BMS + NLC / occupancy sensors
35% HVAC energy savings. Software only, no construction, no changes to your operations.
AI Occupancy Based HVAC Controls reads occupancy from your networked lighting controls or occupancy sensors and adjusts HVAC through your BACnet BMS, only when a zone is empty. Software only, on-prem. Your BMS stays in charge when people are in the room.
AI HVAC Controls results
35%
HVAC energy savings.
Measured at CSUN, independently verified at CSU Dominguez Hills.
- 28%less electricity, CSUN Lilac Hall
- 36%less HVAC electricity, CSUDH (CalNEXT)
Results
Measured on two campus buildings.
-
AI Occupancy Based HVAC Controls results · Measured before and after
CSUN Lilac Hall: 28% less electricity, 64% less natural gas
- About 26 metric tons of CO2e avoided per year
- About a 3-month payback
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AI Occupancy Based HVAC Controls results · Independent CalNEXT field study
CSU Dominguez Hills: 36% less HVAC electricity, independently verified under CalNEXT
- 59.3% lower winter peak demand
- 52.7% lower summer peak demand
- Space temperature within about 1°F
How it decides
Step by step, zone by zone.
- 01
Occupied
AI HVAC Controls steps aside. Your BMS sequence of operations runs comfort exactly as it always has.
- 02
Room stays empty for a set time
It widens the heating and cooling deadbands so the zone drifts within a wider, still-safe range instead of holding tight setpoints for nobody.
- 03
Learning
Over the first several weeks it learns each zone's usage and thermal response, so it can start recovering comfort before people are likely to return.
- 04
Always reversible
Facilities can override or switch it off for a single VAV or the whole building, from the BMS front end or the KenergyAI interface.
What it connects to
The controls already in your building.
KenergyAI is an overlay. It sits on top of your existing HVAC equipment, BMS, thermostats, lighting controls and schedules. Software only, no construction. Your BMS stays in charge.
What stays the same
- No changes to BMS sequences of operation.
- No construction. No new hardware where networked lighting controls already exist.
- Overrides stay visible on the BMS front end.
Also works with the thermostats, lighting controls and class schedules your building already has.
- Occupancy Networked lighting controls (NLCs) or standalone networked occupancy sensors.
- Where it runs An on-prem server or university-provided virtual machine on your BACnet network. No cloud connection required for core operation.
- HVAC A BACnet-enabled BMS and VAV zones. Your BMS stays in charge.
What doesn't change
Your building runs the way it runs today.
- No changes to BMS sequences of operation.
- No construction. No new hardware where networked lighting controls already exist.
- Hot/cold calls are handled the same way, with the same BMS tools.
- Overrides stay visible on the BMS front end.
No networked lighting controls?
Standalone sensors work too.
AI HVAC Controls can also work with standalone occupancy sensors. At CSU Dominguez Hills, sensors were added and it was still software only with no construction, cutting HVAC electricity 36% in an independent CalNEXT study.
Or, for classrooms, start with the class schedule using Classroom Schedule + HVAC Integration.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Do we need new hardware?
Not if your building already has networked lighting controls or networked occupancy sensors and a BACnet BMS. If not, sensors can be added without construction. Our team will confirm which applies to your building during the intro call.
Does it replace my BMS?
No. KenergyAI extends your BMS rather than replacing it. The BMS continues to run occupied comfort.
Is it cloud-based?
No. It runs on-prem on your network.
What happens if we turn it off?
The building returns to its normal BMS logic.
What will we save?
The headline result for AI Occupancy Based HVAC Controls is 35% HVAC energy savings. Your number depends on how your rooms are used, your HVAC type and your utility rates. Measured results are on the Results page.
Can it be deployed on its own?
Yes. Every KenergyAI module can be deployed on its own or combined with the others.
What about cost and payback?
Because KenergyAI is software only, your cost depends on what your building already has. If you already have networked lighting controls (NLCs) and a BACnet BMS, the cost is minimal. If not, adding occupancy sensors raises the cost a little, and we expect payback to stay under two years even in worst-case scenarios. Your numbers depend on how your rooms are used, your HVAC type and your utility rates. Schedule a consultation and we'll estimate yours.
Want to know if your building qualifies?
Share your BMS, lighting controls or occupancy sensors. We will assess whether your building is a fit.