Buildings’ energy usage and related processes account for approximately 37% of global CO2 emissions pressuring building owners and managers to reduce energy consumption. Today, common devices – including vending, copy, and coffee machines – continuously consume energy. Much of this power is consumed in many commercial buildings even when no one is working in the area, which has become more common due to hybrid work schedules.
Depending on the type of building, plug loads can account for between 25% and 50% of energy consumption
According to a recent Honeywell survey, most employees either never unplug their devices or only do so for reasons including troubleshooting or going on vacation. The survey found that fewer than 1 in 5 employees unplug devices when not using them, and more than 80% of employees say their employer is equally as responsible as they are for controlling power usage on devices.
“Unplugging a modern electronic device is different from simply turning it off. Many people do not realize how much energy is wasted by devices plugged in and then forgotten. For buildings, this energy waste adds up quickly,”
Billal Hammoud, President and CEO of Honeywell’s
Building Automation
Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON), on June 20th, introduced Connected Power, a groundbreaking solution that helps monitor, manage, and automate buildings’ power usage at the plug level. The solution offers insights into where energy is being used – and wasted – across North America.
Connected Power can be integrated into most existing building management systems (BMS) using open standards to provide centralized site scheduling and control while also creating a more detailed view of total energy use. It can also be used as a stand-alone portal that will directly manage and
control up to 2,500 outlets. users can receive remote alerts if a business-critical device, such as equipment used in the research laboratory shuts off unexpectedly, enabling immediate action to be taken. This solution can increase workplace safety by helping ensure that equipment is powered down when not needed, and by detecting elevated outlet temperatures to identify potential issues that could interrupt power for an entire work area.
Accu-Temp, a building automation contractor based in Ontario, began using Connected Power in early May 2024 to enhance energy savings. “Our installation was seamless, and the anticipated energy savings were realized immediately,” said Alex Voll, Accu-Temp’s president. “Efficient energy management is a critical focus for building owners today, and having a system that allows centralized scheduling and control of power at the outlet level helps take our efficiency to the next level.”
For more news and information on Connect Power, Honeywell www.honeywell.com/newsroom
