Heat in buildings - climate protection through intelligence in real estate

"Efficiency first" - according to the BMWi, energy efficiency is a central pillar of the energy transition and crucial to achieving energy and climate policy goals in good time. It is generally accepted that there is an immediate need for action in the building sector. Climate change does not wait for technologies that have yet to be developed. Existing solutions that already help to reduce CO2 emissions today are crucial for the energy transition.

The entire energy supply must be considered for the carbon footprint of an existing building. The decisive factors are electricity consumption, heat supply and charging at home (electric mobility). Intelligent technologies that network and optimize these sectors are considered key technologies for the energy transition in the building sector.

Great potential in the heating of real estate

In the heating sector, there are currently 21 million heating systems in Germany that offer enormous potential for energy savings and CO2 reduction. Many of these systems do not use renewable energies or are outdated or inefficient. In just under ten years' time, households are expected to emit around 56 percent less greenhouse gases when heating than they do today. Switching to efficient heating technology and the use of renewable energies in existing buildings as soon as possible will be key to achieving this target.

Digitization and networking of sectors

Energy is increasingly being generated from renewable sources - this holds great potential. With the power-to-heat approach, green electricity will provide climate-friendly/neutral heat instead of fossil fuels in the future. A heating system networked with a PV system, for example, significantly increases the level of self-sufficiency and efficiency of the property. Supplying the residual energy with green electricity from the local supplier closes the supply gap in order to achieve a positive carbon footprint for the building.‍

"By 2050, energy consumption is to be reduced by 50 percent, the share of renewable energies in energy consumption increased to 60 percent and CO2 emissions reduced by 80 to 95 percent."
- BMWi‍

Digital properties that are able to generate sufficient energy for themselves and perhaps even their surroundings and use it intelligently in buildings and neighborhoods will make a significant contribution to achieving climate targets. Studies by the Fraunhofer Institute and the International Energy Agency (IEA) confirm that the emerging demand for green electricity for power-to-heat can be met solely through the consistent expansion of domestic energy generation. The intelligence of a building therefore has a decisive influence on its carbon footprint, according to the current study "Climate effects of digitalization" by the digital association Bitkom. Germany can already achieve 17% of its climate targets for 2030 with the help of networked buildings.

In order to exploit this potential, it is necessary to take a holistic view of the individual energy-related fields of action in the building and to network them intelligently. In a CO2-neutral building, the building and energy technology is controlled holistically via IoT and software intelligence.

The use of smart meters and IoT sensors in the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical energy makes it possible to measure and optimize energy flows in buildings. Thanks to the networking, the self-generated photovoltaic electricity can be used intelligently for household electricity and to supply heating and storage systems. If required, the building's own charging station for electric vehicles can also be supplied. If not all of the electricity is used, it is stored on a stationary basis or fed into the local power grid. Energy savings of up to 15% are possible through the use of IoT services alone.

Savings potential for tenants and residents

Recording your own consumption data is the basis for changing user behavior. If consumers know where and when energy is consumed, they can take targeted measures to save energy - manually or fully automatically.

Digitalization thus creates the data basis and transparency with which residents can be offered positive incentives to improve their own consumption. With the help of apps and special climate functions that visually present sustainability performance, residents can measure their consumption against the average values of their neighbors in the building or neighbourhood. Gamification is used effectively in this way as an incentive for conscious action. Overall, the new transparency provided by digital applications helps to stimulate social rethinking and sharpen people's awareness of their own carbon footprint.

Today, smart home offerings bring the necessary components into the home to actually control the heating on site easily and in line with demand. Studies see a savings potential of 20-40% in this area through the automation of heating. Operation via attractive interfaces and the addition of new fields of application such as lighting control bring additional benefits as well as convenience.

Simple upgrade to smart heating systems

Landlords and tenants can install smart home technologies in their homes with little effort and optimize heating efficiency with just a small investment. There is a suitable retrofit option for every heating system. Smart thermostats can be easily retrofitted for a wide range of heating systems.

With a well thought-out IoT infrastructure in the building, smart heating controls and other digital components such as motion detectors, CO2 sensors, door/window contacts and air quality sensors can be optimally integrated. Only the automated interaction of several devices means more comfort and safety with significantly less energy consumption.
By replacing smart devices, the system learns to think for itself efficiently. In addition, processes in various smart living areas are automatically regulated by means of time control, automation and the execution of defined functions and scenarios. In this case, the networked devices react to certain environmental stimuli and trigger actions as a result.

In combination, the measurement data can be used intelligently to increase living comfort and support health factors relating to the indoor climate:

• Networked devices, such as a charging box, are only switched on when the photovoltaic system is producing energy and the house's own consumption can be guaranteed (i.e. no grid supply).
• If windows are open, digital thermostats automatically reduce the heating in the room.
• A central unit ensures that 21° is always maintained in the living areas and 19° in the less frequently used rooms.
• In the event of high heat development, the shutter control reacts automatically and regulates the climate by reducing solar radiation.
• Presence detectors ensure that the living temperature adapts to the occupants' behavior.
• If C02 values, humidity or temperature are too high or too low, a warning message is issued.
• If-then rules maintain the desired room temperature for each room (individual room control).
• and much more.

Heat pump, solar and storage tank

Of course, many other measures are possible in new builds that are not always worthwhile for existing properties (but can still make sense). In particular, heat pumps powered by green electricity are recommended in terms of their contribution to climate protection. In combination with a solar system - possibly in the form of a tenant electricity model - this is currently one of the most interesting energy efficiency models in the heat and electricity sector. The addition of electricity storage and charging infrastructure results in a future-proof investment for owners, operators and residents.

Rockethome Climate Solutions offers integrated solutions comprising hardware, software and services in these areas. >> Request white paper & studies on this topic.