What is Building Automation?
The Andover Continuum Building Automation system controls the various building systems (lighting, HVAC, access control). It can turn on a light, open a door, turn on the heat in a room, or provide additional fresh air when needed. If the building were a person’s body, the automation system would be the brain and muscles.
How do we use it?
The automation system controls all heating, cooling, ventilation and the day to day system operation of the building. Thousands of separate sensors, actuators and controls provide feedback to the mechanical and electrical systems, optimizing their energy use, while ensuring thermal comfort and air quality levels within all of the building’s occupied spaces. This system is what enables us to operate as one of the smartest buildings in the world, and to continue to tweak the building’s systems to continuously improve its performance.
How does it make us more sustainable?
Finer control of building systems means that we can operate them more effectively with less cost and environmental impact. Since installing the automation system we have saved over 130,000 kWh of energy – enough to drive an electric car around the world 20 times. The system has also improved comfort levels, indoor air quality and the security of all building occupants, while enabling us to reduce our carbon footprint by 40% at the same time.