Monitoring and adjusting building HVAC systems in response to internal conditions can improve occupant comfort and achieve significant energy savings. Newer buildings often have computerized networks of electronic devices that are designed to monitor and control mechanical, lighting, and other systems in the building. Older systems may have stand-alone controls that must be manually adjusted to modify the indoor environment.

An automated system maintains building climate within a specified range, typically controlling cooling, heating, humidification, and CO2 levels.  Setpoints are based on an occupancy schedule, allowing the system to monitor performance criteria and device failures, as well as notifications to building engineering staff. The automated system is usually managed by facilities staff.

To ensure that thermal comfort controls are effective and efficient:

• If the building has an automatic system: Adjust setpoints to match actual operating hours and desired comfort conditions (Resources: Operations & Maintenance Best Practices Guide: Release 3.0 (energy.gov)).
• If the building does not have an automatic system: Replace stand-alone manual thermostats with programmable digital models. Select thermostats that have simple controls and can be programmed with hourly, daily, and weekly settings, to provide for the implementation of energy saving setbacks during periods of non-occupancy, such as nights and If occupant control is not desired, choose a thermostat model that can be enclosed in a secure housing or that defaults to programmed settings after a specified time period, such as one hour.

Programmable thermostats enable implementation of energy-saving setbacks during periods of non-occupancy.

Image Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency