Energie

Are energy savings included in the Fixsus TCO comparison?

No — intentionally not. The TCO comparison only calculates implementation, upgrades, and service.

42% of the cost of a traditional system

The TCO comparison shows that over 25 years, a Fixsus installation costs approximately 42% of a traditional system, based purely on implementation, upgrades, and service.

Energy savings are an additional benefit

Energy savings resulting from superior control are not included in that calculation. Therefore, the actual benefit over the lifespan of the installation is even greater than the TCO comparison indicates.

Can abnormal energy consumption be detected automatically?

Yes. When the necessary meters, sensors, and installations are connected to TIBA3, the system can continuously monitor consumption and operational data.

Fine-grained data logging

A typical TIBA3 installation can record a large number of measurement points, such as temperatures, meter readings, valve positions, power levels, alarm statuses, and air quality measurements.

By storing this data over a longer period, a detailed picture of the building’s operation is created.

Detection of anomalies

Current values can be compared with historical data, set limit values, operating hours, and expected performance.

This makes anomalies visible, such as:

• an air handling unit that continues to run outside of operating hours;
• unexpectedly high energy consumption;
• a room that is permanently heating or cooling;
• an installation that remains active for a long time without achieving the desired result.

Alarms and further analysis

TIBA3 can visualize such anomalies and, depending on the configuration, automatically generate a notification or alarm.

The logged data can then be used to analyze the cause and further optimize the control strategy.

Can energy meters from different brands be read?

Yes. Energy and water meters are typically read via M-Bus or Modbus, regardless of the brand.

Open communication protocols

M-Bus and Modbus are open standards supported by almost all energy meter manufacturers. This allows you to choose your meters based on quality and price, rather than brand loyalty.

All measurement data on a single platform

Measurement data from all meters is consolidated within the energy management system on the same platform. This allows you to monitor electricity, gas, and water consumption centrally, making any deviations quickly visible.

Can sustainable technologies such as geothermal energy be integrated?

Yes. Sustainable technologies are included in the building’s central control system.

From geothermal energy to heating networks

Geothermal energy (ATES/BTES), heating networks, hybrid heat production, and solar energy can be fully integrated into the platform.

The most sustainable source first

Because all sources are managed within the same central control system, the most cost-effective and sustainable source is always prioritized. This ensures you achieve the maximum return on your sustainable investments.

Can the system manage charging stations intelligently?

Yes. Charging station power management is one of the technologies that can be integrated into the platform.

Distributing power intelligently

The charging station power management distributes the available power across the charging points while taking other building consumption into account.

Staying within the connection capacity

This ensures that the grid connection capacity is not exceeded, even when many vehicles are charging simultaneously. After all, the building and the charging infrastructure share the same central control and the same measurement data.

Does a BMS help with the EPC or the energy performance of my building?

Yes. A higher automation class improves the actual energy performance and can be factored into the performance calculation.

Better regulated, better performance

A building with demand-driven control structurally consumes less. This improved control translates into the energy performance of the building.

Data that objectifies the effect

At least as important: the data from the BMS objectifies the effect of every measure. You can see in black and white what an investment in insulation, relighting, or a new heat source actually yields.

Does TIBA3 comply with EPBD and BACS/GACS requirements?

TIBA3 possesses the technical capabilities to implement the core functions of a BACS or GACS.

Technical capabilities

The system is capable of monitoring energy consumption and installation performance, recording and analyzing data, detecting anomalies, and centrally controlling various building technologies.

BACS and GACS

BACS stands for Building Automation and Control System. In the Netherlands, the term GACS is commonly used: gebouwautomatiserings- en controlesysteem. Both terms refer to systems for the automatic regulation, control, and optimization of technical building installations.

Project-specific compliance

Whether a specific building fully complies with BACS or GACS requirements depends not only on the software platform used. The existing measuring equipment, integrated technologies, programming, reporting, and applicable regulations are also decisive factors.

Fixsus can analyze existing installations, identify missing automation functions, and configure TIBA3 to meet the relevant technical requirements. A project-specific compliance assessment always remains necessary.

How are energy, gas, and water consumption measured and analyzed?

TIBA3 brings together consumption data from various technologies and meters into a single central environment.

Meter reading

Electricity, gas, heat, and water meters can be linked via open communication protocols, such as M-Bus or Modbus. Pulse outputs and other standard signals can also be read.

Dashboards and histories

The measured values are displayed in dashboards and graphs. This allows consumption to be monitored:

• per building;
• per floor or zone;
• per installation;
• per energy carrier;
• per day, month, or year.

Comparison and normalization

Consumption can be compared with previous periods, other buildings, or relevant parameters, such as outdoor temperature, occupancy, or surface area.

This makes it clear whether an increase can be explained by the use of the building or potentially indicates a technical problem.

Identifying anomalies faster

By analyzing consumption and technical operation together, anomalies such as these can become visible:

• night-time consumption that remains too high;
• installations that are active outside of operating hours;
• unexpected water consumption;
• simultaneous heating and cooling;
• an increase in consumption without a clear change in usage.

Basis for optimization and reporting

The collected data support technical optimizations, budget monitoring, sustainability reporting, and the verification of energy-saving measures.

How do sun protection, lighting, and climate control work together energy-efficiently?

TIBA3 allows sun protection, lighting, heating, cooling, and ventilation to use the same data. As a result, these technologies do not react individually, but as one integrated system.

Limiting solar heat before cooling is required

When strong solar radiation is expected, the sun protection can close preventively. This ensures the room heats up less quickly and the cooling installation needs to provide less power.

Maximizing the use of daylight

Lighting can be dimmed or switched off when sufficient natural light is present. The sun protection is controlled in such a way that glare is limited without unnecessarily removing daylight.

Taking occupancy into account

In an unused room, the system can automatically:

• switch off the lighting;
• reduce ventilation;
• switch the temperature control to a more economical setting;
• position the sun protection according to the building strategy.

No conflicting controls

The central logic prevents technologies from working against each other. This avoids a room being actively heated and cooled at the same time, or lighting remaining on unnecessarily while sufficient daylight is available.

Tailored to comfort and energy

The precise strategy is determined per building. Orientation, operating hours, occupancy, indoor climate, and comfort requirements are all factored into the control system.

How does data assist in energy management?

Consumption per meter and per technology makes standby consumption and deviations visible.

Deviations are immediately noticeable

An air handling unit operating at night, a boiler that continues to cycle, or consumption that fails to decrease after an adjustment: it all becomes visible in the trends.

Measuring is the foundation of saving

Without measurement data, energy management remains guesswork. With the platform’s granular logging, you know exactly where the consumption is located and what each measure yields.

How does TIBA3 integrate different building technologies?

TIBA3 integrates HVAC, lighting, sun protection, access control, energy monitoring, and other building technologies into a single central platform. This allows them to share data and be managed as a unified whole.

A single integrated control strategy

Instead of having each technology react individually, TIBA3 uses the same information for multiple functions. Measurements of occupancy, temperature, air quality, light intensity, and energy consumption can thus be utilized by various systems simultaneously.

Occupancy controls multiple technologies

When a room is not in use, the system can, for example:

• switch off the lighting;
• reduce ventilation;
• switch temperature control to a more energy-efficient mode;
• adjust sun protection according to the building strategy.

Sun protection and climate control work together

Sun protection can be closed preventively when high solar heat gain is expected. As a result, the room heats up more slowly, and the cooling system requires less power.

No conflicting controls

Because heating and cooling use the same room data and central logic, TIBA3 can prevent both systems from working against each other simultaneously.

Alignment with actual needs

The synergy between these technologies ensures that the building does not only react to fixed schedules, but also to the current status and usage of every room.

How does TIBA3 prevent systems from heating and cooling simultaneously?

By integrating heating, cooling, ventilation, sun protection, and room measurements within a single central system, TIBA3 can coordinate the operation of these technologies.

Central control strategy

The same central logic determines when a room requires heating or cooling. This prevents different systems in the same zone from executing conflicting commands simultaneously.

Use of room data

TIBA3 takes several factors into account, including:

• room temperature;
• setpoints;
• occupancy;
• operating hours;
• window contacts;
• outdoor conditions;
• the current heating or cooling demand.

Demand-driven operation

When a room has no active requirement, heating and cooling are scaled back. The production systems are then controlled based on the collective demand from the rooms.

The precise operation depends on the installed systems and the chosen control strategy, but the principle remains that heating and cooling do not work against each other unnecessarily.

What data does TIBA3 collect?

TIBA3 collects and stores technical data from various building installations to monitor and analyze operation, comfort, and energy consumption.

Measurement values from the building

Depending on the project, the following data may be recorded, among others:

• temperatures;
• relative humidity;
• CO₂ and VOC values;
• occupancy detection;
• light intensity;
• energy, gas, and water consumption;
• valve and motor positions;
• operating hours;
• setpoints and control values;
• faults, notifications, and alarms.

Historical trend data

A typical TIBA3 installation can record a large number of measurement points at short intervals and store this data for a long period. This creates a detailed historical overview of the building’s operation.

Performance analysis

The collected data makes it possible to:

• compare consumption profiles;
• detect anomalies and energy waste;
• investigate comfort issues;
• fine-tune installations;
• monitor the impact of optimizations;
• analyze faults retrospectively.

Project-specific configuration

Not every building records exactly the same information. During the project, it is determined which measurement points are relevant, at what frequency they are stored, and how long the history must remain available.

Management and security

Access to technical data is managed via user rights. External exchange only takes place through controlled and secure connections.

What does demand-driven control from the rooms mean?

With demand-driven control, the actual needs in the rooms determine how much heating, cooling, ventilation, and lighting the building requires.

Measurements per room

TIBA3 uses real-time data from the rooms, such as:

• temperature;
• air quality;
• presence;
• light intensity;
• set comfort values.

In this way, the control is based on what is actually happening in the building.

From room to central production

The demand from all rooms is aggregated and subsequently controls the central installations, such as boilers, heat pumps, chillers, and air handling units.

Production therefore follows the real needs in the building, rather than solely a fixed schedule or the outdoor temperature.

No unnecessary production

When few rooms require heating or cooling, the central installation does not need to operate at full capacity. In the event of higher demand, production can be scaled up in a timely manner.

More comfort and lower energy consumption

Because every room receives exactly what it needs, overheating, overcooling, and unnecessary ventilation are limited. This improves both comfort and energy performance.

Collaboration between technologies

Presence, sun protection, lighting, ventilation, and climate control can use the same room data. As a result, the various technologies react as one integrated system.

What happens outside of the building’s operating hours?

Calendars and schedules automatically switch the building to night, weekend, or holiday mode.

Automatic transition to an economical mode

Outside of operating hours, reduced setpoints are applied and systems are deactivated where possible. This ensures the building only consumes what is necessary to start up comfortably and safely.

Easily schedule exceptions

Exceptions — such as an evening activity or a reservation — can be easily scheduled. The building automatically provides the appropriate comfort mode for those times.

What is EN ISO 52120 Class A and how does TIBA3 support this standard?

EN ISO 52120 is a European standard that describes how building management systems and automatic controls contribute to the energy performance of buildings.

Four efficiency classes

The standard distinguishes four classes:

• Class A: highly energy-efficient building automation and technical management;
• Class B: advanced automation;
• Class C: standard automation;
• Class D: little or no energy-efficient automation.

Class A therefore represents the highest level of automation within this classification.

Demand-driven control

TIBA3 supports a Class A approach by controlling installations based on the actual demand in the rooms. Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and solar shading are not controlled separately, but are centrally coordinated with one another.

Measurements per room

By incorporating data such as temperature, occupancy, air quality, and light intensity, the system can more accurately determine where and when energy is needed.

Central optimization

Central production, such as boilers, heat pumps, chillers, and air handling units, is also adjusted to the sum of the actual demand from the building.

No automatic guarantee

Whether a building effectively achieves Class A does not only depend on the building management system. The design, the available technologies, the control strategy, the execution, and the commissioning also play a role.

TIBA3 does, however, provide the technical architecture and control capabilities to build an installation according to the principles of Class A.

What is free cooling and can TIBA3 take weather forecasts into account?

Free cooling uses favorable outdoor temperatures to cool a building without or with reduced use of mechanical cooling.

Cooling with outdoor air

When the outdoor air is sufficiently cool, TIBA3 can, for example, utilize air handling units, ventilation, or other available technologies to dissipate heat from the building.

This primarily occurs at night or during cooler periods, when the outdoor temperature is lower than the indoor temperature.

Reduced use of the chiller

By pre-cooling the building in a natural or energy-efficient manner, the cooling installation needs to deliver less power during the day. This reduces energy consumption and can limit peak loads.

Taking weather forecasts into account

TIBA3 can use weather data to look ahead. When a hot day is forecast, the system can, for example, provide extra cooling at night so that the building begins the day with a lower indoor temperature.

Dependent on the building

The feasibility and effect depend on, among other things:

• the type of ventilation and cooling installation;
• the thermal mass of the building;
• the outdoor temperature and humidity;
• the hours of use;
• the comfort and safety conditions.

No fixed standard strategy

The control logic is developed on a project-specific basis. TIBA3 continuously assesses whether free cooling is technically possible and energetically advantageous.

What is power load balancing?

Load balancing monitors the total electrical power of the building and adjusts large consumers to avoid peak power.

Avoiding peaks

By intelligently spreading and adjusting large consumers, the total power remains within the desired limits. This prevents multiple consumers from creating a peak simultaneously.

Lower costs and reduced load

This reduces both the capacity tariff and the load on the installation. Load balancing is one of the techniques that can be included as standard in the central control system.

What makes TIBA3 energy-efficient?

TIBA3 makes it possible to control various building technologies as a single entity. As a result, systems respond not only to their own measurements but also to information from other parts of the building.

Top-down control from the rooms

The actual heating and cooling demand is determined based on measurements in the rooms. This demand then controls the production systems, such as boilers, heat pumps, and chillers.

Consequently, the building does not produce energy solely based on fixed schedules or the outdoor temperature, but based on what the rooms actually require.

Alignment with usage

Heating, cooling, ventilation, lighting, and sun protection can be aligned with occupancy, operating hours, indoor and outdoor temperatures, air quality, and daylight.

Systems do not work against each other

TIBA3 can prevent systems from continuing to operate unnecessarily or working against each other. For example, the system can prevent a room from being heated and cooled simultaneously, limit ventilation when a room is not in use, and dim lighting when there is sufficient daylight.

Measuring and optimizing

TIBA3 makes consumption, deviations, and trends visible. This allows the operation of the system to be further evaluated and optimized after completion.

The final energy savings depend on the building, the technologies present, the control strategy, and the way the system is used.

Which buildings are subject to the BACS or GACS obligation?

The European EPBD imposes requirements for building automation and control in certain non-residential buildings.

BACS and GACS

BACS stands for Building Automation and Control System. In the Netherlands, the term GACS is typically used: building automation and control system.

Both terms refer to systems that monitor, control, and optimize technical building installations.

Depending on building and capacity

Whether a building is subject to the obligation depends, among other things, on:

• the type of building;
• the rated output of the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems;
• technical and economic feasibility;
• the national or regional transposition of European regulations.

Specific thresholds and deadlines may vary by country and region.

Required functions

A mandatory BACS or GACS must generally be capable of:

• continuously monitoring energy use and system operation;
• recording and analyzing data;
• identifying efficiency losses or deviations;
• enabling benchmarking and reporting;
• communicating with connected technical systems.

Project-specific assessment

Whether a specific building meets the obligation must therefore always be assessed based on current regulations and the complete technical installation.

Fixsus can analyze the existing functions and determine which automation, measurement, or reporting capabilities still need to be added.

Will the installation remain energy-efficient after completion?

This is the focus of Fixsus’s service operations: ensuring the control system remains finely tuned even after completion.

Operational monitoring

Monitoring trends, summer and winter startups, and checking comfort objectives (within Total Care +) ensure that the installation continues to perform as intended.

Evolving with the building

If the building’s use changes, the control system is adjusted accordingly. This prevents energy consumption from creeping up year after year without being noticed.