A BEMS (building energy management system) is a computer-based system that automatically monitors and controls building service plant, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical and water services.

What does a BEMS do?

The aim of a BEMS is to optimise energy efficiency and provide suitable conditions for building occupants.

With 45 to 65% of energy use in a building (typically) related to heating and hot water, a BEMS would prove a worthwhile investment, providing precise control and cost savings.

How does a BEMS work?

A BEMS displays real-time information on building service plant settings, via sensors and other measurement instruments.

This data is displayed on a user interface via a touch screen monitor or PC.

What are the benefits to a BEMS?

1. Weather compensated controls – using set points and parameters around the building – conditioning the inside building temperature, appropriate to the outside weather.

2. A BEMS ensures that building service plant operates to optimal levels. Most buildings without a BEMS tend to have plant operating inefficiently, thus wasting money on energy.

3. Provision of a user-friendly interface, allowing the end-user simpler interaction with functions of the BEMS and thus become less reliant on a service engineer.

4. A BEMS contains an alarm function that can alert on any plant failure. This is particularly useful for business/mission-critical plant.

Also, upgrading to the latest A class energy efficient plant, such as highly efficient condensing boilers can save vast amounts on energy use.

What are the big wasters of energy?

Dated systems or those with insufficient energy control systems.

Efficient plant may also be wasting energy, due to incorrect calibration of controls, i.e. plant unnecessarily operating outside of building occupancy hours, wasting money on energy.

What is involved in installing a BEMS?

The set-up and maintenance of a BEMS should be carried out by multi-skilled HVAC service engineers, who will have the greatest understanding of how plant practically operates. The multi-skilled engineers can also complete all associated electrical work, reducing set-up time and costs.

Installation is a combination of hardware and software work.

Is a BEMS user friendly?

The user control interface contains modern graphics and is simple to use – via control panel touch screen monitor or a PC. A PC is recommended for large buildings.

The controls interface is password-protected, to ensure only competent maintenance service engineers and end-users have access.

Further information

View information on Thermodial’s BEMS and controls service and examine our brochure below to view savings.