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Energy savings and tenant satisfaction are top of mind in the building and real estate industry. Both have a clear and direct connection to the indoor climate, although this connection is often underestimated. We spend around 90% of our lives indoors, and our ability to sleep, perform and thrive is scientifically linked to an optimal indoor climate. With that in mind, isn’t there a growing demand for ways to view, control and optimise the indoor climate without putting additional strain on the environment?
There are few things today that are left to chance, few things are considered ok to just happen. The weather might be a simple example, but an entire table of colleagues can sit on a Friday lunch and swipe a variety of forecasts to try to find the most reliable weekend weather, without any chance of making adjustments or give feedback on the prognosis. A car is possible to locate, lock, physically open, charge and start by using an app, and there is usually a possibility to request assistance in case of a break-down. The ease to view, adjust and control things around us is available in similar apps for in- and outdoor lighting, washers and dryers, postal orders, yellow cartoon characters, taxis, food deliveries etc, etc.
Digital services are already common in areas such as building security, where users can monitor, adjust and respond to events in real time. They can activate and deactivate the guarding of a property, provide an overview of which doors and windows are currently open and show which have been opened in recent months. It can display the indoor temperature as is, and the fluctuations that have been. It can connect to an operator in case of a break-in or if any other building related issues occur inside. And finally, it can make recommendations regarding for instance battery changes, based on various data and sensors.
With the latter example a building-approach is taken, but what digital solutions are there that can help to proactively care for a building, to control energy consumption and ensure low operating costs over time? Or on the other hand, what digital solutions are there focusing on the indoor climate, the comfort inside that can give a person the best conditions to perform, stay healthy and remain a satisfied tenant?
What is indoor climate and why is it important?
Several factors make up the indoor climate. The most well-known factors are temperature and air quality, but sound, airflow and humidity are also vital components of a healthy indoor climate. In terms of temperature, studies show that people are the most productive at 21-22 degrees and that productivity decreases by 2% for every degree warmer indoor climate. Other studies show that low levels of CO2 in a room or space enhance strategic thinking as well as the ability to use sourced information. Further, by minimising the concentration of pollutants in the air, work-efficiency and health among the people inside a room or building is significantly improved.
In regards to air flow, sound and humidity, monotonous sound and disturbing noise need to be eliminated, and the same goes for unpleasant draught. Uncomfortable levels of humidity should be optimized to meet requirements of both energy-efficiency and comfort. Because, if a building fails to deliver on these factors there is an apparent risk that tenants are dissatisfied with either their work results, their chance to recuperate or the annually proposed rent.
With that said, a perfect indoor climate is as important as breakfast in the morning and, evidently, it can be argued that the indoor climate is more important than any books or screens, connectivity or branded coffee, for people to be at their best. Merely, an ideal indoor climate will provide the best conditions to fully realise peoples’ full potential to engage in their daily responsibilities, get their well-needed sleep and enjoy the environment they are in. So, why has there not been a screaming demand for digital services for viewing, adjusting and controlling the indoor climate?
Care. Comfort. Control.
Think about the app for a washer. It is possible to choose, modify and follow the laundry program. Notifications are sent when the wash-up is finished, it is possible to open the door and a warning pops up when the detergent is running low or filters need to be rinsed. A number of sensors and finetuned instruments, together with connectivity, is making it possible to monitor and control this process.
Today, it is possible to also monitor and control the indoor climate in a highly advanced way. By the means of very precise sensors and excellent connectivity, temperatures, sound levels and the extent of humidity can be determined, as well as the degree of CO2 and other pollutants inside a room or building. Thanks to outstanding digital communication between the different units in an indoor climate solution, seamless adjustments are made on a continuous basis to create a perfect indoor climate. In addition, sensor values, unit performance and the overall indoor environmental quality can be visualised on screens and apps.
A majority of the data gathered can also be used to care for a building. Maintenance can be well planned, operational issues may be solved before the indoor climate is affected and energy-efficiency can be noticeably improved as recommendations are made based on historic, current and AI-forecasted information. All the above allow for various stakeholders to view, monitor, control and feedback on both tangible and intangible aspects of the indoor climate.
Swegon INSIDE
Using our carefully developed Swegon INSIDE Manager it is possible to view, monitor and control numerous compatible HVAC units in a single building or throughout a property portfolio. By using Manager it can effortlessly be ensured that all units are operating as intended and in the most energy-efficient manner, while delivering a perfect indoor climate for people to feel good inside.
INSIDE Analytics gives Swegon INSIDE customers a dedicated way to view, adjust and optimise the indoor climate. Unlike a weather report, which is forecasted and available to everyone, INSIDE Analytics uses building-specific data to provide insights that help our users understand and improve indoor climate performance. By the means of advanced AI-rendered data INSIDE Analytics allows real estate owners and the like to manage their buildings in a way that meet targets in regards to operation and reporting, economy and sustainability with improved efficiency. INSIDE Visualiser displays temperature, air quality, air flow, humidity and sound levels, current and historic, in a way that is easy to grasp and understand. It compares the indoor climate in this building with other similar properties and it allows for direct feedback from the people inside the building.
Swegon INSIDE includes a range of services designed for facility managers, property owners, service organisations and similar users. Each service helps them understand, analyse and proactively control indoor climate solutions, making it easier to care for a building and ensure energy-efficient, reliable operation. As a complement, these services are also developed to enable people inside a building to visualise and adjust the indoor climate to a comfortable level that allow them to be at their best today and tomorrow. You can learn more about Swegon INSIDE here.
