Hybrid working and energy efficiency - the example of Ecclesia

The coronavirus pandemic has made hybrid forms of working an integral part of the modern working world. Many offices remain empty during the week, but the heating continues to run - a problem for the environment and the budget. On average, 12.3% of workplaces are currently unused, causing unnecessary costs and increased CO₂ emissions. In order to reduce these and increase energy efficiency, it is crucial to optimize the energy efficiency of office buildings. With intelligent systems, heating, lighting and other energy guzzlers can be regulated automatically - depending on actual usage. Our existing customer Ecclesia also faced the same challenges. Together, we found a smart solution.

Up to 25% energy savings thanks to smart thermostats

The initial situation

Ecclesia's six office buildings in Detmold provide space for around 1000 employees. Around 800 thermostats provide heating, even when the offices are not in use. The central night switch-off only kicks in from 10 p.m., which leads to unnecessary energy consumption. The aim was to find a more flexible and energy-efficient solution.

Our project goals:

• Energy savings: 25 % thanks to smart thermostats
• CO₂ reduction: 12 tons per year

Our solution:

A minimally invasive, quick installation of around 800 smart thermostats, which were simply installed using plug & play. The existing thermostats were replaced with smart thermostats without the need for extensive retrofitting. The entire rollout was completed within a few weeks.

Smart thermostats: Night shutdown and hybrid operation

The introduction of smart thermostats in the Ecclesia office buildings solves two key challenges: reducing unnecessary heating costs by optimizing night-time shutdown and supporting flexible, hybrid working models.

Efficient night switch-off: Previously, the heating was only switched off centrally from 10 p.m., which led to a considerable loss of energy. Thanks to smart thermostats, employees can continue to turn up the heating manually in the morning, but the heating output is now automatically reduced from 5 pm. This saves up to 25% of energy costs without the need for manual intervention.

Flexibility for hybrid working: With the introduction of hybrid working models, the use of office space fluctuates greatly. Smart thermostats automatically adapt to the presence of employees and only keep the rooms heated when they are actually being used. This further reduces energy consumption and ensures greater flexibility and comfort.

Rapid savings with digitization

By installing smart thermostats, both energy and process cost savings can be achieved. And that's not all: digital and centralized control and the establishment of different heating modes enable precise control, lower operating costs and significantly reduce_{CO2 emissions}. This is an important step towards sustainability.

• Energy savings: Up to 25 %
• CO₂ reduction: 12 tons per year
• Profitability: savings effects visible after two years
• Flexibility: More precise heating thanks to adjustable heating modes
• Convenience: Digital switching on and off of thermostats via app

Conclusion:

The new climate targets require practicable energy solutions that can be flexibly adapted to the needs of employees. The example of Ecclesia shows how the real estate sector can improve the climate efficiency of its buildings through quick and uncomplicated measures. In addition to the amount of energy costs saved, which is possible without having to shut down the building, the digital solution no longer requires manual intervention. Flexibility and convenience are guaranteed.

Project participants

• Project management Ecclesia: Guido Küster
• Technical planning: Mark Bajorat, Tim Steinhaus
• Project implementation: Mark Bajorat
• ROCKETHOME Project management: Mark Bajorat, Tim Steinhaus
• Sales contact: Tim Steinhaus

Ecclesia

The Ecclesia Group , with its parent company Ecclesia Holding GmbH based in Detmold, is an internationally active company with more than 2,400 employees. According to its own statements, the group is "the largest German insurance broker for companies and institutions and a leader in Europe".

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What can smart thermostats do?

The thermostats are connected to the internet and can then be conveniently controlled via the app. This allows room temperatures to be regulated while on the move. Individual automations can be set up and conveniently implemented using adjustable schedules or individual room controls. This means that not all radiators need to be regulated individually. A lot of heating energy is often lost during ventilation or if a window is left open for too long without being noticed. Window open detection detects sudden changes in room temperature or humidity and switches the heating off for a certain period of time to save energy. Furthermore, holistic energy management is possible if the charging infrastructure, PV system, heat pump and other electricity-based consumers are integrated into the overall system.

How much energy can I save with smart thermostats?

According to the consumer advice center, every degree less alone results in savings of around six percent. Smart automation and automatic shut-offs can save between 20 and 30 % energy. Another advantage of smart thermostats is that they can be set to the nearest half degree.

What can the smart radiator thermostat from ROCKETHOME do?

With our smart heating control head, the temperature of the heating can be regulated locally on the device or fully automatically in conjunction with the smart home system: For example, the kitchen is already warm for breakfast, while the living room is only heated in the evening to save energy. The current temperature is shown on the integrated display and in the ROCKETHOME app. Saving energy and costs has never been so convenient. Simply integrate the smart device into the smart home system and use the app or automation to control the temperature optimally at all times.

We help you on your way to heat efficiency and offer you holistic solutions comprising hardware, software and services so that you can reduce your costs and save energy sustainably. Get in touch with us now.