Energy efficiency

Approximately 40 percent of global primary energy consumption is attributed to supplying buildings. Buildings in general are among the largest energy consumers. A particularly large portion of energy consumption comes from non-residential buildings. They account for about two-thirds of the energy consumption for buildings. A great deal of energy can be saved and CO2 emissions can be reduced by improving building energy efficiency.

Building automation opens up savings potential

Building automation opens up particularly high savings potential for buildings – both new constructions as well as in the renovation of existing buildings. Building automation not only saves heating energy, but also electricity for lighting or air conditioning, for example – sustainably over the entire life cycle. The primary energy consumption of a building can be cut in half through building automation.

In contrast to expensive insulation measures and plant renewals the necessary investments for this are relatively small. The return on investment through saved energy costs is very quick. Already after a few years the investment in building automation can pay for itself. 

Legal requirements

The European Union has recognized the high potential for energy savings from buildings and has passed directives to improve building energy efficiency (Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, or EPBD). These are implemented as national laws and regulations by the European countries.

In Germany the EPBD is implemented through the energy saving regulation (EnEV). The EnEV stipulates an energy pass for buildings. The energy pass divides buildings into one of four different classifications according to their energy consumption or energy requirements.

Savings potential through building automation

On the basis of the EPBD the European Standardization Committee CEN TC247 has developed methods, which make the effects of building automation on energy efficiency clear. Buildings are divided into four efficiency categories depending on the degree and quality with which they are equipped with building automation.

The standard for buildings is class C. These buildings are equipped with a standard building automation system. This includes an occupied time control via a timing program, for example. Worse than class C is class D with inefficient building automation. Class B and A, by contrast, are for buildings with advanced or highly efficient building automation systems.

The following table shows the savings potential of different class A building types compared to class C buildings:

• Office buildings 30 % savings potential
• Auditoriums 50 % savings potential
• Educational institutions (schools) 20 % savings potential
• Hospitals 14 % savings potential
• Hotels 32 % savings potential
• Restaurants 32 % savings potential
• Wholesale and retail buildings 40 % savings potential

Kieback&Peter is there to support you by improving the energy quality of your buildings, increasing their energy efficiency, saving energy and money and sustainably protecting the environment.

Products for energy efficiency

Energy efficiency plays a role in two regards when it comes to products for building automation. One aspect is that products contribute to improving energy efficiency performance. Important keywords in this context are quality of control and control accuracy. The other aspect is the products own energy consumption.

The MD15 mini motor actuator for room and zone temperature control, for example, achieves the highest control quality by means of a distinctive valve characteristic. Even the unit’s own energy consumption is very low with a power consumption of less than 2 W.

The RCN individual room controller from the technolon® product line was one of the first individual room controllers ever eu.bac certified. The eu.bac certification affirms the highest control accuracy as well as conformance with the European directives for energy efficiency.