Building Automation Systems (BAS) and VRF/VRV HVACs - The Challenge

Building Automation Systems (BAS) are the automated, centralized control of a building's electrical, lighting, shading, Access Control, Security Systems, HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), and other interrelated systems.

In our digital world, BASs are enabling buildings to become increasingly connected, remotely controlled, and energy efficient. IoT (Internet of Things) is revitalizing BAS, enabling it to support a range of new usage scenarios. Internet-connected BASs can capture more granular data, run sophisticated control strategies, and support smart maintenance. 

In this technological climate, facilities managers need to plan for an increasingly complex building IoT ecosystem, where the BAS is one of several systems producing building intelligence. But there is one catch. There doesn’t seem to be a simple, universal integration solution between the BAS and the most energy-consuming system within the buildings: The HVAC, and more precisely - VRF/VRV HVACs.

HVAC Components From Different Manufacturers Don’t Work Well Together

These are the main reasons why HVAC components from different manufacturers don’t easily work together, or aren’t meant to:
  •  They're communicating in different protocols, and each HVAC manufacturer has its own protocol
  • The integrators usually use the manufacturer’s gateway, but still need to write a compatible code for this protocol and implement it in the system 
  • If encountered with a new HVAC manufacturer brand in his next project, the integrator has to go through this time-consuming process all over again 

The Problem of Relying on 3rd Party Partners for HVAC System Integration  

The most common solution is offered by the HVAC manufacturers, which are actually third-party partners that enable the integration into the BAS system. This drives many challenges that most project designers encounter at every single step of the project. 
Stay Connected
Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive news and updates

What Exactly Gets So Complicated With a Manufacturer-based Solution?

The design and planning stage takes longer as time is spent searching for the brand-compatible HVAC gateway. Once the device is allocated, the understanding of the integration and set up process of the newly-found device becomes another time consuming task. 

During the installation phase the support procedures, which are performed by a third-party manufacturer (sometimes located at a different timezone and less available) can cause a bottleneck, especially if the problem occurs while onsite installation takes place.

And finally, the commissioning process of the HVAC system integration phase takes a long time to complete.

BAS HVAC Integration is Key

So why is the answer to all the issues mentioned above?

BAS is energy efficient, and allows for seamless and universal integration between all HVAC brands and BAS systems.

What’s more, end users benefit from an integrated system that enables greater comfort and convenience. They can control the HVAC from their own climate zone (alongside a designated thermostat) - this happens without any relation to integration.  

The BAS HVAC Integration Solution: Universal HVAC Gateways by HVAC and Integration Professionals

CoolAutomation offers you the universality advantage. Our HVAC gateways are cross-brand, universal devices that are delivered with a set up for your VRF/VRV HVAC system brand.

Designed and manufactured by HVAC and integration professionals, the gateways are Plug & Play devices that automatically detect the HVAC components of the HVAC system - with just one unified interface for all compatible HVAC systems to connect to a BAS. 

CoolAutomation’s universal HVAC gateways also communicate native HVAC protocols with the HVAC system, and support native BAS open protocols: BACnet MS/TP, BACnet IP(BTL certified) and Modbus RTU/Modbus TCP. 

 

If you’d like to find out more about CoolAutomation’s solutions, please contact us

Contact Us