Building Intelligence & Sustainability – The Role of Smart Buildings

Building Intelligence & Sustainability The Role of Smart Buildings Cabada

In 2024, Smart and Integrated Buildings are integral to building intelligence and achieving sustainability and ahi outcomes.

Smart Buildings enable sustainable outcomes for building owners, operators and landlords. Smart building platforms will enable efficiencies and optimization – of energy, water equipment while also creating a data repository that can be used for decision making. This is the foundation of building intelligence and why Smart Buildings are integral to sustainability and modernization of building management.

Energy Efficiency

Building Management Systems (BMS) and the use of IoT or Facility Management Systems are one of the most effective ways to conserve energy. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings and their operations were responsible for 30% of global final energy consumption and 27% of total energy sector emissions. Installing a BMS, however, results in projected energy savings of up to 29%.

This is achieved through the monitoring and managing of temperature control, HVAC regulation (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), continuously monitoring energy consumption, lighting and electricity control. By combining smart control with data analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), this will result in energy efficient and sustainable building operations.

Carbon Emissions

Buildings account for approximately 40% of energy use in the United States and contribute to 35% of CO2 emissions. On average, over 30% of this energy is wasted in residential and commercial buildings. As we already know, CO2 emissions are detrimental to our health, environment and the world. They contribute to global warming and make one Swedish girl really upset.

What can we do to play our part? Integrate a BMS in your offices or buildings, and efficiently meet carbon emission targets. Get more insight on how this is achieved through innovative solutions here.

Indoor Air Quality

After the pandemic, the average global workforce transitioned from in-office to remote work. This means we spend 80-90% of our day to day time indoors. Thus, indoor air pollution is a serious cause of concern. Studies have shown it has a direct impact on our physical and mental health, as well as our work efficiency.

With a smart building management system, however, you can monitor the indoor air quality index (AQI) real-time. Through ventilation, systematic filtration and historical data analysis, BMSs ensure healthier indoor environments.

Reduced Operational Costs

Not only can smart facility management systems help reduce energy consumption costs, they can also help with reducing overall operational costs. By leveraging the monitoring and predictive capabilities of IoT devices,  equipment maintenance costs can be minimized and larger repair costs could be avoided.  In addition, this level of smart automation would require less  human intervention and allow organizations to efficiently scale building operations. Moreover, since as the  risk of equipment failure is lowered, its useful life would be extended and could prevent early replacement. .

A great example for this would be an office in Croydon that could save over $231,000 by integrating a HVAC control system.

Employee Wellness & Productivity

In today’s hybrid work environment, real estate businesses keep striving for methods to boost employee productivity through the creating of workplaces and workspaces that help employees.  So, even while reducing energy and operational cost, BMSs can seamlessly integrate the various systems across the office – HVAC, lighting, security or IAQ. This creates a more positive environment, where employees can focus solely on their work with utmost comfort. With improved morale, productivity is bound to increase!

This is also supported by several studies that investigate if an efficient work environment does in fact impact an employee’s mental health and productivity. Many such case studies are explored in “Employee Well-being, Productivity, and Firm Performance: Evidence and Case Studies” with authors from reputed institutions like London School of Economics, Harvard Business School, Oxford University, etc.

Building Safety & Security

A Smart Building is a safer building. BMS can significantly improve the security level of a building or facility. Through access control technology using keycards, biometrics or facial recognition, it ensures only authorized individuals are able to enter certain areas. By combining security systems with BMS, buildings create a stronger defence against theft, vandalism or unauthorized access. Thus, a safer environment for occupants is created while also protecting valuable assets. Real-time monitoring also allows for timely responses to potential threats detected. Alerts can be sent directly to staff phones or control panels with the help of the smart building software. You can promptly activate fire alarms or initiate evacuation protocol as needed, saving on crucial time.

Sustainability& Net Zero

Through all these benefits discussed, Building Management Systems play a pivotal role in advancing towards sustainable development. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, resource management and equipment lifecycle optimization, all ultimately contribute towards the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals.

Smart buildings also provide other options like integration of renewable energy solutions like solar or wind, promoting the transition to clean energy. They also offer greater grid stability for renewable energy sources by managing distribution. They can also incorporate hybrid systems, intelligently switching between sources to ensure optimal energy supply.

Building management solutions, through these numerous benefits, are the future of optimized living. And here, at Clarity Building Controls, the Future Is Clear. The Clarity platform is focused on the operating properties more intelligently efficiently through the use of IoT technology to leverage data and AI to monitor and automate.  For more information or to learn more, email or contact us at