Know-How

How Can We Help?

How Consultants and Specifiers Can Leverage BEMS Data


Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS) generate extensive real time and historical data, offering consultants and specifiers powerful tools to make informed design decisions, verify compliance, and showcase the value of their recommendations. By effectively utilizing BEMS data, consultants can optimize building performance, meet regulatory requirements, and exceed client expectations. This guide highlights advanced strategies and actionable steps to enhance how consultants and specifiers use BEMS data.

 

Validating Design Intent with BEMS Data

 

Objective: Ensure that installed systems align with the design intent and meet the project’s technical specifications.

 

  • Confirm Operational Parameters: Use BEMS data to verify that HVAC equipment, lighting, and other systems perform within specified ranges (e.g., supply air temperature, pressure, or airflow rates).
  • Optimize System Performance: Review trends to identify opportunities for fine-tuning, such as adjusting setpoints or sequencing control strategies for efficiency.
  • Highlight Design Excellence: Use data to demonstrate how your designs improve energy efficiency, occupant comfort, or air quality compared to baseline performance.

 

Example:

A consultant specifies a heat recovery system for an air handling unit (AHU). Post-installation, BEMS trend logs confirm that the system is recovering 70% of exhaust air energy, aligning with design goals and reducing heating energy demand.

 

Enhancing Energy Efficiency with Advanced Analytics

 

Objective: Leverage BEMS data to uncover hidden inefficiencies and propose impactful energy saving strategies.

 

  • Energy Usage Analysis: Evaluate energy consumption trends to identify anomalies, such as excessive HVAC runtime or simultaneous heating and cooling.
  • Demand Response Strategies: Propose load shifting measures based on BEMS data, such as pre-cooling or pre-heating during off-peak hours.
  • Benchmarking: Compare data against similar facilities or industry standards (e.g., CIBSE TM54) to assess performance and identify improvement areas.

 

Example:

BEMS data reveals that chillers are cycling unnecessarily due to oversized equipment. The consultant recommends upgrading to modular chillers with variable speed drives, resulting in a 20% reduction in energy costs.

 

Supporting Compliance and Certifications

 

Objective: Use BEMS data to provide evidence for regulatory compliance and sustainability certifications.

 

  • Regulatory Standards: Verify compliance with UK Building Regulations (e.g., Part L), using trend data for energy consumption, ventilation rates, and system performance.
  • Sustainability Certifications: Support certifications such as BREEAM or LEED by providing data on energy efficiency, indoor air quality, and renewable energy usage.
  • Health and Safety: Use BEMS data to demonstrate compliance with indoor air quality requirements, such as maintaining CO₂ levels below thresholds defined in CIBSE TM40.

 

Example:

During a BREEAM assessment, a consultant uses BEMS data to prove that CO₂ levels in the building’s occupied zones consistently stay below 900 ppm, ensuring optimal indoor air quality.

 

Demonstrating ROI to Clients

 

Objective: Use BEMS data to provide tangible proof of project success and the financial value of your recommendations.

 

  • Energy Savings Evidence: Present kWh or cost savings achieved through upgrades, along with payback periods and ROI projections.
  • Reliability Metrics: Use alarm logs to show reduced downtime and maintenance needs after implementing new systems.
  • Occupant Comfort: Highlight how your designs maintain consistent indoor conditions, improving occupant satisfaction and productivity.

 

Example:

After a heating system upgrade, BEMS data shows a 30% reduction in gas consumption and improved thermal comfort, helping the client justify their investment.

 

Driving Future Innovation with Data

 

Objective: Use insights from BEMS data to refine future designs and improve specifications.

 

  • Identify Trends: Analyze long term BEMS data to identify recurring issues or inefficiencies, such as poor zoning control or seasonal imbalances.
  • Predictive Design: Incorporate insights from past projects into new specifications, such as improved sensor placement or enhanced controls for energy modulation.
  • Case Studies: Build compelling case studies from BEMS data to showcase successful projects, providing a competitive edge in securing new clients.

 

Example:

Trend data from a previous project shows significant energy waste due to poorly calibrated sensors. In future designs, the consultant specifies high-precision, factory calibrated sensors to avoid similar issues.

 

Collaborating with Stakeholders Using BEMS Data

 

Objective: Enhance communication with project teams, facilities managers, and clients through transparent and actionable data.

 

  • With Contractors: Share real time data during commissioning to ensure proper balancing and alignment with design specifications.
  • With Clients: Provide user friendly dashboards or periodic reports, enabling clients to understand system performance and identify improvement opportunities.
  • With Facilities Managers: Equip facilities teams with actionable insights, such as energy saving opportunities, system diagnostics, and maintenance schedules.

 

Example:

During commissioning, a consultant works with the BEMS contractor to adjust HVAC setpoints and sequencing, reducing overcooling complaints while achieving energy savings.

 

Practical Tools and Techniques

 

Actionable Steps:

 

  • Set Clear Metrics: Focus on measurable KPIs like energy intensity (kWh/m²), indoor air quality thresholds, and equipment uptime.
  • Leverage Visualization Tools: Use heatmaps, trend graphs, and comparative dashboards to make complex data understandable for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Automate Reporting: Collaborate with the BEMS contractor to create reports, simplifying data sharing with clients.
  • Maintain Data Records: Archive critical trend logs, commissioning data, and compliance reports for future reference.

 

Example Reports:

 

  • Energy Usage Report: Show reductions in HVAC energy consumption post-upgrade.
  • Comfort Performance Report: Display temperature and humidity stability trends.
  • Fault Log Analysis: Highlight reductions in equipment alarms after system optimization.

 

Case Study: AHU Refurbishment

 

Scenario:

 

A consultant specifies a refurbishment for a central AHU, focusing on improved heat recovery and demand based control.

 

Steps Taken:

 

  • Baseline Analysis: Pre-refurbishment BEMS data shows high energy usage due to continuous fan operation and low efficiency heat exchangers.
  • Post Refurbishment Data: The refurbished system integrates VSD fans, modulating dampers, and enhanced heat recovery coils. BEMS data shows a 40% reduction in energy consumption and improved temperature control.
  • Client Reporting: A detailed report, including energy savings trends and improved CO₂ levels, is shared with the client, supporting project handover and ROI demonstration.

 

Enhanced Benefits for Consultants and Specifiers

 

  • Evidence Based Decisions: Make informed recommendations by analyzing real world performance data.
  • Client Confidence: Provide transparent evidence of compliance, performance, and ROI.
  • Optimized Designs: Use historical data to refine future specifications and anticipate operational challenges.
  • Improved Collaboration: Enhance coordination with contractors, facilities teams, and clients using clear, actionable data.

 

Conclusion

 

By leveraging BEMS data effectively, consultants and specifiers can validate design performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and demonstrate ROI to clients. Enhanced collaboration, advanced analytics, and transparent reporting elevate the value of your expertise and build lasting trust with stakeholders. By integrating these strategies into their workflows, consultants and specifiers can maximize the impact of their projects and position themselves as a leader in energy efficient and performance driven building design.

BACK TO FAQS
Accreditations