Introduction

The urge to automate building systems has been around since the first building was erected. Over the years, building automation has evolved from simple, manually controlled systems to highly sophisticated and integrated systems that can be remotely controlled. The evolution of building automation has had a significant impact on building managers and owners, making their work easier and more efficient. In this post, we will take a journey through the ages of building automation and see how it has evolved to what it is today.

 

The Early Years

The earliest forms of building automation involved manually controlled systems. These systems were typically used to control heating and ventilation systems. Building managers would manually open or close windows to regulate temperature and air quality. These systems were limited in their capabilities and were not very efficient.

 

The Emergence of Electric Controls

In the early 1900s, electric controls were introduced, which allowed building managers to control heating and ventilation systems remotely. This made the process more efficient and allowed for more precise control over building systems.

 

The Rise of Pneumatic Controls

In the 1930s, pneumatic controls were introduced, which used compressed air to control building systems. These systems were more efficient than electric controls and were able to control a wider range of building systems.

 

The Advent of Electronic Controls

In the 1960s, electronic controls were introduced, which allowed for more precise control over building systems. These systems were able to communicate with each other, allowing for more integrated building systems.

 

The Introduction of Building Management Systems (BMS)

In the 1980s, building management systems (BMS) were introduced. These systems allowed building managers to monitor and control all building systems from a single location. This made building automation more efficient and allowed for better management of building systems.

 

The Introduction of the Internet

In the 1990s, the internet was introduced, which allowed building managers to remotely monitor and control building systems from anywhere in the world. This made building automation even more efficient and allowed for greater control over building systems.

 

The Emergence of Smart Buildings

In the 2000s, smart buildings emerged, which used sensors and data analytics to optimize building systems. These systems were able to learn and adapt to building occupants’ needs, making buildings more efficient and comfortable.

 

The Rise of the Internet of Things (IoT)

In recent years, the internet of things (IoT) has emerged, allowing for greater integration of building systems. IoT-enabled devices can communicate with each other, allowing for even greater efficiency and control over building systems.

 

The Emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has also emerged as a key technology in building automation. AI can analyze data from building systems and make decisions to optimize building performance. This makes buildings more efficient and cost-effective.

 

The Future of Building Automation

The future of building automation looks bright. With the continued development of IoT and AI, building automation will become even more
efficient and integrated. Buildings will be able to learn and adapt to occupants’ needs, making them more comfortable and efficient.

 

Conclusion

Building automation has come a long way since the early days of manually controlled systems. From electric controls to smart buildings, building automation has evolved to become more efficient and integrated. With the continued development of IoT and AI, building automation will become even more efficient and integrated, making buildings more comfortable and cost-effective for building managers and owners. As we continue on this journey through the ages of building automation, we can look forward to a future of more intelligent and efficient buildings.