The best example of multi-sensor, the device is certainly KNX Weather Station ready for measuring different variables useful in establishing energy efficiency actions and control strategies that help achieve LEED.
Knowing precisely the outside temperature, if it is day or night, if it's raining, wind speed, solar azimuth and the level of external brightness is very useful for efficient programming of lighting and air conditioning, and even control irrigation, stopping it if it's raining or activating at night to avoid evaporation losses too.
Have far more than one variable in the same product, can minimize the number of elements necessary for the control, which reduces the cost of implementation of each project of sustainable construction. KNX has a wide variety of weather stations, which allows the architect to choose the most suitable not only in functionality but also in design.
KNX has a wide variety of weather stations, which allows the architect to choose the most suitable not only in functionality but also in design.
LEED STRATEGIES INFLUENCE
26 LEED POINTS | 4 POINTS BY KNX |
Sustainable sites
A.1. Maintain site lighting to prevent light pollution
Savings from lighting according to requirements
It can limit the emission of light to the outside, by lowering blinds or shutters step-shielding of the inner light outside the building.
This drop can be performed automatically using integrated twilight sensors KNX weather stations that measure the brightness outside and allow natural light during the day and lower the blinds and shades at night, as well as in public housing. These twilight sensors can activate and deactivate the lighting outside the building by switching on the exterior lighting when the light outside is low, at dusk for example, and switching it off when the sun starts to rise in the morning and natural light outside is sufficient.
Integration in a control system allows a dynamic control of the heat and especially the light, according to the needs of each area of the building, by taking atmospheric changes and the external temperature.
A.2. Harvest rainwater
Activation of pumps according to requirements. They will only be used when strictly necessary
KNX weather station detects when it is raining and prepare the system for collecting water.
10 LEED POINTS | 6 POINTS BY KNX |
Water efficiency
B.1. Install Submeters
It is possible to locate elements or rooms that consume more water than the average and then correct this trend and save on resources and energy
KNX weather station is common to other processes or strategies. In this particular case it can monitor meteorological variables (rainfall, wind speed and temperature) and overlay these variables with consumption data, and therefore contextualise whether water consumption (irrigation) increases are due to poor rains.
B.2. Select efficient irrigation technologies
Efficient use of irrigation valves and water
KNX weather station is common to other processes or strategies. In this particular case, it detects whether it is raining, and cancels the irrigation process accordingly. This saves either stored water (from rainwater) or water consumed directly from the public supply system
14 LEED POINTS | 1 POINT BY KNX |
Materials & Resources
D.1. Design smaller, more flexible homes and buildings
Buildings can be designed more rationally to save energy
The KNX weather stations multifunction sensors are capable of carrying out control mechanisms more precise and integrated with fewer elements, using multi-sensors that measure various magnitudes in the same device: external brightness, wind, rain, outside temperature, sun position, GPS, ...
15 LEED POINTS | 5 POINTS BY KNX |
Energy & Atmosphere
E.6. Control Humidity
Dehumidifiers are energy intensive, so if their operation can be avoided, a lot of energy can be saved.
Optimum humidity control is integrated with other related systems that improve the energy efficiency of the whole, such as the ventilation system of the building or the KNX weather station that indicates if it is raining or if there is a high level of external humidity that prevents dehumidifying by ventilation.
Dehumidification can also be achieved more efficiently, with less energy, by ventilating the room, provided the outside air conditions are suitable. This control data is provided by the weather station, indicating whether the day is humid (rain sensor) or if the external air humidity is high (humidity sensor).
E.7. Daylighting
Using the adequate and necessary amount of light helps to reduce lighting-related energy expenditure, which is usually quite high.
If the interior brightness average is available via sensors, it is feasible to adjust the artificial light depending on the amount of natural light. The control system is able to perform this type of constant light adjustment in response to the defined comfort and usage policies.
It must be taken into account factors that complicate the regulation, such as sudden changes in external brightness (a partly cloudy, partly sunny day), so no abrupt changes in the interior lighting are caused. It must be also taken into account the unpleasant effect of brightness increasing or decreasing quickly. The programming should provide for such everyday situations so that it is not a nuisance in the activity carried out in the area of the building with these types of regulations. The sensor may even be blocked for a while if sudden changes are detected, thanks to the brightness and sun position sensors (azimuth, height, coordinates). Its data is sent by the external KNX weather station and it can be used in these types of controls.
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