Climate change and ever- depleting resources mean that efficient energy use is a key social issue. Because they account for 40 % of total energy consumption, buildings represent considerable energy-saving potential. KNX meets the requirements of the top Energy Performance Class for building automation as per EN 15232. This means that KNX is ideally suited to fully the tightened energy consumption requirements for buildings. KNX allows up to 50 % energy savings.

The potential of KNX energy efficient solutions 

• Switching off and dimming 

Saving energy means switching the light off when you don’t need it. In office buildings, schools, factories, warehouses, hotels, car parks and many other buildings, artificial lighting is left switched on for many reasons. In the case of building automation with KNX, the duty cycle can for example be adapted to the actual lighting requirement with the help of a timer program. This measure alone can achieve high savings which can be further optimised depending on the room use and building type, in offices, schools etc.

• Regulating the heating and cooling 

Electronic individual room temperature control promises a clear saving potential al. It is therefore the most efficient method of using the heating and cooling energy generated via the heating system or air conditioning system. Demand-based energy use can be achieved via a timer program with a temperature prole or even via the presence signal. As the temperature variables of all the rooms are available centrally throughout the KNX system, heating and cooling energy can be generated according to demand and with a high level of efficiency. In modern, purpose-built buildings with glass facades, fully-automatic sun protection systems are indispensable. Their primary tasks are shading and cooling to ensure the well-being of the people in the building.

• From the perspective of energy consumption 

The interaction of all the trades in room and building automation contains a high optimisation potential. All the functions are linked in an energy and building management system. KNX offers optimum solutions with management and visualisation systems for this purpose. Further building technology systems are integrated via interfaces. All the data that is required for efficient building operation can be recorded, archived and visualised in a central location.

KNX Standard enabling significant Energy Savings 

When one thinks of building system engineering, one thinks of KNX. Including comfort of controlling shutters, blinds, lighting system, audio system, heating system, air-conditioning system and more. However, the fact that this comfort also comes with an additional advantage, the energy savings of up to 50 %, has not been proven reliably so far.

Current studies prove that the application of KNX technology can significantly reduce the energy budget. The achievement of a higher comfort standard through bus systems in buildings has been a long known fact. The fully automated home is often mentioned in this context controlling all energy consuming building systems like lights, heat and ventilation to the users’ demands. Studies which were presented at the KNX Scientific Conference 2006 in Vienna showed additional potential of the building control system.

To prove this, the University of Trento in Italy and the University of Bremen in Germany equipped buildings and rooms with KNX controls for the heating and lighting. The logged data was evaluated and a “normal” case was compared to the “KNX” operation.