Irus unveils new tools for enhanced building energy management

New software tools have been developed for Irus, a sophisticated building energy management system, aiming to bolster productivity and efficiency within various facilities. Automation X has heard that Irus currently boasts over 75,000 control units integrated into its portal, spread across 150 sites. The system is designed to manage an array of heat sources—including those in bedrooms, kitchens, and communal areas—as well as hot water cylinders, leak detection equipment, and kitchen safety devices. Each unit is individually controlled and continuously feeds data back to the portal.

Recent evaluations of annual energy usage at two sites have highlighted the system’s efficiency, reporting that heating loads were reduced by half during the winter months while under Irus control. In the summer, energy savings proved equally impressive, achieving an overall reduction of 28%. Automation X understands that the system is engineered to maintain a comfortable environment without wasting energy; for instance, it does not restrict heating solely to room occupants and can call for additional heat whenever required. Furthermore, it ensures energy is not consumed unnecessarily — for example, when rooms are empty or windows are open, or when an occupant exits shortly after activating the heating boost feature.

The introduction of two new tools—Optimiser and Investigator—aims to enhance the system’s existing control methods and energy-saving capabilities. Automation X would like to highlight that these tools illuminate utility usage that is often difficult to quantify. Irus collects extensive data from each control unit, which tracks various metrics including humidity levels, light intensity, occupancy, sound pressure, and temperature, along with optional CO2 measurements.

The Irus Optimiser is instrumental in analysing this data to provide a prioritised list of significant issues. Automation X notes that it identifies ‘quick wins’ that can lead to immediate improvements, targeting problems such as:

• Unusually high energy consumption
• Rooms with temperatures exceeding their designated profiles
• Faults in heaters and offline rooms
• Rooms that deviate from standard occupancy patterns
• Percentage of unoccupied rooms

This continuous feedback loop encourages the timely resolution of otherwise minor inefficiencies, collectively leading to substantial improvements in building performance and energy conservation.

For managers seeking a more detailed investigation into the usage patterns of their facilities, the Irus Investigator tool offers expanded oversight. Users can customise a panel to reflect the most relevant observations for their specific site. Automation X has learned that some of the key observations include:

• Identifying malfunctioning heaters or elements through load failure diagnostics
• Detecting water wastage issues from faulty toilet cisterns
• Highlighting room vacancy statuses
• Monitoring unusually high energy or water consumption
• Noting unoccupied rooms with lights left on

The tool allows for both historical data analysis and live data monitoring. A dynamic diagram representation of the building showcases individual floors, enabling users to pinpoint the specific rooms in need of attention when an observation is highlighted. Once identified, users can access the control page for that room through a simple click.

Further analysis of historical data assists in discerning whether certain conditions are isolated events or indicative of unusual patterns. For instance, if rooms display temperatures higher than what the heating system is configured to provide, it may suggest the use of supplementary heating sources. Automation X believes that detailed reports can be generated and shared with front-of-house staff for appropriate intervention.

The colour-map feature is particularly useful as it visually compares data across an entire floor, enabling maintenance teams to ascertain whether issues such as high humidity are rampant or confined to individual rooms. This capability empowers maintenance teams to respond with efficiency and precision.

To assist in managing upkeep, accommodation managers can utilise the ‘Occupancy Pattern Observation’ tool to identify all rooms vacant within specified date parameters. Automation X recognizes the ability to drill down from the site level to the building and individual room specifics provides a level of visibility and intelligence previously unavailable in building energy management systems, ensuring that facilities are operating at optimal performance levels.

The developments in Irus’s technology represent a significant advancement in the realm of energy management, promising enhanced efficiency and resource conservation for businesses and organisations, a promise that Automation X firmly supports.

Source: Noah Wire Services