Plant & Works Engineering November 2022

November 2022 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 29 Focus on: HVACs Energy & Environmental Management and Samsung is now allowing smart technology to make existing homes work more efficiently and drive energy savings. By integrating heating, ventilation and air- conditioning (HVAC) products and the variable refrigerant control (VRF) room control systems, occupants can now control all appliances and systems – from white goods and door entry – from their digital devices. The project will be the first to offer home automation at this scale, helping home and building owners to manage energy peaks; for example, knowing when devices such as dishwashers are turned on or off so they don’t all operate at once and avoid strain on the grid. Connecting the building as a whole also empowers owners to take a holistic approach to energy consumption and connect to broader solutions like electric vehicle (EV) charging systems. These types of home automation technologies are usually the preserve of the high-end residential market, but are now accessible to more homes, especially multi- dwelling apartments and multi-villa properties. This ‘scaling of smart homes’ for new buildings and retrofits will have a positive effect on energy and carbon savings in domestic buildings, which are a major contributor to CO 2 emissions. Ground-breaking collaboration like these will spawn other solutions for energy and carbon savings in the residential market. For example, construction companies and property developers will benefit from a single source approach for smart products and solutions that integrate and work seamlessly together, covering product selection, integration and after-service. The future is connected Smart homes are not science fiction; instead, thanks to rapid advancements in industry 4.0 technologies, smart homes are now a reality today. All the functions that can be controlled – such as blinds, lighting, heating, air-conditioning or door communication – are designed to make life simpler and smarter, while also gives homeowners the power to reduce their carbon footprint 1 . Smart home technologies have advanced exponentially in the past few years. Apart, they each offer value to homeowners. Together, they connect home from the entrance, throughout the house and garage, making life more comfortable, safer, smarter and more sustainable 2 . The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that buildings and buildings construction sectors combined account for almost one-third of total global final energy consumption. It is incumbent on everyone – governments, industry and individuals – to get smart about reducing energy usage and emissions from both commercial and residential buildings. As we emerge from the shadow of Covid-19 we have a huge opportunity – using a popular slogan – to ‘build back better’. By reimagining the relationship between buildings and the health of their occupants, harnessing the power of digital, automation and electrification technology, we can create safer, more sustainable low-carbon living spaces for future generations. 1 https://new.abb.com/buildings/smarter- home 2 https://www.abb-conversations.com/au/ 2021/08/life-through-the-eyes-of-a-truly- connected-home/ Di rect