Can a smart HVAC system help save the world?

Buildings are major contributors to global energy consumption and emissions, so they're also essential in our journey towards a more sustainable future. Statistics from the World Economic Forum (WEF) suggest that buildings account for 40% of total energy usage worldwide - with 1/3rd resulting in greenhouse gas production. Considering on average, HVAC accounts for 40% of a building's energy use and most commercial buildings in the world have an HVAC system (and many are very old and inefficient), the impact on global carbon emissions is clear to see. And it’s not good.

The demand for air conditioning in both residential and commercial buildings is anticipated to escalate in the coming decades, but have you ever wondered what's driving this trend? It's no secret that global warming is a major issue, but a recent study has revealed humidity could be an even bigger problem. As temperatures rise globally and climates become more humid, HVAC systems must work harder to achieve the same results. Chennai's sweltering India is expected to see an increase in the energy consumption of air conditioners by 14% in 2050. Milan will see this growth as high as 41%.

With annual heatwaves and record temperature swings, HVACs are in demand and having to work harder continues the damaging cycle. In order to break the cycle we need to find ways to drastically reduce HVAC’s impact on the planet.

There are reasons to be hopeful that emissions from HVAC can be reduced and have a positive impact. Recently we’ve seen the news that the Ozone layer, our planet's protective shield, has begun showing signs of recovery. This encouraging news gives us an opportunity to reflect on how taking action on climate initiatives can help reverse environmental damage.

The journey to cutting 1 Billion Tonnes + of CO2

Making HVAC systems smarter can be a game-changer for global carbon emissions. With the potential to reduce worldwide carbon emissions from HVAC systems by 50%, [ACEEE, 2017], the impact of smart HVAC solutions cannot be understated. Currently, HVAC systems contribute close to 2 Billion tonnes of CO2 to the atmosphere and that is expected to grow globally by a whopping 80% by 2050 if current trends continue. Cutting that in half would have a considerable impact.

You can now save energy with sophisticated controls that consider factors such as occupancy levels and environmental conditions. This smart system allows you to maximise the efficiency of every watt used, empowering your business for greater sustainability.

Additionally, smart HVAC technology is making a huge difference in the way building owners manage their renewable energy sources. By recognising when peak demand and grid prices are high, it can rapidly shift operations to solar power, helping both small-scale and large-scale buildings take advantage of sustainable solutions. This will drastically reduce global carbon emissions, ultimately contributing to the preservation of our planet.

​​Investing in low-carbon design and efficient buildings is already delivering positive results - but with many older building stocks set to still be around for the next half-century, cost-effective measures such as smart HVAC software offer an exciting opportunity to make real progress quickly.

One such solution, CubeOS puts data to use adapting HVAC performance proactively based on real-time space utilisation. By predicting changes, CubeOS can continuously tweak HVAC needs to counter rises in CO2 and temperature or start reducing airflow as people leave zones in a building. This means that buildings can be kept at a comfortable temperature without wasting energy.

At Incube Space, we're on a mission to create environmentally-friendly solutions for the HVAC industry. That's why we've developed CubeOS - an innovative software platform that works 24/7 as your virtual building engineer. It analyses usage in real-time and fine-tunes heating and cooling performance via the BMS with accuracy and precision; allowing facility teams to focus their energy on upkeep and operations while reducing carbon emissions along the way.

To learn more about Incube Space and CubeOS, click here


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About Incube Space

Incube Space is a predictive building intelligence startup that is helping commercial real estate owners reduce their energy waste whilst ensuring optimal indoor air quality.