Building Management

Smart Building benefits: The 9 advantages of digitally transforming your properties

Romain Philipon
Romain Philipon10 March 2023
5 min
tablet with graphs looking to technical equipment

A smart building is a structure that uses advanced technology by installing connected sensors, IoT devices, AI, or building management systems that collect and relay data to allow real-time monitoring and control of building systems.

Transforming properties into intelligent buildings can bring about a wide range of advantages, both for the property owner and the building's occupants.

Smart Building Benefits

Let's take a closer look at the nine benefits and how digitally transforming your facilities can reduce energy consumption, increase comfort, and improve operational performance.

Valuable Insights and Real-Time Data

One of the most significant smart building benefits is the ability to collect and analyze real-time data. Connected sensors and IoT devices, such as LoRaWAN equipment, can track everything from temperature and humidity to occupancy and energy consumption. By having access to this data and technology, building managers can make informed decisions about how to optimize building performance and improve energy efficiency.

For example, by monitoring energy consumption patterns, building managers can identify areas where energy waste is occurring and take steps to rectify the issue. This could involve upgrading equipment, adjusting HVAC settings, or implementing energy-efficient lighting solutions.

Real-time data can also be used to enhance occupant comfort and well-being. For instance, sensors can detect when a room is too hot or too cold and automatically adjust the temperature to ensure optimal comfort.

Reduce Energy Consumption and Energy Bill

By optimizing building performance based on real-time data insights, turning your building into a smart building can significantly reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.

Smart buildings achieve this by using energy-efficient lighting, heating, and cooling systems that are optimized based on occupancy patterns and real-time data. For example, if a room is not occupied, the lighting and HVAC systems can be automatically adjusted to conserve energy.

Additionally, by identifying areas where energy waste is occurring, building managers can take steps to reduce consumption and lower energy bills. This not only benefits the bottom line but also has a positive impact on the environment by reducing carbon emissions.

Reduced Operational Costs

In addition to reducing energy costs, smart buildings can also significantly reduce operational costs. By using real-time data to optimize building performance, smart buildings require less maintenance and can reduce the need for manual interventions. This results in lower labor costs and fewer downtime incidents.

Furthermore, automated building management systems can streamline operations and reduce the need for manual intervention. For instance, building managers can remotely monitor and control building systems from a central dashboard, reducing the need for on-site visits and manual adjustments. IoT technology enables digital services that help to comply with government regulations.

Predictive Maintenance and Lower Risks

Smart building technology also enables predictive maintenance strategies that significantly reduce downtime and lower the risk of equipment failure. By using real-time data to monitor equipment performance, building managers can identify potential issues before they become critical and take preventative action.

Predictive maintenance also reduces the need for emergency repairs, which can be costly and disruptive to building occupants. By proactively addressing equipment issues, building managers can minimize downtime and ensure that building systems are operating at peak performance.

Automating Building Management Systems

Another significant smart building benefit is the ability to automate building management. BMS systems allow you to remotely control building systems such as heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), lighting, and security. You can set schedules, and alarms, adjust settings, and monitor performance from a single interface. This level of control not only improves the efficiency of building management but also provides a more comfortable and convenient experience for occupants.

Improving Occupant Comfort and well-being

Smart buildings can enhance occupant comfort and well-being in several ways. IoT sensors can monitor indoor air quality, temperature, and humidity levels to ensure optimal conditions for health and productivity. BMS systems can also adjust lighting and HVAC systems based on occupancy, saving energy while maintaining a comfortable environment. Additionally, smart buildings can provide features such as touchless entry, contactless payment, and voice-activated controls to improve safety and hygiene.

Improving Work Efficiency and Productivity

Smart buildings can significantly improve work efficiency and productivity. With IoT sensors and BMS systems, building managers can monitor and adjust the building environment in real time, making immediate changes to optimize energy usage and indoor conditions. Smart buildings can also use occupancy data to optimize space utilization, ensuring that workspaces are used effectively and efficiently. Additionally, smart buildings can provide features such as remote access to building systems, scheduling of meeting rooms and resources, and automated maintenance scheduling, all of which can improve the productivity of building occupants.

Improving the Security of Your Building

Smart buildings can enhance building security in several ways. IoT devices such as cameras, motion sensors, and access control systems can monitor and control building access, detecting and responding to any potential threats. BMS systems can also detect and alert building managers to unusual activity, such as changes in temperature, humidity levels, or air quality, indicating potential security risks. Smart buildings can also provide automated responses to security threats, such as locking doors or activating alarms.

Increasing the Value of Your Equipment

Having a smart building can significantly increase the value of your property for all the reasons mentioned above. Indeed, Smart buildings have lower energy consumption and operational costs, making them more cost-effective and attractive to potential buyers. Smart buildings also offer enhanced comfort, convenience, and security, which can increase the attractiveness of the building to tenants and occupants. Investors and property buyers are willing to pay more for buildings that are energy-efficient, sustainable, and provide a high level of comfort and security.

Smart Buildings: the Future of Asset Management

In conclusion, transforming your buildings into smart buildings can provide a wide range of tangible benefits. From reducing energy consumption and operational costs to improving occupant comfort and well-being, smart buildings offer significant advantages over traditional buildings. By automating building management, improving security, and increasing the value of your assets, smart buildings can enhance your building's performance and make it more attractive to tenants and occupants.

In terms of cybersecurity having a network that is automatically updated can help avoid cyberattacks and other security issues.

As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more and more properties being transformed into smart buildings in the future. Property owners and managers who invest in smart building technology will be well-positioned to take advantage of these benefits and stay competitive in the real estate market.

The Wattsense connectivity solution is an innovative and flexible way to make a building smart quickly, adapting to each type and size of a building to offer a relevant connectivity solution and a suitable price to each property owner. More info about our solution here or Get a demo.

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