BUILDING AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
A Building Automation
System (BAS) is a
centralized system used
to monitor, control, and
optimize various
building systems to
enhance comfort, energy
efficiency, and safety.
These systems integrate
and automate functions
such as heating,
ventilation, and air
conditioning (HVAC),
lighting, security, fire
alarms, and other environmental systems within a building.
Key Components and Functions:
1. HVAC Control: BAS regulates heating, cooling, and ventilation to maintain optimal indoor
temperature and air quality.
2. Lighting Control: Automates lighting to ensure energy-efficient operation, including
dimming, occupancy sensing, and daylight harvesting.
3. Energy Management: Monitors and optimizes energy consumption, helping reduce utility
costs and supporting sustainability goals.
4. Security and Access Control: Integrates security systems, including surveillance cameras,
alarm systems, and access control (e.g., keycard entry).
5. Fire and Life Safety: Ensures fire detection systems and alarms are functioning and can trigger
appropriate responses like smoke venting or emergency lighting.
6. Data Logging and Monitoring: Collects data from sensors and devices for monitoring
performance, predictive maintenance, and troubleshooting.
Benefits:
- Efficiency: Automates repetitive tasks, reducing human intervention and improving operational
efficiency.
- Energy Savings: Optimizes systems like HVAC and lighting for energy conservation.
- Comfort: Maintains a stable and comfortable environment for building occupants.
- Cost-Effective: Reduces operational costs through automation, predictive maintenance, and resource
optimization.
- Security and Safety: Provides real-time monitoring and control over critical building systems.
A BAS typically consists of sensors, controllers, actuators, and user interfaces, and may use
communication protocols like BACnet, Modbus, or KNX to integrate different devices.
SMART BUILDING SYSTEMS
A Smart Building System refers to a set of technologies integrated into a building that enhances its
efficiency, safety, comfort, and sustainability. These systems use sensors, automation, and data
analytics to manage various building functions like heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC),
lighting, security, energy usage, and more. Smart building systems can be controlled remotely and
often employ Internet of Things (IoT) technology to improve the overall management and operational
performance of the building.
Key Components of a Smart Building System:
1. Building Automation System (BAS):
- Controls and monitors mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems.
- Includes HVAC, lighting, fire safety, and security systems.
2. Energy Management Systems (EMS):
- Monitors and optimizes energy use to reduce consumption and improve sustainability.
- Can automatically adjust heating, cooling, and lighting based on occupancy and environmental
conditions.
3. Lighting Control:
- Adjusts lighting based on occupancy or time of day to save energy.
- Includes features like dimming, color temperature adjustment, and adaptive lighting patterns.
4. HVAC Systems:
- Uses sensors and intelligent algorithms to optimize temperature control and air quality.
- Can respond to real-time conditions like occupancy or outdoor weather.
5. Security Systems:
- Includes surveillance cameras, access control (smart locks), motion detectors, and alarms.
- Can be integrated with real-time alerts or automatic lockdown protocols.
6. Occupant Comfort:
- Smart sensors adjust the indoor environment for comfort based on occupancy or user preferences.
- Features like air quality monitoring, noise reduction, and personalized temperature control.
7. IoT Integration:
- Sensors and devices that communicate with each other to share data and adjust systems accordingly.
- Examples include smart thermostats, occupancy sensors, and energy meters.
8. Data Analytics:
- Collects and analyzes data to predict maintenance needs, optimize energy use, and improve system
efficiency.
- Enables predictive maintenance, reducing downtime and costs.
Benefits of Smart Building Systems:
- Energy Efficiency : Reduced energy consumption by optimizing HVAC, lighting, and other systems.
- Cost Savings : Lower operational costs due to automated controls and predictive maintenance.
- Increased Comfort : Personalized environments for occupants, enhancing comfort and productivity.
- Sustainability : Reduced carbon footprint and better resource utilization.
- Security : Enhanced safety with smart surveillance and access control.
TYPES OF AIRCONDITIONING SYSTEMS
1.) Centralized Air Conditioner
A central air conditioning unit
uses a split system that regulates
air through ducts installed in your
home. It is also known as a ducted
system. The split aspect implies
that the system is a combination
of two main units. The outdoor
unit packs in the condenser and
compressor. While the indoor unit
comprises the evaporator coils &
air handler. Like any typical air
conditioner, central air
conditioning also uses refrigerant to remove heat from the indoor air. This heat is pulled outdoors &
cool air is pushed in through the dducts
2.) Ductless Mini- Split Air conditioner
Ductless systems type of air conditioner is a
combination of an outdoor unit comprising of a
compressor & a condenser that comes along with one or
more indoor units. These indoor units are mounted on a
wall and equipped with air blowers. The indoor &
outdoor units are connected through tubing and,
refrigerant circulates through them in variations
depending on the type of usage.
3.) Window air Conditioner
A window air conditioner is a single unit with all of
its components enclosed inside. It ejects heat out of its
outdoor side and blows cool air into the room on the
indoor side. As the name suggests, it is installed in a
window or by making a hole in the wall. Such air
conditioners have a filter that slides out so that it can
be cleaned regularly for full AC efficiency. These air
conditioners have controls on the unit & may also
come with a remote.
4.) Portable air conditioner
Portable air conditioners are similar to window air
conditioners. They are also placed in a single unit with all its
components enclosed inside, but the difference is that it is a
free-standing unit and therefore can be moved from room to
room. All it requires is a power outlet to power it up & access
to a window where the unit’s air can be exhausted from using
its funnel. Portable ACs can be single- hose that takes in air
from inside a room and expel it outdoors. Or, dual-hose,
which pulls air from the outdoors using one hose, this air
cools the compressor and is then exhausted outdoors from
the other hose. Since a portable unit sits indoors, its
evaporator fan runs continuously to evaporate the condensed
moisture that is collected inside the unit.
5.) Floor – Mounted Air Conditioner
Floor-mounted air conditioners are designed for
convenience if you prefer a mini-split but lack the
required space for a wall mounted unit. The indoor
unit of floor-mounted AC rests on the floor, and the
outer unit can be installed without major site
preparation or any ductwork. This arrangement is
also ideal for spaces with tilted walls, such as attics,
or building constructed with fragile materials such as
glass. Floor mounted systems cool/heat the room
quicker than any other mounting system as the fan
blows the air directly at your level. On the contrary,
units that are mounted high up on the wall can often
face difficulties cooling the room uniformly and
efficiently. Floor units need free space around them
to function efficiently and circulate the air
adequately. Make sure the unit is not obstructed by furniture or walls.
6.) Smart Air Conditioner
Smart air conditioners are a type of
mini-split, window, or portable air
conditioner that are IoT enabled. These
ACs are connected to Wi-Fi and come
with a native app providing global
control through a smartphone.
Depending on the manufacturer, these
air conditioners come with numerous
functionalities. Some of these include
weekly scheduling, geofencing, comfy
mode, temperature range control, and numerous other features. Utilizing these, you can achieve great
comfort coupled with energy savings.
7.) Geothermal Air Conditioning System
Geothermal heating & cooling is considered a
relatively new method, it works by utilizing the
insulating properties of the earth. Since the
temperatures under 4 to 6 feet of land remain
consistent all year regardless of the weather,
geothermal technology takes advantage of this to heat
& cool your home more efficiently. This system has
piping that consists of a loop that circulates water
between your home, a heat pump & the ground. They
require intensive work to set up underground.
8.) Hybrid/ Dual Fuel Air Conditioner
A hybrid system is one that combines a gas furnace
with an electric air-source heat pump to deliver a
cost-effective & efficient performance in terms of
heating & cooling. Depending on the temperature
outdoors, the system automatically switches
between burning fossil fuels and the usage of
electricity. You program the temperature at which
the system switches from heat pump to furnace, or
you can make the manual switch too.
9.) Evaporator Cooler
Evaporative coolers are
sometimes categorized as
air conditioning
alternatives, even though
technically, they are not
air conditioners and
differ in both mechanism
and structure. This
inclusion in the list stems
from their ability to
effectively cool indoor
spaces. Unlike
conventional AC systems
with ducts and
refrigeration cycles, evaporative coolers operate by drawing in warm air through water-saturated pads
or media. They need less electricity than other types of air conditioners. However, on the downside,
they utilize a lot of water and need to be regularly filled. Additionally, they increase the rooms humidity
levels. When operating an evaporative cooler, it’s advisable to partially open windows so that your
room’s humidity levels do not exceed the recommended levels.
AIR CONDITION SYSTEM DIAGRAM
• Condenser
- A condenser (or AC condenser) is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner or heat pump that
either releases or collects heat. A condenser is designed to transfer heat from a working fluid
(e.g. water in a steam power plant) to a secondary fluid or the surrounding air. The condenser
relies on the efficient heat transfer that occurs during phase changes, in this case during the
condensation of a vapor into a liquid.
• Compressor
- The compressor is on the inside part of the condenser unit, and it’s responsible for compressing
refrigerant vapor. The compressor is the heart of your HVAC system. It transfers heat from the
refrigerant (the liquid that cools the air) to the condenser (the device that takes heat away from
the air).
• Evaporator
- The evaporator contains refrigerant that absorbs heat from the air that passes over it. The
refrigerant changes from a liquid to a gas, which is called evaporation. This process cools the
refrigerant, which is then circulated back into the room. The evaporator works the opposite of
the condenser, here refrigerant liquid is converted to gas, absorbing heat from the air in the
compartment. When the liquid refrigerant reaches the evaporator its pressure has been reduced,
dissipating its heat content and making it much cooler than the fan air flowing around it.
• Fan
- A condenser fan is a type of fan that, as the name suggests, is found near the condenser. It’s
designed to remove heat from the refrigerant inside of the condenser’s hollow passages. When
running your AC system, refrigerant will pick up heat from inside of your home at the
evaporator coil.
• Receiver
- Receiver contain a material called desiccant. The desiccant is used to absorb moisture (water)
that may have gotten inside the A/C system during manufacture, assembly or service. Moisture
can get into the A/C components from humidity in the air. This is the “drier” function of the
receiver.
• Drier
- A filter drier is a filtration device that’s designed to remove contaminants, including moisture,
from the refrigerant. There are two types of filter driers. Liquid-line Filter Driers are installed
within the smaller, non-insulated copper line that carries refrigerant from the condenser coil to
the evaporator coil.
• Sight glass
- A standard sight glass with indicator also usually has a dual function. It monitors whether the
moisture content of the refrigerant is within acceptable limits and whether liquid refrigerant is
always present at the expansion valve.
• Expansion valve
- The expansion valve removes pressure from the liquid refrigerant to allow expansion or change
of state from a liquid to a vapor in the evaporator. The high-pressure liquid refrigerant entering
the expansion valve is quite warm.
