Digitising school buildings – lower energy consumption and greater transparency

Clear usage patterns, long periods of non-occupancy, and often poorly automated technology meet high cost pressures – a combination that almost automatically leads to unnecessary heating and utility costs. This is precisely where Sensise comes in: with transparent data collection and a logic that is geared towards real-world building use, without compromising comfort or sacrificing on-site usability.

Initial situation: High consumption despite clear usage times

Many school buildings incur unnecessary heating costs because rooms are kept at a comfortable temperature during off-peak hours, weekends, or holidays. At the same time, electricity, gas, and water consumption often remain opaque – deviations are noticed late, comparisons are lacking, and optimization measures are initiated without a reliable data basis.

Perfect starting point for Sensise

School buildings offer clear patterns: timetables, fixed occupancy times, and extended periods of non-use. This creates significant potential for optimization while maintaining low complexity in existing buildings. At the same time, simple operating logic is crucial in everyday use – including manual intervention when the situation requires it.

Implementation: Heating logic based on occupancy plus automated consumption data

Sensise relies on a heating concept with an occupancy and heating schedule that precisely links heating phases to building operation. Rooms receive heat during occupancy and are cooled down when unoccupied. Manual adjustments remain an integral part of the concept, ensuring everyday usability.

In addition, electricity, gas, and water meters are read automatically to continuously record consumption and, for the first time, allow for accurate comparisons. Targeted sensors for indoor climate (temperature, humidity, CO₂) and building status signals provide further context for evaluation and operation. A gateway connects the components, a range test including documentation ensures wireless coverage, and hardware installation is part of the implementation. The data is centrally collected on the platform and forms the basis for monitoring, analysis, and optimization.

Result: Clear rules instead of continuous operation – data instead of assumptions

Once activated, the system operates with transparent time and occupancy logic, reducing unnecessary runtimes and maintaining consistent user comfort. Simultaneously, it provides transparency regarding consumption and system status: anomalies are detected early, analyses are based on real-world measurements, and targeted measures can be derived and monitored over time. This creates a scalable standard for the efficient operation of school buildings – without disrupting daily routines and with clear, user-friendly operation on-site.