2.IV.iii. Building Automation and Controls (BACs) – OVERVIEW
Building Automation and Controls (BACs) in Austria are regulated in Chapter 8.1 of the OIB Guideline 6 as published in March 2019, where detailed specifications for centralised heat emission and heat distribution systems have been provided.
Within the voluntary klimaaktiv18 certification scheme there are in addition specific requirements, e.g., for heating systems.
There are also some requirements when applying for comprehensive renovation subsidies like “Mustersanierung” – one has to guarantee a comprehensive monitoring to prove highest system performance after renovation: see the “Leitfaden Mustersanierung”19.
The regulations on technical installations in the Brussels-Capital Region establish requirements in terms of control and automation both at the level of heat/cold production, distribution and heat/cold emitters.
These requirements currently apply when a boiler is installed or replaced.
However, in order to comply with Article 14(4) of Directive 2018/844, a preliminary draft has been drawn up to extend the regulation requirements currently in force and, in particular, to include a requirement for an automation and control system for heating and AC systems with a capacity exceeding 290 kW located in buildings where more than 50% of the floor area is occupied by non-residential EPB units.
The Flemish Government is implementing a set of new requirements for BACS in large non-residential buildings starting in 2025. The feedback collected from stakeholders suggests possible issues with the introduction of BACS in existing public buildings, especially schools. The high installation costs could disrupt already tight budgeted renovation schemes for these buildings. VEA will, in collaboration with different stakeholders, examine in which cases there need to be exceptions because of economic or functional feasibility.
It is also the intention to implement a certification scheme for all existing large non-residential buildings based on metered consumption. Compliance with the requirements on the installation of BACS could be checked as part of this certification scheme.
By end 2019, it is not mandatory to install any kind of system regulation for heating and/or cooling. Nevertheless, a system for automatic regulation is set up most of the time on the field (from basic to evolved ones).
Along with the transposition process of Directive (EU) 2018/844, a mandatory system regulation requirement with two levels will be set:
- A 'standard' level, which will be applied to all heating and/or cooling systems when a generator is installed or replaced. This level will include the self-regulating devices requirement of Directive (EU) 2018/844, Article 8.1;
- An 'advanced' level, which will be applied to bigger systems. This level will include the buildings automation and control devices required by Articles 14 & 15 of Directive (EU) 2018/844. The nominal thermal power threshold will be 290 kW.
No data available
Requirements on Building Automation and Controls are implemented in the building act (Official Gazette 153/2013, 20/2017, 39/19, 125/2019) and Technical Regulation on energy savings and thermal protection in buildings (OG 128/2015, 70/2018, 73/2018, 86/2018, 102/2020) according to Directive (EU) 2018/844 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 amending Directive 2010/31/EU on the energy performance of buildings and Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency.
In 2019, the draft legislation was concluded to harmonise and implement Directive 2018/844/EU in national legislation. This foresees that where technically and economically feasible, non-residential buildings with an effective rated output for heating systems or systems for combined space heating and ventilation of over 290 kW are equipped with building automation and control systems (BACs) by 2025. Similar legal requirements will be established for cooling systems or systems for combined space cooling and ventilation of over 290 kW.
The economic feasibility of BACs mentioned above is defined by their depreciation, which has to be less than three (3) years, and on the condition that BACs are a more financially viable solution than the frequent inspection of the heating or AC system.
The Czech Republic has set regular inspection schemes for heating and AC systems. In accordance with Directive 844/2018/EU, exemptions have been introduced for such systems in buildings equipped with an automation and control system which meet the requirements specified in the national legislation transposing the EPBD. In this case, the building automation and control system is a system comprising all products, including software and engineering services that support the safe, economic, energy-efficient operation of the technical building systems through automatic controls which still allow for manual intervention in order to set some input parameters. Installation of BACs in the Czech Republic must follow the technical standard ČSN EN 15232-1 Energy Performance of Buildings - Part 1: Impact of Building Automation, Controls and Building Management - Modules M10-4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The installation of BACs is promoted by the State with financial instruments supporting the implementation of energy management as described in section 2.II.v and vi. For example, the EFEKT programme provided a total funding of 316,000 € in 2017-2019, and 308,000 € in 2020. The support is aimed to regions, municipalities and city districts of over 5,000 inhabitants, voluntary associations of municipalities, and business entities.
Denmark has implemented all relevant EPBD requirements, including the threshold of 290 kW. However, since the energy performance of buildings and the calculation methodology normally makes BACs one of the easiest ways to fulfil the requirements, Denmark expects that most buildings under the threshold of 290 kW also choose to have BACs.
According to the 'Requirements for Technical Building Systems that considerably affect Building energy efficiency' regulation11, the automation system to be installed shall enable the monitoring of the operation of all technical systems located in the building and control it in accordance with the operating hours of the building.
Furthermore, the automation system to be installed in an office or educational and research building shall enable the control of general lighting in a manner which takes into account the use of premises and daylight.
Also, the Building Code16 specifies that for a non-residential building’s actual or designed heating or cooling system whose rated capacity exceeds 290 kW, an automation system must:
- make it possible to constantly control and monitor the building’s energy consumption and to collect and analyse the building’s energy performance consumption data;
- make it possible to analyse the building’s energy performance in a comparative manner so as to ascertain any reductions in the energy performance of the building’s utility systems, in order to notify the building’s owner or the operator of the building’s utility systems of possibilities for improving the energy performance;
- provide for data transmission between a utility system with a significant impact on the building’s energy performance, which is connected to the building’s automation system, and other equipment located in the building;
- provide for interoperability between technical solutions, equipment and utility systems which belong to different manufacturers to achieve a significant impact on the building’s energy performance.
Preparation of legislation pertaining to Building Automation and Controls (EPBD Article 8), that was started in 2019, is ongoing, and is expected to be concluded in spring 2020.
In 2018, the EPBD introduced an all-new rule making it mandatory for non-residential buildings powered by a heating or cooling system with an effective rated output reaching more than 290 kW to be ‘equipped with building automation and control systems by 2025.’ (Art. 15).
A decree led by the Ministry of Territories Cohesion & Relation with Territorial local Communities, currently going through mandatory consultation, is about to transpose these articles in France. This text sets all the technical requirements that automation and control systems must meet in accordance with the EPBD and, as set by the Directive, will allow exemptions for existing buildings when meeting the requirements is technically or economically impossible.
The Directive also provides that Member States shall require buildings ‘to be equipped with self-regulating devices for the separate regulation of the temperature in each room’ (Art. 8). As seen in part 2.IV.ii, for new buildings, the French laws are already asking for such equipment. The decree mentioned above will extend this rule to existing buildings when technically and economically feasible.
The German Energy Act offers new possibilities as building automation is now also considered in residential buildings within the reference building method. The effects will be calculated according to the DIN V 18599.
The inclusion of Building Automation and Controls in buildings has been discussed and the adaptation of Directive 844/2018/EU in the Greek legislation (expected in early 2020) will require automation and control systems to be installed in non-residential buildings with heating systems or combined heating and ventilation systems with a high output power, if technically and economically feasible, which will allow:
a) continuous monitoring, recording, analysis and adjustment of energy consumption;
b) the comparative evaluation of the energy efficiency of the building, identifying losses in the efficiency of technical building systems and informing the person in charge of the facilities or the technical management of the building on ways to improve energy efficiency;
c) communication with interconnected technical building systems and other devices within the building.
The same approach applies for the AC systems.
It has been confirmed that the state supports the application of Building Automation and Controls measures by the inclusion of such systems in the next national energy efficiency programmes expected to be launched at the end of 2020.
Regulation under development.
For buildings with a heat generator with an effective rated output for space heating purposes of over 70 kW a building automation and control system should be installed for the building with the following functions:
- continuously monitoring, analysing and allowing for adjusting energy usage including that provided by RES technologies;
- benchmarking the building’s energy efficiency, detecting losses in efficiency of technical building systems, and informing the person responsible for the facilities or technical building management about opportunities for energy efficiency improvement;
- allowing communication with connected technical building systems and other appliances inside the building, and being interoperable with technical building systems across different types of proprietary technologies, devices and manufacturers, and
- monitoring the energy provided by RES technologies.
A building automation and control system and a building management system may be integrated into a single system. Controls and building management systems should be commissioned by competent persons and commissioning records kept for handover information.
Under current legislation, in case of new buildings or buildings undergoing major renovation, it is mandatory for the non-residential sector to satisfy a minimum level of automation for building control, regulation, and management (UNI EN 15232-1, Table 5, Class B).
In case of technical building system renovation, the energy audit must take into account the possibility to apply a minimum level of automation for building control, regulation, and management (UNI EN 15232-1, Table 5, Class B).
Italian incentives for building stock renovation also aim to promote the installation of BACs.
According to Directive 844/2018/EU, Italian law introduced the definition of BACs and made it mandatory to install BACs for heating plants with nominal heat output over 290 kW by 25 January 2025 if technically and economically feasible for non-residential buildings.
For the purpose of BACs the relevant regulation is planned to be amended and new regulation to be issued in 2020.
Requirements on building automation and electronic monitoring of technical building systems will be implemented by mid-2021 with the regulation concerning the energy performance of buildings. According to this future regulation, the building automation and control systems shall be capable of:
a. continuously monitoring, logging, analysing and allowing for adjusting energy use;
b. benchmarking the building’s energy efficiency, detecting losses in efficiency of technical building systems and informing the person responsible for the facilities or technical building management about opportunities for energy efficiency improvement; and
c. allowing communication with connected technical building systems and other appliances inside the building and being interoperable with technical building systems across different types of proprietary technologies, devices and manufacturers.
Mild climatic conditions in Malta do not create a need for the development of building automation systems, since the use of free cooling during mid-seasons is predominant. Until the proliferation of AC use in the last decade of the 20th century, energy waste due to lack of automated control was practically non-existent.
For non-dwellings, with particular focus on tourist accommodations, the development of building automation and control was more prevalent, since the benefits of energy savings were more pronounced and technologies for these kinds of applications were readily available.
The first minimum energy performance requirements which came into force in 2007 included the first provisions for control of lighting and other building services. The updated minimum requirements for building services in Malta (2015), Technical Document F Part 2, stipulated the minimum controls package required for various technical building systems.
Each package sets the control measures to be applied to a particular type of equipment and its rated output. Figure 9 is a typical example taken from Technical Document F Part 2.
| Table 5 Minimum controls package for heat pump systems | ||
|---|---|---|
| Heat source / sink | Technology | Minimum controls package |
| All types | All technologies | Controls package A a. On/off zone control; if the unit serves a single zone, and for buildings with a floor area of 150m2 or less, the minimum requirement is achieved by default b. Time control |
| Air-to-air | Single package Split system Multi-split system Variable refrigerant flow system |
a. Controls package A above b. Heat pump unit controls for: i. control of room air temperature (if not provided externally) ii. control of outdoor fan operation iii. defrost control of external airside heat exchanger iv. control for secondary heating (if fitted) c. External room thermostat (if not provided in the heat pump unit) to regulate the space temperature and interlocked with the heat pump unit operation |
| Water-to-air Ground-to-air |
Single package energy transfer systems (matching heating/cooling demand in buildings) |
a. Controls package A above b. Heat pump unit controls for: i. control of room air temperature (if not provided externally) ii. control of outdoor fan operation for cooling tower or dry cooler (energy transfer systems) iii. control for secondary heating (if fitted) on air-to-air systems iv. control of external water pump operation c. External room thermostat (if not provided in the heat pump unit) to regulate the space temperature and interlocked with the heat pump unit operation |
| Air-to-water Water-to-water Ground-to-water | Single package Split package |
a. Controls package A above b. Heat pump unit controls for: i. control of water pump operation (internal and external as appropriate) ii. control of water temperature for the distribution system iii. control of outdoor fan operation for air-to-water units iv. defrost control of external air side heat exchanger for air-to-water systems c. External room thermostat (if not provided in the heat pump unit) to regulate the space temperature and interlocked with the heat pump unit operation |
| Gas-engine-driven heat pumps are currently available only as variable refrigerant flow warm air systems. | Multi-split Variable refrigerant flow |
a. Controls package A above. b. Heat pump unit controls for: i. control of room air temperature (if not provided externally) ii. control of outdoor fan operation iii. defrost control of external airside heat exchanger iv. control for secondary heating (if fitted) c. External room thermostat (if not provided in the heat pump unit) to regulate the space temperature and interlocked with the heat pump unit operation |
Figure 9. Minimum controls package for heat pump systems as defined in Table 5 of Technical Document F Part 2.
Currently, Tech Doc F (2015) is being revised following the conclusion of the second set of cost-optimal studies, which have provided new insight with regards to technical building systems. Current requirements are expected to be superseded by new requirements which are currently being developed and which reflect developments in technology and the results of the cost-optimal studies. Provisions relating to BACS are planned to be introduced in these revised minimum requirements for each technical building system.
Commercial buildings with heating or air-conditioning systems with a capacity of more than 290 kW must have a building automation and control system (BACS) from 2026 onwards. These systems must be able to:
- monitor, keep up to date, analyse and enable energy consumption to be continuously monitored;
- test the energy efficiency of the building, detect the loss of efficiency of technical building systems and inform the manager of the facilities or technical installations on the possibilities for improving this;
- enable communication with connected technical building systems and other devices in the building. The systems should also be interoperable with technical building systems of different types of proprietary technologies, devices and manufacturers.
See 2.IV.i.
There is currently no information available for specific requirements for Building Automation and Controls. As part of the transformation of the power grid into a smart grid, the current activities focus on co-financing investments related mainly to the construction, modernisation or reconstruction of power grids, power stations, enabling the connection of energy generating units from RES and installing intelligent smart meters and network automation.
Although not mandatory in Directive 2010/31/EU, BACs were introduced in the current legislation as a type of technical building systems. BACs are mandatory for every building with thermal power for cooling or heating above 100 kW. These systems must be integrated with the individual systems for regulation and control and allow for centralised control. Whenever the previous reference value exceeds 250 kW, additional requirements are imposed, among which mandatory metering at certain building points, reporting capabilities about building use, energy consumption, among others or a minimum C class according to the EN 15232 standard (changed to B class in 2019).
According to amendment of Act 321/2014, if technically possible and cost-effective, the owner of a non-residential building with a total effective thermal output of a heating system higher than 290 kW or a total effective cooling capacity of an AC system higher than 290 kW is required to equip the non-residential building with a building automation and control system. This obligation will be effective from 2025 onwards.
According to the amendment of Act 555/2005, during major renovation of the building, the building owner is required to apply new and renewed technical building systems, to implement intelligent metering systems and to install building automation and control systems, including monitoring systems aimed at saving energy, if it is technically, functionally and economically feasible.
Amendment of Act 555/2005 sets the obligation for the building owner to comply with the requirements for electromobility infrastructure as provided by the 2018 amendment of the EPBD. Each non-residential building with more than ten parking spaces has to be equipped with at least one charging point and ducting infrastructure for at least one in every five parking spaces. Furthermore, each new residential building and residential building undergoing major renovation with more than ten parking spaces has to be equipped with at least one charging point and ducting infrastructure for every parking space, under conditions laid down in the Act. There are no regulatory barriers in permitting and approval procedures that would impede the implementation of these requirements.
Article 37 of the Act on Energy Efficiency defines the obligation to introduce building automation and control systems. Among others, non-residential buildings with a designed or installed heating system, AC system, combined heating and ventilation system or combined AC and ventilation system with a rated output of more than 290 kW must be equipped with building automation and control systems. BACs must meet the following functionality requirements in order to:
- continuously monitor, record and analyse energy consumption and enable the adjustment of energy consumption;
- compare the energy performance of a building against benchmarks, detect the loss of efficiency of technical building systems and inform the persons responsible for the building or the technical management of the building of the possibilities for improving energy efficiency;
- enable communication with connected technical building systems and other devices in the building while being interoperable with technical building systems between different types of technologies, devices and manufacturers.
BACs must meet the minimum requirements in terms of overall energy efficiency, appropriate sizing, adaptation and control of systems prescribed by the Minister. Buildings equipped with BACs are exempted from the obligation of regular inspection of AC and heating systems.
No data available.
The PBF was revised in 2020 with a new wording in Chapter 3 Requirements for construction works § 15, as well as a definition for the system for building automation and property management.
The PBF states that, as of 2025, buildings which are not residential shall be equipped with a building automation and control system if the effective rated output of the building's heating system, AC system or combined room heating or AC and ventilation systems exceeds 290 kW.
BBR (9:52) already states that the building must have a control and monitoring system in order to maintain good energy efficiency and thermal comfort. Heating, cooling and air treatment installations shall be equipped with automatic control equipment so that the supply of heating and cooling is regulated according to power requirements in relation to the outdoor and indoor climate and the intended use of the building.
Control of technical building systems are included in the Domestic and Non‐Domestic Building Services Compliance Guides25 26, the ADs7, and the Building Regulations3. The National Calculation Methodology (NCM) also provides additional benefits for more effective controls.
The new ADs for non‐residential buildings7 include benefits for installing automatic monitoring of the building’s energy performance and power factor correction equipment. E.g., the calculated Building Emission Rate (BER) may be reduced where management features are provided, which helps the new building to meet the maximum Target Emission Rate (TER). For “automatic monitoring and targeting with alarms for out of range values” the BER may be reduced by 5%.
Control of technical building systems are included in the Domestic and Non‐Domestic Building Services Compliance Guides17 18, the ADs5, and the Building Regulations. The National Calculation Methodology (NCM) also provides additional benefits for more effective controls.
The ADs5 for non‐residential buildings include benefits for installing automatic monitoring of the building’s energy performance and power factor correction equipment. E.g., the calculated Building Emission Rate (BER) may be reduced where management features are provided, which helps the new building to meet the maximum Target Emission Rate (TER). For “automatic monitoring and targeting with alarms for out of range values” the BER may be reduced by 5%.
In the published stage 1 Part L consultation document19 it has been proposed that if building automation and control systems are installed in new residential buildings, then information about the energy performance of the building automation and control system must be provided to the building owner. The forthcoming stage 2 consultation will provide proposals for existing residential buildings and non-domestic buildings.
Building automation and control systems are encouraged under the current National Calculation Methodologies (NCM). The control of technical building systems is addressed in the Domestic and Non‐Domestic Building Services Compliance Guides29 30 and Technical Booklets7 8.
The Department of Finance of Northern Ireland expects to review BACs requirements, which may include those within the Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificate and Inspection) Regulations 2008 (as amended), to ensure retrospective fitting of BACs in certain larger buildings conform with the EPBD (as amended by 2018/844/EU).
Control of technical building systems are addressed in the Scotland Domestic and Non‐Domestic Building Services Compliance Guides7 8 and the Technical Handbooks2 3. The National Calculation Method also provides additional benefits for more effective controls.
A review of the energy standards commenced in 2018; this review proposes to implement BACs in new non-domestic buildings, where technically and economically feasible, for air-conditioning or for combined air-conditioning and ventilation systems over 290 kW (effective rated output), in advance of broader requirements expected for 2025.