Many property owners today have good control over their energy use through modern control systems and connected buildings. However, there are still a large number of buildings, particularly within housing cooperatives and smaller property portfolios, where older technology and manual routines are still in use. A clear example is district heating substations that lack digital monitoring, which can lead to inefficient energy use, unnecessarily high heating costs, and difficulties in meeting reporting requirements.
Unlocking energy efficiency in older buildings –a smart modernization
A concrete problem for property owners is the requirement to report the supply and return temperature of district heating every month. In some cases, this is still done manually by personnel traveling around and recording values by hand – a process that is time-consuming, inefficient, and provides limited insight into the system’s efficiency. A single measurement per month says little about how the energy system performs over time, making it easy to miss inefficiencies that could cost the property owner significant amounts each year.
But there are solutions. With modern IoT technology, temperature and water flows can be monitored automatically, providing real-time data that gives property owners full control without the need for expensive system upgrades or interventions in the piping system – all with simple means.
Stop paying for wasted heat –take action!
Digitizing the district heating substation not only provides improved oversight and easy reporting, but it also helps detect other common problems in older buildings. Many of the insights a property owner needs can be summarized as regular temperature measurements. This includes temperature monitoring of district heating, radiator supply temperature, and return temperature. Monitoring the hot water circulation system ensures proper functionality and adequate temperature. Measuring water pipe temperatures is also crucial – this includes hot water temperature to prevent Legionella and freeze warnings for incoming cold water pipes. Leakage detectors can identify abnormal water leaks at night (toilets or faucets with slow leaks) and also alert about leaks in the heating system by measuring how often the expansion vessel is refilled. Additionally, integrating a humidity sensor that detects potential water leakage on the floor provides a clearer picture of possible leaks in other technical systems.
Immediate results – without interventions
Many property owners worry that technical upgrades will be costly and complicated. Therefore, new solutions have been developed that do not require interventions in the existing piping system and can be installed in just a few minutes. Leakage detectors that are mounted with cable ties on water pipes can measure both temperatures and identify abnormal water leakage. The sensor technology uses surface temperature measurement, and with the help of advanced algorithms, water flows can be analyzed, and anomalies identified.
A building contains many complex systems, and it is crucial that monitoring solutions of this kind are easy to understand and manage. A cloud-based platform where property owners can gain an overview of energy consumption, identify inefficiencies, and make real-time decisions can therefore make a significant difference.
Save money and cut emissions
Digitizing district heating monitoring in older buildings is not just an economic issue – it is part of the broader transition toward a more sustainable society. By identifying and eliminating unnecessary energy consumption, property owners can reduce both costs and their climate footprint.
And the best part? It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Modern IoT solutions make it easier than ever to gain full control over a building’s energy system – and future-proof the property for generations to come.