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How Geography Affects Your BMS

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geographical climate zones and how they impact your building's heating and cooling functions

Where you’re building will determine a lot about how you’re building. Climate and geography have a big impact on the design and functionality of a building, from the materials to the roofing to the type of HVAC that's installed.

The United States is divided into climate zones, which can help determine how a building is designed. Each zone has its own building codes, as established by the US Department of Energy, which describes the best building practices for energy efficiency in certain climates.

The US is made up of 8 different zones, which are further divided into 16 sub-zones. The zones include very hot, hot, warm, mixed, cool, cold, very cold, and subarctic.

Some zones have to account for a constant and heavy use of either heating or AC, and some zones have to adapt to changing seasons and be prepared for both.

The zones are calculated by measuring how many heating days versus how many cooling days an area has over the course of a year. It also includes how much humidity and precipitation an area experiences throughout the year.

If you are building in an area with extreme heat levels, your HVAC system is put at a higher risk. Heatwaves and high levels of heat put extra stress on your system, which increases energy consumption and, subsequently, your energy bill. That’s why, when building in these climate zones, installing a highly functioning BMS is so important.

A BMS will know how to control the heating/cooling utilization and distribution based on the patterns of the people inside the building, creating the most efficient system that saves the most energy. This is the most beneficial in geographic areas that experience a wide range of seasons and require various levels of heating and cooling throughout the year.

Additionally, sometimes different climate zones have different amounts of daylight, which will impact your building’s light usage. A BMS with lighting integration can control the building’s light usage to optimize efficiency and save energy.

Plus, different climate zones have different humidity levels. Some heating and cooling systems can have an impact on the air humidity. Knowing the moisture levels of your climate zone will help you choose the best system for your building, and implementing a BMS that is integrated with humidity control will help you create the perfect climate no matter where your building is.

A huge part of making sure your BMS is suited for your climate zone is keeping up with maintenance and upgrades. With proper calibrations and servicing, your BMS will keep your building functioning and optimum energy efficiency. TC Control Group can design, install, service, and maintain your BMS no matter what climate zone you’re in. Contact us today.