Building Management Systems: Cost-Saving, Intelligent and Adaptive Buildings

Building management systems (BMS) software-based platforms that monitor and control a building’s mechanical and electrical equipment increase a buildings efficiency and cut energy usage. This allows building managers to respond quickly as energy demand changes.

The Con Edison Demand Management Program (DMP) offers incentives for energy efficient technology that will help improve operational performance of your building and reduce electric demand. Operational performance is improved through these systems by allowing the building manager or operator to control the building’s equipment more seamlessly through one system. This allows energy to be used only where and when it is needed. Outdated BMS can lead to a surge in energy use. By updating your BMS you can save energy as well as money through this program.

Valuable Data and Reporting

The BMS provides valuable data and reporting to better control heating, cooling, ventilating and illuminating. An example of what an up-to-date BMS can perform is it’s ability to adjust your lighting and HVAC systems during peak load times. The BMS utilizes software that integrates with controls hardware and monitors the energy used to illuminate, heat, cool and ventilate your building, ultimately resulting in more efficient planning of energy use over time.

The BMS controls the chiller output, air handler, operation scheduling, data collection and trend and demand response activation. The chiller output shows the chiller plant operational data including chiller and pump status, liquid flow and temperature readings from various sensors in the system. The air handler shows the operational status of an air handling unit including fan status, air flow, valve position, water flow and temperature readings from various points in the system. Operation scheduling shows a typical example of scheduled operating hours for various lighting groups within the building. The data collection trend shows a graphic depiction of the systems temperature. All these systems work together to control the buildings energy use.

Demand Response Activation

In addition to saving energy, a BMS helps owners and managers ensure tenant comfort by ensuring that equipment switches off when it is not needed. Most systems can be controlled remotely, some even via smartphone applications, allowing additional convenience for property managers. A demand-controlled thermostat will shut down the air conditioning unit for 20 minutes each hour during peak demand periods. This helps reduce the utility demand per year.

Another useful tool for reducing energy is the carbon monoxide sensor. Large buildings typically include a large garage. To counter the carbon monoxide produced from the vehicles, oxygen is continuously pumped into the space. This can easily result in excessive energy use on days of little or no car activity. By installing carbon monoxide sensors in the parking garage, sensors will turn the motors on when more fresh air is needed. By having the motors only operate when needed, a building’s energy use will be reduced, along with its utility bill savings, and the useful life of the motors will be extended.

Controlling a building’s environment through BMS can help it meet regulatory compliance as well as ensure tenant health, safety and satisfaction.

Building owners can receive financial incentives from Con Edison’s Demand Management Program (DMP) to offset the cost of significant energy improvements. For example, a participant can earn up to $1,620/kW in incentives for HVAC/BMS/Controls projects (not to exceed 70% of their BMS/Controls project costs).