If increasing energy efficiency seems like a never-ending quest, here’s some good news: Building owners and operators can use large, high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) ceiling fans to help reduce energy-related costs and support their sustainability goals.

However, the key to successfully reducing energy costs with HVLS is to ensure interoperability with the building’s automation system (BAS).

In this blog post, you’ll learn about connected HVLS, including:

• What are HVLS ceiling fans?
• Why HVLS Connectivity to the BAS Matters
• The Role of Protocol Gateways in the Interoperability of Industrial Ceiling Fans
• Importance of Protocol Support in HVLS Fan Control Systems
• 3 Mistakes to Avoid When Using IoT Gateways to Control Temperature and Air Circulation

Energy Management for Commercial Buildings and Industrial Facilities

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), commercial buildings consume approximately 18% of the nation’s primary energy and 35% of total electricity.

Without question, the HVAC system is among the largest contributor to this level of consumption, which results in increasingly expensive energy bills for commercial building owners and industrial facility operators.

Unlike some operational expenses, however, energy is variable, not fixed. With this in mind, it is not a matter of whether building owners and operators should take control of their energy consumption, but a matter of how.

That’s where HVLS ceiling fans—especially those connected to the Building Automation System (BAS)—can help.

What are HVLS ceiling fans?

High-volume, low-speed fans are very large ceiling fans that help enhance air circulation by moving large volumes of air very slowly. They use less energy than other air-cooling solutions, including high-speed fans, which means they can reduce overall cooling costs in buildings, factories, and industrial settings.

Although large in size, they’re also quiet to operate and have a long useful life. In addition, HVLS ceiling fans can be used year-round to improve air circulation and quality, as well as help maintain consistent building temperatures.

How HVLS Can Reduce Energy Consumption (and Costs)

Running an HVLS ceiling fan to cool a commercial space takes a fraction of the energy it takes to run traditional HVAC. In addition to increasing energy efficiency and reducing costs by reducing energy usage, HVLS fans can:

• Optimize airflow based on temperature, humidity, CO₂, and occupancy sensor data
• Leverage external weather data, such as wind speed, temperature, and humidity, for real-time fan adjustment
• Use occupancy data and time-of-day schedules to automatically adjust intensity
• Enable predictive maintenance
• Reduce building maintenance and repair costs

Why HVLS Connectivity to the BAS Matters

For HVLS fans to truly be part of a building or facility’s larger cooling and HVAC system, they must be integrated with the building automation system. For example, a connected, interoperable system can help ensure that the HVAC system switches on when temperatures go above comfortable ranges for occupants.

Interoperability among fans, HVAC systems, and the BAS is made possible with an Internet of Things (IoT) solution like MSA FieldServer gateways. One of our customers used FieldServer gateways to enable integration and remote monitoring of its product to ensure proper air circulation, even-air distribution, space comfort, and maintenance.

Thanks to interoperability, building owners and operators can more effectively use their fan systems in conjunction with their larger cooling systems. In short, an interoperable system allows them to control indoor air quality and ensure that occupants are always kept safe and comfortable.

By running cooling systems only when necessary, owners and operators can immediately lower their energy consumption (and corresponding energy costs). According to ACHR News, when used in air-conditioned facilities, HVLS fans can allow owners and operators to increase their thermostat settings by as much as 5°F—without compromising occupant comfort. In dollars and cents, this seemingly minor adjustment can equate to energy savings of approximately 4% per degree.

The Role of Protocol Gateways in Interoperability of Industrial Ceiling Fans

Taking control of energy costs isn’t a byproduct of good intentions. It requires a strategic plan and a connected system to capture, process, and deliver data-informed insights to those who have the power to make efficiency decisions.

That’s where a FieldServer multi-protocol IoT gateway can really help. By enabling secure, encrypted connection between a wide variety of disparate devices, applications and platforms, FieldServer gateway solutions bring everything—including sensors, devices, legacy systems, and the BAS—together so that owners and operators can proactively identify energy-sucking devices and systems and resolve their energy-related issues.

Importance of Protocol Support in HVLS Fan Control Systems

Crucial to the interoperability of HVLS fans, HVAC systems, and the BAS is protocol support. An IoT gateway supports a variety of standardized protocols. This enables system integrators to implement a more cohesive, reliable, and future-ready platform for centralized energy metering and control.

FieldServer gateways support more than 140 protocols, including:

• BACnet: A widely used BAS protocol ideal for integrating HVAC, lighting, and fan systems
• Modbus: A common and easy-to-integrate protocol used for industrial control systems, including fan control
• LonWorks: Used in smart building automation, especially when integrating energy management systems, such as HVAC, fans, and lighting
• KNX: Good for integrating fan control with other building systems, although more commonly used in Europe than the U.S.

3 Mistakes to Avoid When Using IoT Gateways to Control Temperature and Air Circulation

Mistake #1.

Underestimating the Complexity of the Integration

DON’T assume that every implementation is the same. Even with an out-of-the-box solution, there are complexities within every integration that must be carefully considered and planned for.

DO understand that integrations are complex, especially when different systems and protocols, including BACnet, Modbus, or even proprietary fan controls, are involved. The right gateway, combined with a strategic plan, and testing are essential to ensuring a successful implementation.

Mistake #2.

Failing to Leverage Full Control Features

DON’T limit system capabilities to basic on/off controls. The right gateway can give owners and operators enhanced capabilities, including dynamic fan speed adjustment, integration of data from other sensors to optimize airflow, and cloud connectivity.

DO include a solution that provides instant access to a wide variety of data points per device. MSA’s FieldVEU, for example, provides real-time data and analytics about HVLS fans and other devices through cloud-registered FieldServer gateways.

Mistake #3.

Neglecting Scalability

DON’T forget to consider future growth or system changes. Failing to do so can lead to performance bottlenecks or an inability to scale up or down as needs change.

DO look for a gateway solution that enables seamless integration of legacy systems with new devices, sensors, and systems.

Cool, Calm, and Connected

Without question, HVLS fans can be an effective addition for building owners and operators looking to cut energy costs and optimize the efficiency of their HVAC systems. The key to creating a cool, calm, and connected system is to enable continuous monitoring with data-driven insights.

MSA’s FieldServer can help by equipping users with the information they need to identify potential inefficiencies and make sustainable, energy-saving adjustments.

For more information on how FieldServer gateways can support commercial building energy-saving initiatives, contact us.

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Sources:

• Energy.gov. About the Commercial Buildings Integration Program. https://www.energy.gov/eere/buildings/about-commercial-buildings-integration-program
• U.S. General Services Administration. Sustainable Facilities Tool: Relevant Mandates and Rating Systems. https://sftool.gov/explore/green-building/section/13/hvac/relevant-mandates-and-rating-systems#mandates
• Air Conditioning, Heating, Refrigeration News. Controlling Temperature and Curbing Energy Costs with HVLS Fans, Fabric Curtain Walls. https://www.achrnews.com/articles/139654-controlling-temperature-and-curbing-energy-costs-with-hvls-fans-fabric-curtain-walls