Automated Building Controls Go Wireless

With wireless technology finally entering the mainstream of the commercial-buildings-controls market, Navigant Research reports worldwide shipments of wireless controls for building-automation systems (including HVAC, lighting, fire & safety, and security & access) will top 36 million units by 2020. Following years of niche, proprietary solutions and slow standards development, the firm cites such open standards as ZigBee and EnOcean as replacements for proprietary, vendor-specific wireless RF technology, helping to ensure device interoperability and ease of installation and operation. Shipments of ZigBee and EnOcean products will account for nearly half of all wireless building control node shipments by 2020, Navigant adds. Says Bob Gohn, senior research director, “Though wireless will not displace traditional wired controls, it will be an essential tool in every supplier’s solutions toolbox, especially for retrofit projects.”