How IoT is Powering Smarter Energy Efficiency in Commercial Spaces

One of the key themes of the 2020s has been a cost-of-living crisis – as well as, with many of the same causes, a cost-of-doing-business crisis.

Nor has this situation truly relented over the last few years. Recent research from EY, for instance, found that in the view of 62% of UK firms, increasing and unsustainable energy costs are affecting their profitability and competitiveness.

A perhaps equally intriguing finding from the same study, however, was that more than two thirds (69%) of businesses in the UK intend to heighten their focus on electrification, the reduction of emissions, and the cutting of energy costs over the next three years.

The Rise and Rise of the Internet of Things

The term “Internet of Things” (IoT) was coined as long ago as 1999 by the British technologist Kevin Ashton.

However, there is no question that this collective network of connected devices and the technology facilitating communication between those devices and the cloud, is firmly “having a moment” during the 2020s.

How much of a “moment” are we talking about, and how much more mainstreamed could IoT solutions become? Well, it has been forecast that the number of IoT devices across the globe could climb from 19.8 billion in 2025 to over 40.6 billion by 2034.

What Contribution Is IoT Making to Energy-Saving Efforts?

The aforementioned stellar growth might sound like a recipe for staggering energy consumption. In truth, however, IoT technology is greatly helping to revolutionise efforts to make commercial spaces more energy-efficient.

It accomplishes this by enabling the real-time monitoring, automation, and data-driven optimisation of such energy-intensive systems as HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning), lighting, and equipment.

IoT solutions are playing a leading role in transforming traditional building systems into interconnected networks of sensors, controllers, and analytics platforms.

Such integration is ushering in an era of commercial buildings as smart and sustainable spaces that minimise energy waste, reduce costs, and support environmental goals.

3 Ways in Which IoT Is a Game-Changer for Business Premises’ Energy Efficiency

At this point, you might be thinking: the above ideals sound very high-minded. But what concrete steps are being taken with IoT technology to bring a new dynamism and sophistication to energy-saving efforts in commercial spaces?

Here are a few examples of the specific mechanisms involved:

• Real-Time Monitoring

It is becoming ever-more common for IoT sensors to be incorporated into commercial buildings, for the tracking of such metrics as energy consumption, temperature, humidity, and occupancy in real time. This allows for the provision of granular insights into usage patterns.

One “real-world” example of this, is the use of smart meters to monitor the electricity usage of HVAC systems. This allows for certain inefficiencies to be identified, such as the overcooling of unoccupied parts of the given building, so that changes can be made accordingly.

It is worth pointing out, though, that while the real-time energy consumption data provided by IoT devices can be valuable, the usefulness of such data is greater when it can be easily compared and analysed across different systems.

Heating and cooling systems, for example, are frequently rated in British Thermal Units (BTUs), only for energy consumption to be billed in kilowatt-hours (kWhs). So, there may be a need from time to time for businesses to use an online calculator to convert BTU to kWh, to allow for a comprehensive view of energy usage.

• Automation And Control

Unnecessary energy use in a commercial space can be avoided when IoT-enabled systems are installed to automate HVAC, lighting, and other equipment based on occupancy or schedules.

For example, occupancy sensors can be used to turn off or dim lights in empty rooms.

• Predictive Maintenance

Through the monitoring of metrics like temperature and vibration, IoT sensors can also detect potential issues with the performance of equipment, long before a human being using the space would notice – and before outright failure occurs.

Otherwise, there is a risk that energy may be wasted due to malfunctioning equipment being left unnoticed for an extended period.

IoT Is Making Commercial Energy-Saving Dreams a Reality

There you have it – just a few of the respects in which the Internet of Things is helping to transform commercial spaces into smarter and greener environments that make optimal use of energy resources.

That, in turn, brings hope of decreased costs for businesses over time – and the better protection of the only planet Earth we have.