Swedish firm Nordic Propeye, an end-to-end IoT provider for smart buildings, has integrated Semtech’s LoRa devices and the LoRaWan standard into its HVAC optimisation offering being launched in the USA to reduce energy consumption.

Global pressure on energy prices, an increased focus on air quality and efforts to reduce carbon emissions are three factors prompting real-estate owners to seek innovative IoT services to help manage their properties with building management systems. The US Department of Energy estimates commercial buildings account for 35% of electricity consumed in the USA and generate 16% of the country’s CO₂ emissions.

“Incorporating LoRa devices and connecting with LoRaWan has proven extremely successful in achieving 15 to 30% energy savings for our customers since launching our European OY1210 HVAC optimisation in 2019,” said Stefan Lindgren, CTO of Nordic Propeye. “We are excited to have adapted to meet US regulations and look forward to playing a key role making America’s real-estate sector more efficient and sustainable.”

The US version, OY1211, leverages LoRa to manage a facility’s control of HVAC systems autonomously using data from wireless sensor devices that continuously monitor CO₂ levels, temperature, humidity and real-time room occupancy. The adaptive reporting functionality can detect rapid changes in CO₂ levels within less than a minute and send a trigger to the HVAC system every 15 minutes.

It also leverages weather forecasting data and artificial intelligence (AI) technology to learn and predict the temperatures of HVAC zones continuously. The predictive maintenance feature alerts building operators when system anomalies arise to prevent equipment failures.

“LoRa devices and the LoRaWan standard are digitally transforming property management with simplified, smart solutions around the globe,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president at Semtech. “Nordic Propeye’s unique solution, incorporating AI technology, allows existing properties to be easily converted to smart, sustainable buildings and delivers cost savings to customers and increased safety for occupants.”

Nordic Propeye has over 20 years of experience with digitisation of residential buildings and has pioneered the IoT industry with expertise in radio technology. The company connects more than 60,000 apartments and runs energy savings technology on nearly ten million square metres of property.