Many commercial buildings already have a Building Management System installed to control HVAC equipment and improve energy efficiency.

However, the presence of a BMS does not automatically guarantee that a building is operating efficiently.

In practice, many buildings still waste large amounts of energy because control strategies have not been optimised or maintained over time.

Systems Running 24 Hours a Day

One of the most common causes of energy waste is equipment operating continuously.

This often occurs when:

• schedules are disabled
• systems are placed in manual override
• time clocks are incorrectly configured

Fans, pumps and air handling units may continue running overnight or during weekends even when the building is unoccupied.

Simultaneous Heating and Cooling

Poor control tuning can cause heating and cooling systems to operate at the same time.

This can occur when temperature sensors drift out of calibration or when control sequences are incorrectly configured.

The result is energy being consumed by both systems while they work against each other.

Faulty Sensors

Temperature and pressure sensors gradually drift over time.

When sensors provide incorrect readings to the BMS, the system may operate plant equipment unnecessarily.

Examples include:

• cooling systems running when the building is already cool
• fans operating at higher speeds than required
• ventilation systems running longer than necessary

Overrides Left in Place

Temporary overrides are often used during maintenance or troubleshooting.

If these overrides are not removed, equipment may remain locked in a high-energy operating mode.

This is a surprisingly common issue in older systems.

Outdated Control Strategies

Older BMS installations often use control strategies that were designed many years ago.

Modern control techniques can significantly improve efficiency by using:

• variable speed drives
• demand-based ventilation
• improved scheduling
• better plant sequencing

Updating control strategies can deliver substantial energy savings without major equipment replacement.

Optimising an Existing BMS

In many cases a building already has the technology required to operate efficiently. The challenge is ensuring the system is properly configured and maintained.

An optimisation process typically involves:

• reviewing system schedules
• checking sensor calibration
• analysing trend data
• improving plant control sequences
• identifying equipment operating unnecessarily

These improvements can often reduce energy consumption while improving occupant comfort.

WR8TECH – Improving Building Performance

WR8TECH works with commercial property managers and building owners to optimise Building Management Systems across Sydney and Melbourne.

By analysing system operation and identifying inefficiencies, it is often possible to improve performance and reduce energy consumption without major capital upgrades.