When designing or renovating a building, home automation and building automation are increasingly being discussed.
What is building automation?
Building automation is a system for automatically managing and controlling some of the systems in a home. The term “building automation” refers to the science of automating certain functions of the systems in a non-residential building. The primary objective of this system is to optimize a building’s performance by increasing its levels of livability, comfort, and safety.
How does a building automation system work?
Installing a controlled automation system is essential to transforming a building into a “smart” building. This requires the implementation of dedicated systems consisting of control devices and software that processes information using the systems’ integrated technology.
A building automation system can be used in various areas:
Home access control;
Lighting control and management;
Air conditioning management, also known as thermoregulation;
Security management;
Data collection and export.
The system is made even more effective through the synchronous operation of five different elements:
Sensors, which detect information from the surrounding environment;
Controllers, which collect sensor data and process responses to send commands;
Output devices, which enable the execution of commands;
The communication protocol, which allows the various parts of the system to communicate and interact with each other;
The operator interface, which allows the operator to remotely access and manage the system
Difference between building automation and home automation
The terms building automation and home automation are often used to refer to the same system. In reality, there is a difference in application between the two systems:
Home automation is a system for controlling and managing devices within a home, particularly appliances, lighting, motorized blinds, and shutters, which we discussed in a previous article.
Building automation, on the other hand, is aimed at improving a building, often for non-residential use or condominiums, as a whole, namely the management of technological systems, communication networks, and IT systems.
This allows us to say with certainty that building automation is superior to home automation. The main advantage is that, for example, within a single condominium, individual apartments can benefit from certain services in a “communal” manner, thus saving costs.
Smartphone Management
In practical terms, a building automation system involves connecting hardware and software from different systems within a single centralized control unit, which can be controlled via a smartphone app or other electronic device. For example, a simple mobile app allows you to control the switching on of lights, the temperature regulation of rooms, and the activation of shading systems.
The necessary certifications
A building automation system is tested and certified according to the KNX protocol, a global bus system. Any product labeled with the KNX mark has undergone conformity testing according to standardized KNX data. Companies belonging to the KNX Association boast more than 7,000 products. The certification process is controlled by a certification system developed by the KNX Association.
The advantages of building automation
It positively impacts a home’s energy savings thanks to the ability to remotely control and manage the on/off switching of certain systems, thus preventing waste and promoting greater energy efficiency. Further savings, in this case financial, will also be visible on bills. Finally, the automatic control system enables and promotes environmental sustainability, thus avoiding excessive use of energy resources.
Building automation and tax deductions
In addition to the benefits listed above, another advantage is related to tax deductions. Building automation systems are among the interventions covered by the Ecobonus. To qualify for this tax relief, the system must contribute to “the customized automatic management of heating, domestic hot water production, or summer air conditioning systems, including their remote control via multimedia channels.” With respect to the Ecobonus, the deduction applicable for this work is equal to 65% of the expenditure incurred.
The 110% Superbonus also covers building automation, which is deductible at 110% if associated with a so-called “driving” intervention. It is important to note that to benefit from this deduction, the work performed on the building must result in an improvement of at least two energy classes.
Each case must be evaluated individually to understand the possible solutions for achieving the best possible performance. In any case, it is recommended to seek the assistance of expert and certified technicians.