Modern Building Services

MODERN BUILDING SERVICES NOVEMBER 2022 19 FEATURE HEATING This new approach to the overall solution should be considered and encouraged within buildings that use energy. We already see some manufacturers in isolation, trying to communicate with mobile phones, BACnet and modbus, metering and monitoring and DALI lighting systems. Humans in buildings normally require some sort of combined services to allow movement, work, relaxation, and the ability to keep clean. The human’s presence should be enough to turn on lights, open valves and provide a requirement for heating or cooling. Whether one local control system is enough or a complete building management system is required; that is part of the overall design. Therefore, Heat Interface Units should not only have the requirements I mentioned in an article last year. The concept Back in May 2021 issue of MBS I wrote an article called, The shape of things to come 1 . In the article, the question was asked “What will replace gas boilers?”. The concept of designing a Heat Interface Unit (HIU) was discussed. The argument in the article was expanded to demonstrate how the HIU should be developed to ensure it delivered the required function of providing heating and hot water, while still fulfilling all the other requirements of installation, commissioning, and maintenance. I thought a follow up article on the HIU controller would be a logical step. The HIU controller is sometimes the main differential between the product manufacturers of HIU’s. Speed of opening and closing is critical on hot water control, but in the end, it is the controller that determines the opening and closing, which is further determined by the method of measuring the flow, the temperature, or both of a domestic hot water supply. But in a world where disruptive technology has already started to make a difference in our homes and workplace focusing on some simple control functions cannot be the limitations of the controller. Disruptive Technologies is where the development and uptake of new technologies reshape the existing conventional methods, that need to be replaced to address the speed of change required to introduce new technologies. I believe that the HIU controller should either be the main communication centre or at least play a major part in the apartments/house control system, (HIVE for example). This would mean that instead of working remotely, independently providing heating and hot water, the HIU controller would be linked to other devices such as the lighting system, the security system, and yes even the entertainment systems. The billing and monitoring of the amount of heat supplied should be linked also to the Heat meter that is contained within the Heat Exchanger or just outside it. Ideally at least these two separate functions are combined in one central controller. This is not a new concept and the ability to manage, monitor and make changes within the HIU are available and on the market. What would be new would be allowing the heating and hot water systems to interact with your daily activities, for the leak prevention and detection system working to stop unnecessary wastage of water, shutting the water off if leaks are detected. Available technology One of the areas of growth in control that needs to be more widely adopted if we are ever to save energy is the wireless system. Previously considered as unreliable and possibly failing when it is needed most. There has been significant growth in this new technology in other European countries that see the need for more control, but without wires. There are several wireless systems available that suit different applications and personnel preferences. For those who prefer to have ‘APP’ technology and be notified and allow a degree of personal control there is the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) system that makes full use of the mobile phone interface with the person who needs to be informed. For those less interested in being notified of the fine detail and still prefer the old fashion way of manually switching lights on there is the EnOcean wireless Energy Harvesting Technology. Not that BLE system is not as capable or EnOcean cannot switch on lights for those owners and building managers who want to extend the reaches of wireless technology to control blinds, ensure windows are closed with proximity sensors, control temperatures, measure CO 2 levels and even control the Heating/Chilled water system, EnOcean has more products and allows better integration. They both have limited distances of communication, which is also dependent on the building structure and what metal devices are installed to disrupt the wireless signal. Wireless systems are as prone to position as any other wired device. On the other hand, a wire can, be hidden either in a wall, ceiling space or under a carpet. Care of ensuring the wire is laid where it cannot be harmed, or cause harmmust be an initial consideration. How many people have drilled into cables when doing home improvements or tripped over poorly laid wires. The same consideration must also be considered when installing a wireless system, the position is the most important. The physical hazard of drilling through live cables or tripping over wires that are not there has obviously been removed. Benefits Another example of the benefits of wireless system is leak detection system that relies on the presences of water to activate a wireless sensor. That sensor can be solar and/or battery powered to avoid adding to the risk of water encountering electricity in a bathroom or kitchen where a leak is present. The potential of the leak is not only problematic to the local area or room, but to the whole building cannot be overstated and notification as soon as water is discovered is all part of the Energy Revolution. The human risk is also a consideration and this is where mains power leak detection systems struggle from human intervention whereas Wireless Solar systems are better suited to human meddling. Conclusion In summary, all professional people should be thinking of the next 100 years and persevering with new concepts and ideas that reduce energy consumption and serve the needs of the people who use the buildings we design and build. We should all be more open minded to new technologies and look for disruptive technology within the Building Services Industry. I remember attending a BSRIA event in the early 2000s that had several speakers explaining how different industries had been changed to meet new technologies and working practices. How the design and working practices had completely changed. One of the warnings after a presentation was, if the industry does not change, then others outside the industry will enter and introduce the changes that we as an Industry have failed to adopt. Energy and water are no longer cheap commodities that can be wasted. Energy and water need to be conserved and either we introduce the technology to improve old and new building stock, or it will be taken out of hands. Source 1 www.browseandread.co.uk/ MBS/may2021/8 More information can be found at www.pettinaroli.com