AI enables building operators to manage facilities more efficiently

Commercial buildings are among the largest emitters of greenhouse gases worldwide – in fact, buildings account for 37% of global CO2 emissions, according to the United Nations Environment Programme. This means that reducing the carbon impact of buildings is critical to achieving overall climate goals.

Recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a tool to help building operators effectively manage a building’s energy usage and monitor emissions. By analyszing data on a building’s interior and exterior conditions, AI can adjust the settings of a building management system (BMS) to provide an environment that’s comfortable and conducive to productivity. It can do so while making sure there is efficient energy usage.

AI helps operators manage energy usage

A BMS equipped with AI is essential for any facility manager who wants to maximisze performance and efficiency. With AI, a BMS can utilisze real-time as well as scheduled occupancy information – — and, together with current and predicted weather, adjust the building’s environment accordingly. It can reduce HVAC cycling and air exchange rates in empty rooms and adjust main heating/cooling systems.

Twenty years ago, Variable Air Volume (VAV) controllers didn't consider factors like occupancy levels. Today, however, advancements in technology have led to smarter VAV controllers with enhanced analytics capabilities. By integrating intelligence into these controllers, buildings can now optimisze energy management by adjusting airflow based on occupancy and other factors.

Similarly, building operators want to optimisze efficiency by making sure air handling units aren't subjected to excessive pressure. However, over time, the electromechanical actuators controlling vents in VAV boxes may degrade or fail, leading to inefficiencies.

Another significant consumer of energy is lighting, accounting for approximately 17% of the energy consumed [ii] by commercial buildings. Just as an AI-equipped BMS can dynamically adjust the temperature of building spaces, it can also adjust the lighting. It can turn down the lights in rooms when it’s bright outside and turn off the lights in rooms that are unoccupied.

An AI-assisted BMS can even control drapes and blinds. If sunlight is pouring into a space, it can automatically close the drapes or blinds to minimisze the need for air conditioning. Conversely, on cold days, drapes and blinds can be opened to allow sunlight in.

AI helps operators manage fire safety and maintenance

AI is revolutionising fire safety in hospitality environments by enhancing detection, response times, and compliance. Traditional fire alarm systems rely on manual inspections, but AI-powered solutions provide real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, and automated testing.

For example, Honeywell’s Connected Life Safety Services (CLSS) allow fire panels and detectors to be remotely monitored and tested, improving efficiency while maintaining compliance with stringent UK fire safety regulations, such as those outlined in the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

AI also plays a critical role in integrating fire safety with building management. Smart fire detection systems can link with HVAC and access control, automatically shutting down air circulation to contain smoke spread and unlocking doors to facilitate safe evacuation. With the UK hotel industry seeing an increase in fire incidents, such intelligent systems are becoming essential for hospitality and other commercial sectors.

AI helps operators stay secure and compliant

Security and access control are becoming increasingly sophisticated with AI integration. AI-powered surveillance systems use facial recognition and behavioural analytics to detect suspicious activities, reducing security risks. These systems can automatically alert security personnel and even trigger lockdowns in response to threats.

In the hospitality industry, AI is being used to improve guest safety while streamlining operations. Smart access control technologies such as Honeywell’s Pro-Watch Integrated Security Suite and Onity’s Enterprise Mobile Access Solutions, allows remote access management, eliminating the need for physical keycards and enhancing security through mobile credentialing.

With cyber threats on the rise, AI is also being used to enhance cybersecurity in access systems. AI-driven anomaly detection can identify and mitigate potential breaches, preventing incidents like the high-profile cyberattack on a major hotel chain in 2023 that resulted in the compromise of guest data and operational disruptions.

As UK businesses strive to meet regulatory requirements like the Security Industry Authority (SIA) licensing regulations and GDPR, AI-powered security solutions ensure compliance while improving operational resilience.

AI powers building management efficiency

AI facilitates the creation of BMS dashboards, enabling operators to monitor various building functions easily. AI simplifies dashboard creation and alteration.

With the right dashboards in place, operators can quickly scan their building and identify areas that are consuming more energy. They can conduct analyses on a floor-by-floor basis, and promptly pinpoint whether one floor is using more energy than another. This allows them to investigate and address the underlying issue.

Operators who embrace AI tools will have a clear advantage in the increasingly competitive sector. They gain the ability to dynamically control their spaces to streamline operations and boost efficiency. Collaborating with the right partner can optimisze building performance and drive better business outcomes.

Connect with a Honeywell expert to learn more.

1. United Nations Environment Programme, CO2 emissions from buildings and construction hit new high, leaving sector off track to decarbonize by 2050: UN, November 2022 [Accessed March 18, 2025]

2. Energy Star, How Using Efficient Lighting Benefits Your Business, [Accessed March 18, 2025]

3. Plug Load FAQ, Honeywell Connected Life Safety Services,  [Accessed March 18, 2025]

4. Regulatory Reform Order (2005), https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2005/1541/contents/made, [Accessed March 18 2025]

5. IFSEC, https://www.ifsecglobal.com/access-control/the-future-of-access-control-technology-in-2023-and-beyond/, [Accessed March 18 2025]

 6. Honeywell Pro-Watch Integrated Security Suite, [Accessed March 18 2025]

7. Onity Enterprise Mobile Access, [Accessed March 21, 2025] 

8. SIA, https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/security-industry-authority, [Accessed March 18 2025]

9. GDPR, https://ico.org.uk/for-organisations/uk-gdpr-guidance-and-resources/, [Accessed March 18 2025] 

10. Fire Brigades Union, https://www.fbu.org.uk/news/2023/05/04/fbu-warning-hotel-fires-rise-uk, [Accessed March 18 2025]