Assignment 2: Summary & Reader's Response "Sensor Tech for HVAC" draft 2
Summary:
In the article “The Expanding Role of Sensors in Smart
HVAC Systems”, Manz (2018) asserts that the integration of sensors into large
buildings is becoming an imperative part for many industries to achieve
substantial energy savings, especially in HVAC systems. The integration of
sensors allows the systems in a building to constantly communicate and transmit
data to a focal point where analysis of the information can be carried out. In
addition to being more energy-efficient, this enables predictive maintenance
which can be cost beneficial for building owners. Manz states that the sensors
are becoming more accurate and they ceaselessly track their own performance.
The integration of HVAC controls along with other building systems in a single
open solution can achieve much better performance “at less cost and in a
shorter timeframe.” As much as I agree with Manzs’ assertion that the
integration of sensors brings about a significant impact on smart buildings, I
feel that the lack of knowledge and training about sensors can influence the
architects and building owner’s decisions to adopt these smart technologies.
Reference
Manz. (2018). The Expanding Role of Sensors in Smart HVAC
Systems. https://www.electronicdesign.com/industrial-automation/article/21806809/the-expanding-role-of-sensors-in-smart-hvac-systems.
Reader's Response:
In the article “The Expanding Role of Sensors in Smart
HVAC Systems”, Manz (2018) stated that the integration of sensors is helping
large buildings reap financial benefits and energy savings. For example, the
integration of sensors allows the systems in a building to constantly
communicate and transmit data to a focal point where analysis of the
information can be carried out. In addition to being more energy-efficient,
this enables predictive maintenance which can be cost beneficial for building
owners. It was mentioned that the awareness of energy efficiency only came
about after the oil crisis in the year 1973 and 2000. Manz also discussed that
the analog sensors are being replaced by digital successors due to the reduced
wiring costs and the need for recalibration. As much as I agree with Manzs’
assertion that the integration of sensors brings about a significant impact on
smart buildings, I feel that the lack of knowledge and training can influence
the adoption of these smart technologies.
In the article “Using smart sensor technology in building
design”, Abhari (2019) stated that “We found there existed real or perceived barriers which
prevented architects from utilizing technologies in their design processes.”
Evidently, Abhari’s research has shown that a minority of the surveyed
personnel “consider themselves proficient enough to utilise SST.” In my
opinion, I feel that there are many architects that lack sufficient training in
handling smart technologies. Due to that, many of them will not have the
confidence to adopt these new technologies in their systems.
In another article “Design
with Perfect Sense: The Adoption of Smart Sensor Technologies in Architectural
Practice”, Abhari (2019) found that the lack of knowledge “was the most
prominent factor” affecting the adoption of new technologies. It was stated
that the demand for smart technologies is expanding and many architects
acknowledge the benefits of incorporating them. However, these architects
remain mindful in utilising the new technologies as they similarly lack the
confidence to incorporate them into their systems. In addition, it was proven
in the same article that the lack of knowledge in the technologies meant that
the architects had to collaborate with various engineers and the building’s
stakeholders. This often results in the reconsideration of integrating smart
technologies.
Due to the lack of knowledge
and training about smart technologies, many architects are not willing to risk
integrating them into their building’s design processes. This is because these
new developments will “eliminate or change the organisational practices that
have been well established for several years.” According to Alexander (2019), a
designer tends to fall back on some arbitrary formal order if they fail to
fully understand and dictate a solution to a problem. Base on this, I feel that
the chances of adopting new technologies such as smart sensors are slim.
Thinking in the architect’s shoes, I will be wary of integrating new
technologies into an already sufficient system too. I will not want to take
unnecessary risks.
In conclusion, I feel that
the lack of knowledge and training about smart technologies greatly influences
its adoption into the industry. I feel that business owners and architects
should be properly educated about smart technologies such as sensors so that
they will be proficient and willing to incorporate them.
References
Abhari. (2019). Design with perfect sense. The Adoption
of Smart Sensor Technologies in Architectural Practice. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328017490_Design_with_Perfect_Sense_The_Adoption_of_Smart_Sensor_Technologies_in_Architectural_Practice
Abhari. (2019). Ambient intelligence. Applications in
Architecture Factors Affecting Adoption Decisions. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/335682056_Ambient_Intelligence_Applications_in_Architecture_Factors_Affecting_Adoption_Decisions
Manz. (2018). The Expanding Role of Sensors in Smart HVAC
Systems.
https://www.electronicdesign.com/industrial-automation/article/21806809/the-expanding-role-of-sensors-in-smart-hvac-systems.
San Diego State University. (2019). Using Smart Sensor
Technology in Building Design. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/09/190916092105.htm
Hi Rue,
ReplyDeleteAfter reading your summary, I feel that the choice of tenses was consistent throughout your summary. In the first sentence, the title, author's name, date and main idea of the article are clearly stated. In your stand, you also clearly mention about how you agree to a certain extent, proposing that more can be done to enhance the knowledge and training of such smart technologies.
Regards,
Shimin
Hi Shimin
DeleteThank you for your kind words! I hope I have managed to properly deliver the main idea of the original article.
Regards
Rue