With apologies to Aretha Franklin, it’s time to show valves, actuators and sensors a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T. These control devices are the key to a holistic heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. When each component within a building management system (BMS) lives up to its potential, the maximum amount of time, energy, water and other precious resources is saved. That can translate into HVAC system energy savings of 40 percent.
Another benefit of a holistic Building Management System – greater comfort due to more localized control of the HVAC system.
Field devices don’t always get the credit they deserve for the role they play. But, trust me. When valves, actuators and sensors aren’t happy, the whole control system isn’t happy.
With the right design, a controller failure doesn’t deliver scalding water to someone washing his or her hands. Instead, when the controller is out of commission, the field devices make sure that nobody gets burned by sending out a safe-temperature flow. That’s done by setting a desired position, one that mixes in enough cold water with the hot to prevent problems.
That is one way modern valves, help make a holistic HVAC system a reality. So, keep in mind the need to focus on field devices as the foundation of a strong BMS, delivering comprehensive integrated control to the HVAC solution. If you do, you’ll be the one earning respect.
Conversation
Roopesh Kotecha
8 years ago
The real challenge in present facilities and asset management organisations that they do not focus on field devices at all which is most important factor in maintenance of any building management system. Integration on management and automation is greatly admired but field devices, who are executing this intelligence on ground and without its healthy status any control strategy is worthless, are not given attention in planned preventive Or predictive maintenance and mostly left for breakdown maintenance. This approach results into adversely working control strategy hence management layer (BMS, iBMS, EMS, BEMS, CAFM, CMMS and asset management) start receiving blame for non functionality as per end user expectation.
Jane Braun
8 years ago
on point Roopesh – thx for the comment!
Chicago HCP
7 years ago
We can start with the decisions we make in our homes: opting for more energy-efficient HVAC units and components could not only reduce our carbon footprints, but also save money in the long-term
Chicago HCP
7 years ago
HVAC maintenance is the best way to improve your system’s longevity and efficiency.