5 myths about smart building

5 myths about smart building

Too expensive, too complex, too unsafe? - ROCKETHOME CSO Lukas Schilling dispels the 5 most common myths and shows how modern smart building technologies can help to make existing properties sustainable, energy-efficient and secure.

Question: Mr. Schilling, many people believe that smart building technologies are only suitable for new buildings. What is your view on this?

Lukas Schilling: I actually hear that quite often. Sure, it's easier to plan and integrate modern technologies in new buildings right from the start, but that doesn't mean that existing buildings have to be left out. Quite the opposite: nowadays, there are a wide range of options for retrofitting existing properties with smart technologies. And retrofitting is also essential in order to reduce the high energy consumption and CO₂ emissions of existing buildings, use the housing stock more efficiently and at the same time counteract rising operating costs and the shortage of housing or vacant offices. In our experience, it is precisely in existing buildings that great effects can be achieved with minimal measures.

Question: It is always said that smart building solutions require major structural measures. Is that not the case?

Lukas Schilling: No, absolutely not. Of course, there are projects that require major structural work, for example when new infrastructure needs to be laid or outdated systems need to be replaced. But in many cases, smart building technologies can be retrofitted without major alterations. There are numerous minimally invasive solutions such as Plug & Play, which can be integrated into existing buildings without having to tear open the walls. These pioneering solutions also no longer require a complex infrastructure. A good example is our smart thermostats, which are very easy to install and still make a significant contribution to saving energy. The old thermostats are simply unscrewed and the new ones screwed on. So it always depends on the specific circumstances of the building, but there are many ways to implement smart solutions without creating large construction sites.

Question: Another argument is that smart buildings are far too expensive. Is that still the case?

Lukas Schilling: No, that's not always the case. If I do the math, all our partners have an ROI. Of course, charging stations, PV systems and building management systems cost money. But by using cloud-based approaches, I can significantly reduce the investment. Software is no longer expensive. For example, if we turn a new residential building into a smart building, we calculate additional costs of between €400 and €1,500 per residential unit. The premise here is not to implement everything that is possible, but only the effective measures. In our projects, the costs are amortized very quickly. Depending on the objective, for example, operating costs can be reduced by 10-30% or energy consumption by up to 40%. We work closely with our customers to develop tailor-made solutions that are easy on both the budget and the environment. In the end, we almost always manage to find positive business models.

Question: Many people are concerned about the security of smart buildings. Are networked systems really vulnerable to hacker attacks?

Lukas Schilling: The concern is understandable, because security is indeed a key issue, and not just in the digital world. But a lot has happened here too. The modern systems on the market today have robust security protocols and strong encryption that make it very difficult for hackers to penetrate the systems. We invest heavily in cyber security research projects every year and take a very close look when selecting partners (hardware, partner software). All our partners undergo a certification program. We work with leading security providers and are part of the "SILGENTAS" project, which is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The aim of this project is to protect intelligent buildings from manipulation and unauthorized access. In the context of software in particular, it is also essential to maintain it continuously and carry out regular security updates. I can only warn against using software or solutions that are not further developed and for which no corresponding service and maintenance contracts are in place, but as is so often the case, the biggest weak point in the area of security lies with the users. To avoid mistakes here, we have sophisticated roles and authorization systems in our management and administration interface, the IOT Property Manager, for example. Critical functions, such as the release of access, may only be carried out by selected persons. Security is therefore our absolute focus and we are constantly working to improve it further.

Question: Another myth is that smart buildings are bad for the environment because the technology consumes more energy. What is the truth of this statement?

Lukas Schilling: That sounds logical at first glance, but it's a fallacy, at least if I use the right systems. In fact, smart building technologies are designed to save energy, not waste it. The individual systems and installations may consume energy, generate green energy or save energy on their own. Here we see effects of up to 40% savings through the use of individual systems. Combined with good energy management that is optimized on the basis of energy generation in the building, current energy prices, weather conditions and user behaviour, I can create almost self-sufficient properties. The focus here is on using the right energy. Added to this are savings from remote energy and system monitoring. This results in a number of small effects, such as the elimination of trips for maintenance.

Question: Thank you very much, Mr. Schilling, for the informative answers