White Paper

usa.siemens.com/buildingtechnologies
A white paper issued by: Siemens
© Siemens 2017. All rights reserved.
three systems also simplifies life for general contractors.
Separate controls usually mean three different vendors. When
all three are controlled by a common system and infrastructure,
the general contractor has only one controls vendor to manage
— one throat to choke, as the saying goes.
Antonsen also notes that separate controls make it more
difficult “to get a holistic view of the system,” so
commissioning one device that controls multiple room
functions may be easier.
For building owners, the savings — up to 35 percent, by
Siemens’ estimate — can have a major impact on the overall
project. In one case, for example, a tenant fitting out space
found that it could expand the use of shading thanks to the
savings from installing a single system to control HVAC,
lighting, and shades.
Reducing Clutter Brings a Cleaner Look
An architect designing space has to meet many goals specific
to the project. One priority is key on every project, however:
The space has to look good. Separate control devices for
HVAC, lights, and shades pose an aesthetic challenge, since
each will have a device on the wall.
Having thermostats, light switches, and shading controls on
the wall isn’t good news when it comes to aesthetics. “From a
design standpoint, walls already are frequently places for
artwork, LCD panels, and branding pieces,” says Lindsey
Mackey, architect at Margulies Perruzzi, an architecture and
interior design firm. “Aligning multiple, separate control
devices near the entry door can lead to a cluttered wall look.”
Devices on the wall are only part of the problem. “Each
control device may need some form of labeling, so building
occupants know which switch is the lighting switch versus
which switch operates the shading,” says Mackey. The
design benefit of a single device to control HVAC, lighting,
and shades in an office is clear: a cleaner look.
On the building’s exterior, an automatic shading system that
optimizes shading controls except when a particular
location needs adjustments for viewing training videos, for
example, also would provide visual advantages. “Many
buildings have beautiful facades that look messy because
shading isn’t being applied evenly across the fenestration,”
notes Mackey. “Integrating shading sensors that know when
glare could cause a problem and then lower or go up
accordingly benefits everyone.” Building occupants don’t
have to adjust for glare and potential new tenants see an
attractive, consistent exterior, she points out.
Single Control Offers Operational Benefits
When HVAC, lighting, and shading systems don’t talk to
each other, there’s no way for them to act in a synchronized
manner. And if those three systems operate without any
coordination, the result can be that systems “fight with each
other,” says Brad Cardoso, principal architect and manager
of project development and implementation at Hobbs Brook
Management, a developer, owner, and manager of Class A
office space. “You have the window treatments responding
to the brightness outside the building and then you’ll have
the interior lights responding to the darkening of the room.
The rooms are usually very bright when they’re getting
direct sunlight even when the shades are down, so there’s
no need for the artificial lighting to be turned on.”
Integrating the three systems can bring operational and
performance benefits that are valuable to building owners.
“By having all the systems integrated into one system you will
have the advantage of your HVAC, lighting, and shading
working in sync,” explains George Kerns, associate and
facilities/security project manager at Markon Solutions, a
consulting firm. “With three separate (controls) systems, they
aren’t going to work in harmony, which can lead to things like
glare, inconsistent temperatures, and tenant un-comfort. Not
to mention loss of efficiency and higher operating costs.”
When building controls are optimized they save energy,
improve occupant comfort, and increase worker
productivity. Accomplishing these three goals
simultaneously in buildings requires precise balancing of
HVAC, lighting, and shading so that each responds
seamlessly to the actions of the other two.
Savings Through the Life of the Building
Once commercial office space is built, many factors lead to
changes and modifications inside the workplace. From the
building owner perspective, reconfiguring space in a
traditionally zoned building makes changing office space to suit
White Paper | June 2017
Installing a single system to control HVAC, lighting, and shading
can bring substantial savings in construction costs compared to
installing separate controls for all three systems.