If you are in building operations, you will know the pressure to contribute to the cost-saving within a company. The bottom line of any business will be impacted by the efficiency and performance of the commercial property.
Is BMS the answer?
There is an assumption that automation of a BMS (Building Management System) will lead to this improved performance – after all, it makes your building a Smart Building, doesn’t it?
It is true, with an appropriate BMS that is properly programmed, your building will be more efficient and lead to a healthier environment and so a more productive workforce. However, the quality of this BMS is predicated on the appropriateness of the design and continued maintenance of this programming. A BMS is only as effective as the human operative who designed, installed and maintained the technology.
In the US, a survey by the Department of Energy found that an improperly configured BMS could result in 20% of the building’s energy usage. At this point, it is fair to conclude that your Building Management System is far from working hard enough for you.
There are three reasons your BMS might not be working hard enough for you. First, you may have your schedule wrong; you might not be making the most accurate adjustments, or it might be a matter of performance drift.
Scheduling
When there are season changes or when the use of the commercial building evolves over time, it is possible that the schedule is at times wrong. Equally, it is easy for schedules to be altered when maintenance is undertaken or for operators to set hours unreasonably conservatively, worried that the building may not be comfortable when occupied.
With effective scheduling, you can save money with your BMS, though it might take some guidance from a professional in the field.
Adjustments
When you hire a specialist to install the BMS, they will go through a process of tuning the system for maximum efficiency. However, your use of the building may change over time, and adjustments might be needed. Therefore, if you call in a specialist in BMS maintenance, they will be able to optimise the system’s efficiency when required.
Performance Drift
When your BMS is installed by a specialist contractor such as Cube Controls, you will enjoy optimal efficiency. However, reports suggest that this functionality will drift between 10% and 30% over the life of the equipment. There are all sorts of reasons for this, including wear and tear on components and building users tweaking systems here and there. Therefore, regular checks on your equipment by a specialist will help to maintain the optimal efficiency.
Cube Controls is a specialist in BMS design, installation and maintenance. Contact us today to learn how we can help ensure your Building Management System’s continued high performance.
