If you look around at the Lehigh Valley’s modern commercial buildings, you’ll notice more than just design and appearance. Today’s commercial projects focus on how the building itself operates. Efficiency, reduced operating costs, sustainability, and long-term performance (as in, five to ten years into the future) are now top priorities.
Smart building technologies are now part of the fundamental conversations for new commercial construction and major renovation projects throughout the Lehigh Valley. Businesses spanning healthcare, office, industrial, and mixed-use sectors are asking similar questions about how smart technology can improve the way their buildings function, both now and well into the future.
If a commercial construction project is on your horizon, these are the smart building technologies to consider. Our design team at Jerdon Construction can help you navigate what your new space needs now to be operationally future-ready for tomorrow.
Definition of ‘Smart’ in Smart Building Technology
The phrase “smart buildings” has become a common misnomer for many. The main premise behind smart building technology is using data and connectivity to help create automation and monitoring of a building’s operations and performance.
Examples of smart building technology include:
- Building Automation Systems (BAS): BAS is an automated system that allows users to manage the building’s energy use, lighting, HVAC, etc., from one central location.
- Smart Lighting System: A smart lighting system adjusts the amount of light emitted by each fixture based upon the number of people occupying the area and/or the amount of natural daylight present in the space.
- Smart HVAC: A smart HVAC system responds to current real-time environmental conditions, versus relying solely upon fixed, pre-scheduled operating parameters.
- Sensors: Temperature sensors, air quality sensors, occupancy sensors, etc.
- Security & Access Control: Improved security and access control utilizing data and connectivity.
When smart building technology is properly designed and implemented, it will reduce the operational complexities of a building and provide the owner with data-driven decision-making capabilities, rather than simply reacting to problems.
Why Commercial Property Owners Are Focused on Smart Building Technologies
Increasingly, rising energy costs are putting a lot of pressure on building owners to be more efficient with their energy usage. There is also increasing interest from tenants, regulatory agencies, and corporate leaders for sustainable, energy-efficient, and well-maintained buildings, which are attractive to potential tenants.
Smart Building technology improves operational efficiency. With smart technology, you have the ability to remotely monitor your building and identify problems before they cause disruptions or become costly repairs. This allows building managers to prevent downtime and manage operating expenses.
Industries such as healthcare and professional offices require high levels of occupant comfort and reliable HVAC/ plumbing systems, along with good indoor air quality. Smart building technology enables owners to maintain consistent building conditions and conserve energy at the same time.
Benefits of Smart Building Technology for Building Owners
The primary advantage of a smart building is that it allows the owner to operate more efficiently and track building performance through a variety of metrics.
From an operational efficiency standpoint, automation can continually optimize energy use by monitoring real-time building needs, resulting in measurable savings through reduced energy costs and lower overall energy consumption.
Building owners may also see improvements in tenant satisfaction with smart tech. Occupants appreciate consistent temperatures, improved indoor air quality, and adequate lighting, all of which contribute to a more comfortable work environment.
Another benefit of designing a smart building is its adaptability. Today’s systems (software and infrastructure) are designed to scale as technology evolves or as your building’s operational needs change. This level of scalability helps protect long-term investments and reduces the need for costly upgrades in the future.
If those perks don’t have you convinced, a smart building also provides owners and managers with access to detailed performance data related to energy usage, system efficiency, and overall building operation. This kind of information can then be used to make informed decisions about potential improvements over time.
Importance of Incorporating Smart Technology Early in the Construction Process
When smart building technology is incorporated during the design and initial construction phases of a commercial construction project, the infrastructure can be developed by the building owner. The electrical, mechanical, and IT systems that make up this infrastructure can be planned, automated, and connected to one another at the same time.
Using an experienced general contractor in the Lehigh Valley area is essential to successfully integrating smart building technology. Proper integration also requires coordination among architects, engineers, and/or specialty trade contractors. Coordinating all parties prior to construction can reduce costly change orders, create a smoother construction process, and provide cost savings when compared to retrofitting.
How to Avoid Challenges Associated with Smart Building Technology
While smart building technology offers many advantages, these projects are not without challenges. One of the most common concerns is the upfront cost. Owners who are new to smart building systems will often have questions about how to evaluate long-term return on investment. In other words, it can be hard to justify some of the upfront costs without a clear understanding of just how beneficial those investments will be for your organization in the future.
The other challenge is knowing which smart building technologies are actually smart, versus hype. Of course, there’s always a new design, new system, and new trend to consider. Having the right commercial construction partner onboard with your project makes all the difference in knowing what to add, based on your needs.
Contractors with experience in smart building projects can help develop a comprehensive strategy, coordinate system integration, and guide owners in evaluating the long-term value of their technology investments.
FAQs About Smart Building Technology
What types of commercial buildings benefit most from smart building technology?
Smart building technology can be applied across many commercial building types, including healthcare facilities, office buildings, industrial spaces, warehouses, and mixed-use developments.
Is smart building technology only for new construction projects?
While smart building technology is most easily integrated during new construction, it can also be incorporated into renovation projects. However, retrofitting existing buildings may require additional planning and investment.
Are smart buildings more expensive to build?
Smart building systems may involve higher upfront costs compared to traditional building systems. When evaluated over the life of the building, smart technology can provide a strong return on investment.
How complex are smart building systems to manage?
Modern smart building systems are designed to simplify building management rather than complicate it. Many systems offer centralized dashboards and automated controls that make monitoring and adjustments easier for building owners and facility managers.
Building Smarter for the Long Term
Smart building technology isn’t about jumping on the latest bandwagon of trendy tech. It’s all about creating commercial spaces that are capable of adapting to changing needs, emerging technology, and the long-term requirements for operating a successful building.
For property owners who are currently in the planning stages of new construction or major renovations, incorporating smart building technologies into your design from the start will allow you to have a building that is higher performing, more efficient, and less expensive to maintain over the long run.
Selecting the right technology is just one part of the equation when it comes to implementing smart building systems. But choosing the right partner to work with is equally important. Working with a seasoned Lehigh Valley General Contractor like Jerdon Construction helps ensure that the smart building systems are integrated in a way that supports the overall operation of the building. To learn more about incorporating smart building technology into your next commercial project, contact us at Jerdon Construction to start the conversation.
