Buildings That are Aware of People and Weather

“Intelligent” buildings are more efficient; they cut costs and use less energy in the long run as all systems begin to share data and adapt to factors and conditions. Sustainable infrastructure, meet the “Internet of Things”!

An intelligent building becomes a self-optimizing system. Tenants do not adapt to their new building, rather, it adapts to them. Understanding how residents use the interior space and measuring the weather outside helps the building system learn not only to react, but eventually, to anticipate. For instance, camera and motion sensor data can be connected and integrated so that heating/cooling systems can regulate temperatures when rooms are typically in use or even particularly crowded. Later, when new tenants with new habits move in, there is no need for reprogramming systems because they will automatically adapt.

The automatic regulation is based on predictions from data analysis, and benefits include reduced costs, comfortable residents, and a smaller carbon footprint.

For the details, visit GreenBiz.

Canada Gets its First LEED v4 Certified Home

Image Source:  David Gegroot/Ottawa Citizen

The Edelweiss House is only the second LEED v4 building in the world, and was built to teach green affordability. It is located 40 minutes outside of Ottawa, and boasts not only an extremely low operating cost at $1.40 per day, but also a very average price for a 1,552 sq.ft. home. A standard-built new home costs nearly 10 times as much to operate, and uses 60% more water. LEED v4 Platinum is the most rigorous LEED level achievable. (more…)