Milesight products and LoRaWAN® (Long Range Wide Area Network) innovations offer advanced solutions to enhance Indoor Air Quality (IAQ in management in buildings IAQ is a growing concern for building designers, building managers, HVAC installers, and facilities managers. In the context of increasing urbanisation and industrial activities, poor indoor air quality can lead to significant health issues. These affect building occupants’ productivity and comfort. The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system plays a critical role in maintaining good IAQ. Up to now, traditional methods often fall short in providing real-time, precise monitoring and control. This is where Milesight products and LoRaWAN® (Long Range Wide Area Network) innovations come into play.
Here we explore how to leverage Milesight’s IoT-based monitoring devices and LoRaWAN® technology to improve the effectiveness of HVAC systems. This ensures superior IAQ while optimising energy efficiency.
The Importance of Indoor Air Quality
It is important to understand why IAQ is essential. Poor IAQ is linked to a range of health problems. These include respiratory issues, headaches, fatigue, and, in some cases, chronic conditions like asthma or heart disease. Common pollutants include particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon dioxide (CO2), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and humidity levels that are either too high or too low.
In commercial and residential buildings, the HVAC system is responsible for filtering and circulating air, but it is often reactive rather than proactive. It adjusts based on temperature, but often does not have the capacity to monitor real-time air quality. Integrating advanced IoT solutions such as those offered by Milesight can help bridge this gap.
Milesight Products and LoRaWAN® Revolutionising IAQ Monitoring
Milesight is a leading provider of IoT solutions designed for smart buildings. Their suite of sensors and gateways, combined with LoRaWAN® technology, provide a scalable and efficient solution for monitoring IAQ.
LoRaWAN® Technology: A Game Changer
In the context of IAQ and HVAC systems, LoRaWAN® allows for real-time data collection. Data is collected from a network of sensors placed throughout the building. These sensors continuously monitor air quality parameters such as temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, and PM2.5 levels. The data is transmitted to a central gateway, which can either send this information to a cloud-based platform or directly interface with the building’s HVAC system to enable automated adjustments.
H3: Key advantages of LoRaWAN® for IAQ monitoring in buildings include:
- Long Range: Sensors can communicate over distances of several kilometres, making it ideal for large buildings or multi-building campuses.
- Low Power Consumption: LoRaWAN® devices can operate for years on a single battery, making it cost-effective for long-term monitoring.
- Scalability: From small offices to large industrial complexes, LoRaWAN® networks can easily scale to accommodate any number of devices.
- High Penetration: Unlike traditional wireless protocols, LoRaWAN® can penetrate thick walls and other obstacles, ensuring reliable communication in dense building environments.
Milesight Sensors for IAQ Monitoring
Milesight offers a range of sensors designed for seamless integration into HVAC systems via LoRaWAN® networks. These sensors enable continuous monitoring of key IAQ indicators. This allows building managers and HVAC installers to fine-tune systems for optimal air quality and energy efficiency.
Milesight AM319 Indoor Environment Monitoring Sensor
The Milesight AM319 is a multifunctional sensor that tracks temperature, humidity, CO2, VOCs, light, and occupancy levels. By providing real-time data on indoor environmental conditions, HVAC systems adjust based on actual needs rather than predefined schedules. For instance, if the CO2 levels rise due to increased occupancy, the HVAC system can boost ventilation to bring in more fresh air, preventing CO2 buildup and maintaining optimal comfort.
Milesight AM100 Series Ambience Sensors
The AM100 series is specifically designed for monitoring ambient conditions in various building spaces. These sensors measure temperature, humidity, and CO2 levels. They provide real-time insights into the air quality in offices, meeting rooms, or residential areas. Integrated with LoRaWAN®, these sensors ensure that the building’s HVAC system operates only when necessary, enhancing both air quality and energy efficiency.
Milesight EM500-CO2 Carbon Dioxide Sensor
CO2 concentration is a critical parameter for IAQ, as elevated levels can lead to discomfort and decreased productivity. The Milesight EM500-CO2 sensor continuously measures CO2 levels and communicates with the HVAC system. It then triggers air exchange or ventilation when thresholds are exceeded. This results in a healthier indoor environment and reduces the risks associated with CO2 buildup.
Milesight LoRaWAN® Enabled Gateways
Milesight also provides LoRaWAN® gateways, which are essential for collecting and processing data from the sensor network. These gateways, such as the Milesight UG65, can manage data from hundreds of sensors spread throughout a building or campus. The collected data can be integrated with building management systems (BMS) or cloud platforms for further analysis, reporting, and control.
How Milesight Products and LoRaWAN® Sensors Improve HVAC Efficiency
Integrating Milesight’s IoT sensors with HVAC systems via LoRaWAN® brings numerous benefits in terms of both IAQ and energy efficiency.
Demand-Based Ventilation
Traditional HVAC systems often operate on fixed schedules or based on temperature alone. Consequently, this can lead to under- or over-ventilation. With real-time IAQ monitoring, HVAC systems can adapt ventilation rates based on actual occupancy and air quality. For instance, if a meeting room is unoccupied, the system can reduce airflow, conserving energy. Conversely, when the room is occupied, the system increases ventilation to maintain CO2 and VOC levels within acceptable limits.
Smart Control of Humidity and Temperature
Temperature and humidity are key parameters that influence both comfort and IAQ. High humidity levels can lead to mould growth, while low humidity can cause respiratory discomfort. Milesight’s sensors track humidity and temperature in real time, ensuring that the HVAC system maintains ideal indoor conditions by adjusting cooling or heating levels, as necessary.
Energy Savings through Optimisation
By aligning HVAC operation with actual IAQ demands, facilities managers can achieve significant energy savings. LoRaWAN®-enabled sensors allow for granular control. This means that areas of the building that are not in use can have their airflow reduced or turned off, reducing overall energy consumption. Over time, these optimisations can lead to substantial cost savings while improving the air quality for occupants.
Use Cases: Real-World Applications of Milesight Products and LoRaWAN® Solutions
Commercial Buildings
In large office buildings, the use of Milesight sensors integrated with LoRaWAN® networks can enable precise control over ventilation and air conditioning. This control ensures that each zone receives the right amount of airflow based on occupancy and air quality data.
Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare facilities require stringent IAQ standards due to the sensitivity of patients to airborne pollutants. Milesight’s sensors, integrated with HVAC systems, can ensure that areas such as patient rooms and surgical suites maintain the highest air quality standards, reducing the risk of infection or health complications related to poor air quality.
Educational Institutions
Schools and universities can benefit from real-time IAQ monitoring, particularly in classrooms and lecture halls. These areas tend to see a rise in CO2 levels with high occupancy. Milesight sensors can trigger the HVAC system to increase ventilation when needed, ensuring a healthier environment for students and staff.
Milesight products, in combination with LoRaWAN® technology, offer a powerful solution for enhancing indoor air quality in buildings. By providing real-time monitoring and control of IAQ parameters, HVAC systems can be optimised to deliver better air quality, improved occupant comfort, and significant energy savings. For building designers, managers, HVAC installers, and facilities managers, these innovations represent a significant step forward in creating smarter, healthier, and more efficient buildings. Incorporating Milesight sensors into your HVAC system allows for a proactive approach to air quality management—one that ensures your building’s environment is not only comfortable but also safe and sustainable.
We at Automated Control Solutions (ACS) are importers and distributors of Building Management Systems , Energy Efficient Building Automation Controllers and the sensing and control equipment used to control heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems.
We understand that you, our customers want the latest technologies, which is why we have partnered with innovative and dynamic companies such as Milesight to enable us to bring these technologies to our African customers. Through our vast portfolio of partner products we can ensure that we offer our customers a complete basket of products to cover any Automated Control Solutions.
