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Renovating is typically a complex and costly endeavour, particularly when it comes to larger projects and renovations of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC). We have previously addressed renovation in the context of buildings being preserved for cultural heritage or ducts being too bulky to fit into old constructions. Niklas Jacobsson, Product Manager for room management systems at Swegon, presents a solution to the common “renovation headache” caused by endless cabling: wireless HVAC communication.
HVAC components such as dampers, diffusers, climate beams and similar often rely on extensive wiring networks for communication and control. During renovations, extensive cable installations can be significant obstacles and wired systems typically require substantial modifications, including running cables through walls, ceilings and floors, to connect with new HVAC technology. This not only causes the installer a headache, but it can also be disruptive to ongoing operations and generate expensive costs due to the required labour-intensive work. Further, maintaining and troubleshooting a wired HVAC network is not an easy task, physical connections are likely to wear and tear, and tracing issues can be both time-consuming and costly.
However, the continuous advancements in wireless technology have transformed the way HVAC solutions operate and have brought significant benefits to building owners, installers, facility managers - and tenants. The renovation headache is eased as wireless HVAC communication reduces installation and commissioning challenges while allowing for more flexible adjustments and simplified maintenance.
Let us explain the main benefits:
1. Physical installation
Wireless systems eliminate the need to run extensive cabling throughout the building. This is particularly advantageous in older buildings where access to walls and ceilings for wiring can be challenging and not align with the interior design and aesthetics of the indoor environment.
2.Easier and faster commissioning
Commissioning an HVAC solution is a crucial step to ensure that everything works as intended and allows for an optimal indoor climate. This process often requires extensive testing and recalibration, something that is significantly easier and faster with wireless HVAC components as these can be told how to behave, digitally.
3. Greater flexibility to answer to new use patterns
In modern times, the use of buildings changes more often – an office may shift from a cubicle design, to shared workspaces or active collaboration zones, or perhaps the office is turned into a hotel, library or conference centre. Wireless HVAC communication allows for easy reconfiguration without the need for challenging cable work. The wireless connection allows for the components to be assigned new tasks and operate in a new context.
4. Scalability and futureproofing
Wireless communication support renovations where a tenant expands its premises or the HVAC solution needs an upgrade. Wireless components for heating, ventilation and air conditioning can be added or re-configured without significant infrastructure changes. Additionally, advanced technologies continue to develop and it is clear that a wireless HVAC solution is better prepared to be integrated with future technology and further pave the way for operational efficiencies.
5. Simplified maintenance
The absence of physical cables allows for easier maintenance, simple as that. Wireless connections are not subject to the same degradation as a physical one, and if issues arise, diagnosis and fixing in a wireless network are more straightforward than tracing failings in a cabled system.
6. Seamless integration with smart building systems
The foundation of smart buildings is interconnected systems to enhance comfort, efficiency and safety. For instance, a smart building can automatically adjust heating, ventilation and air conditioning to meet the actual need in the room. If a room is empty, airflow can be reduced to a minimum, to only ensure compliance with regulations and preservation of the building and what it holds. On the other hand, sensor data also make sure that air quality, temperature and humidity levels are at an optimal level at all times as the building fills up. This not only improves energy efficiency and reduces costs, but it also supports comfort and productivity of the people inside.
Enter WISE
WISE is a system for demand controlled ventilation (DCV) that utilises a patented wireless communication system to connect various HVAC components such as dampers, diffusers, chilled beams, control equipment and the air handling unit. It is encrypted for the highest safety level and allows the system to focus on ensuring an optimal indoor climate that meets the needs inside.
Thanks to wireless communication, WISE is easy to install and commission, adjust and maintain. The system is commissioned using a tablet app which speaks to each room product to identify and connect/pair them into a mesh-like entirety. Each unit then digitally receives its function, a procedure that minimises incorrect connections, time for troubleshooting and ensures an easy process from installation to operation. While in operation, each unit in the system forwards information about nearby products and helps the network to work around obstacles. This also means that the system can quickly repair itself if a product for instance loses power.
In sum, the fact that WISE is wireless allows for increased time efficiency in all phases, from installation to long-term use. As time efficiency in this case is strongly related to minimised man-hours, the system also allows for reduced costs.
Another advantage of WISE is the significant energy savings it brings. Energy savings arise from the use of advanced sensor technology which monitors air quality, temperature, humidity levels and more, and adjusts HVAC operations to meet the actual needs at all times. Meaning that unoccupied spaces are only ventilated, heated or cooled as much as needed to meet requirements while minimising energy usage. Occupied rooms, like offices or classrooms, are adjusted based on actual use and activity, ensuring a good indoor climate without wasting energy on full-capacity settings unless required.
And the best part? All these gains are possible to benefit from in both simplified renovation projects and new-build developments – WISE is a smart and future-proof approach to minimise the renovation headache. Learn more on our website and in this guide.
