Connecting HVAC Systems to the Cloud

Leveraging the IoT to Enhance HVAC Operations

The internet of things (IoT) is having a major impact on building management. Connected sensors are allowing facilities managers to track a wide range of parameters from resource consumption, to space utilization, to temperature and light usage. By integrating this data with advanced building-management systems (BMS), it is possible to automate key functions, giving far greater control over the building. For example, lighting may be automatically turned down in areas that are unoccupied. With large-scale sites, efficiency is paramount.

One area that has great scope for optimization is heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). These systems are notoriously power-hungry as they are in almost constant use around the clock. IoT devices are capable of closely tracking the temperature in different rooms in a building and adjusting the heating or AC accordingly. 

To enable remote monitoring, there also has to be stable and secure connectivity. The HVAC equipment will be constantly sending detailed data, so coverage gaps or network outages can be disruptive, especially for mission-critical applications. Without control over the connectivity layer, it can also be easy for costs to over-run, causing unpleasant bill shocks. 

Not Disclosed

World’s largest manufacturers of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Founded in the early 1900s, this company is one of the world’s largest manufacturers of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

The company wanted an IoT solution that could support advanced functionality for its large-scale HVAC systems, including predictive maintenance. The company opted for the FX30 Gateway by Sierra Wireless, as the powerful mixture of functionality and reliability provides a sound platform for IoT connectivity. Further, the FX30 is designed for low power consumption. 

An IoT-based service depends on the reliability and quality of the connectivity link. Sierra’s Enhanced Carrier Connectivity solution simplifies this part of the IoT equation. 

Sierra’s Network Operation’s center is constantly monitoring the core network to pro-actively prevent any service disruptions. 

• [Efficiency Improvement - Customer Service]
  

  The result is reliable connectivity with minimal downtime.

• [Data Management - Data Availability]
  

  They also have a direct line with all Tier-1 operators so we can troubleshoot when network outages do occur and minimize service disruptions.