Which two subsystems are identified as primary targets for energy efficiency improvements in a building automation context?

Which two subsystems are identified as primary targets for energy efficiency improvements in a building automation context?

• A. Lighting control and HVAC systems
• B. Security and access control
• C. Elevators and escalators
• D. Fire suppression and emergency lighting

Answer: (A)

Energy efficiency in building automation most dramatically comes from optimizing the two systems that use the most energy in typical buildings: lighting control and HVAC. Lighting controls cut waste through occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, dimming, and scheduling, so lights run only when needed and at appropriate levels. HVAC controls adjust heating, cooling, and ventilation to match occupancy and conditions, using strategies like setpoint reset, demand-controlled ventilation, and variable-speed drives to run equipment only as intensively as required. Because these two areas usually dominate a building’s energy bill, improving their automation yields the largest gains in efficiency. Other subsystems do matter for safety, security, and reliability, but they generally don’t offer the same level of energy-saving potential as lighting and HVAC in most buildings.

Energy efficiency in building automation most dramatically comes from optimizing the two systems that use the most energy in typical buildings: lighting control and HVAC. Lighting controls cut waste through occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, dimming, and scheduling, so lights run only when needed and at appropriate levels. HVAC controls adjust heating, cooling, and ventilation to match occupancy and conditions, using strategies like setpoint reset, demand-controlled ventilation, and variable-speed drives to run equipment only as intensively as required. Because these two areas usually dominate a building’s energy bill, improving their automation yields the largest gains in efficiency.

Other subsystems do matter for safety, security, and reliability, but they generally don’t offer the same level of energy-saving potential as lighting and HVAC in most buildings.