated BAS systems can use occupancy sensors and time schedules to control lighting and HVAC systems, ensuring that they are only running when needed and at optimal levels. By reducing energy usage during periods of low occupancy, such as nights and weekends, a BAS can help to significantly reduce energy costs.
Integrated BAS systems can help reduce maintenance costs and reduce carbon footprint by providing facility managers with real-time data on the performance of various building systems such as HVAC, lighting, card access, security, life safety, and even specialty systems such as nurse call systems in healthcare facilities. It can also monitor utilities such as electricity and gas in real time. This data can help facility managers identify potential issues and areas of inefficiency before they become major problems, which can help reduce downtime and repair costs. For example, if an HVAC system is not functioning optimally, the BAS can alert facility managers to the issue, allowing them to address the problem before it leads to a complete system failure. By identifying and addressing issues early, facility managers can help reduce repair costs and minimize downtime, which can help improve the overall efficiency of the building. Additionally, integrated BAS systems can help facility managers track the performance of various building systems over time, allowing them to identify trends and patterns that may indicate the need for maintenance or replacement. By proactively addressing maintenance issues, facility managers can help extend the lifespan of building systems and reduce the need for costly repairs or replacements.
Integrated BAS systems can help improve occupant comfort by providing facility managers with real-time data on temperature, humidity, and other environmental factors. This data can help facility managers identify areas of the building that may be too hot or too cold and adjust to improve occupant comfort. For example, if the temperature in a particular area of the building is too high, the BAS can alert facility managers to the issue, allowing them to adjust the temperature to a more comfortable level. Similarly, if the humidity in a particular area of the building is too low, the BAS can alert facility managers to the issue, allowing them to adjust the humidity to a more comfortable level.
Real-World Examples of Integrated BAS for Commercial Building Portfolios
Many companies have successfully implemented integrated BAS systems in their commercial building portfolios, including some high-profile, iconic, real estate. For example, the Empire State Building in New York City implemented an integrated BAS system that helped reduce energy consumption by 38% and save $4.4 million in energy costs annually. Similarly, the Bank of America Tower in New York City implemented an integrated BAS system that helped reduce energy consumption by 50% and save $2.3 million in energy costs annually.
When to Talk to an Expert
Integrated BAS systems offer several benefits for commercial building portfolios, including improved energy efficiency, reduced maintenance costs, and improved occupant comfort but to create a system that’s right for your business, especially if you have legacy systems in place, will take some professional insight and expertise.
A BAS professional, like Mantis Innovation's Efficiency Solutions team, can help integrate multiple BAS from different solution providers by leveraging their expertise in building automation and energy management.
For example, if a client acquires new buildings that are using Honeywell but their legacy systems are Johnson Controls, Mantis Innovation can help overcome these challenges by developing a customized solution that integrates the two systems. This could involve creating a middleware layer that connects the two systems and allows them to communicate with each other, or it could involve developing a new system that replaces the legacy system while still leveraging the existing infrastructure.
Each client has specific needs, organizational goals, and budgetary constraints so working with an expert who is versed in multiple systems and different architectures will lead to a solution tailored to the client’s unique requirements.
Contact a Mantis pro today to up your BAS game.
