R-Zero

Good enough is not enough for sensor data. CO2 sensors are often installed and forgotten, yet HVAC systems rely on their readings every hour of every day. Industry studies have found that a portion of installed CO2 sensors experience meaningful accuracy drift over time, especially in buildings that operate continuously or cycle through large temperature and humidity swings. When that drift goes unnoticed, ventilation systems end up responding to the wrong signals, and the expected savings from demand-controlled ventilation never appear. The fix? Treat data quality as part of your core energy strategy. Three checks help avoid wasted energy and misleading inputs: • Make sure the signals driving ventilation mirror real-time activity in the building. • Identify rooms that receive consistent ventilation even when they sit empty, since that is where the biggest savings are usually hiding. • Review trends regularly to confirm the building is responding to real activity, not outdated schedules.When the inputs are right, the building responds intelligently. When they are not, inefficiency becomes part of the system. #buildingcontrols #bms #facilitiesmanagement #hvacoptimization #energyefficiency

Small data errors often translate into large and unnecessary expenses. Many CO2 sensors drift by a few percent each year, and double digit drifts are not uncommon over time. Industry studies have shown that even a 5 percent inaccuracy can force HVAC systems to run longer, condition more outside air, and maintain ventilation at levels that are no longer needed. According to recent DOE findings, buildings with inaccurate air quality inputs routinely overspend on HVAC energy. That added runtime compounds quickly. A slight drift can add thousands in avoidable costs each year for a single building, and significantly more across a portfolio. The fix is simple. Invest in sensors that do not require recalibration, consistently validate your data accuracy, and ensure your ventilation controls match actual conditions. Small corrections often unlock big savings when they eliminate quiet, persistent waste. When your baseline is right, everything upstream becomes easier to optimize. For a deeper look at how DOE connects data quality to HVAC energy performance, the Smart Energy Analytics Campaign has a helpful summary of common issues and savings opportunities: https://lnkd.in/eR-fKwkA #energyefficiency #IAQ #facilitiesengineering #buildingperformance #smartbuildings

Proptech Buzz calls out a key shift in smart building operations: data that actually drives action and savings. That’s where we shine. Our platform turns insights into performance, efficiency, and higher NOI. When building systems can see what’s happening in real time, they can respond just as intelligently. That’s the future we’re building toward. Thanks to PropTechBuzz for the mention and for highlighting the innovators moving the industry forward. #SmartBuildings #PropTech #BuildingIntelligence #EnergyEfficiency #OperationalIntelligence #Sustainability

Data-driven ventilation strategies are unlocking a new level of efficiency, reliability, and operational awareness. Golden Gate ASHRAE's panel on "Building Controls: Balancing Energy Efficiency and Occupant Productivity" brought together engineers, contractors, designers, and building owners for a focused discussion on what actually works in modern facilities. The session highlighted the practical strategies driving measurable gains across both new construction and existing buildings. Panelists from Genentech, UCSF, Sunbelt Controls, Alfatech, and Acuity shared grounded perspectives on occupancy and IAQ sensing, BMS integrations, continuous commissioning, and the evolving choice between on-prem and cloud-based control systems. A special acknowledgment to Sanjil Karki, ASHRAE Golden Gate Chapter President and Sales Director at R-Zero, for facilitating a discussion that brought together all sides of the ecosystem. When engineers, contractors, and owners collaborate early, performance improves faster and more predictably. Key Insights: • BMS integrations are evolving to enable smarter, data-driven control strategies. • Real-time occupancy and IAQ sensing are shaping the next wave of building optimization. • Continuous commissioning is essential for maintaining long-term energy performance. • The balance between on-prem and cloud-based systems is shifting toward flexibility and resilience. • Cross-disciplinary collaboration delivers the fastest path to measurable efficiency gains. The momentum behind intelligent, responsive buildings continues to accelerate—and conversations like this show just how important collaboration will be in shaping the future of energy efficiency. #SmartBuildings #EnergyEfficiency #BuildingPerformance #OperationalExcellence #ASHRAE #PropTech

One of the world’s most recognized technology and communications leaders has partnered with R-Zero to bring next-generation intelligence to their real estate portfolio. This partnership marks one of the most comprehensive deployments of R-Zero’s Building Intelligence platform to date, integrating Occupancy-Based Demand Control Ventilation (O-DCV) and R-Zero’s full suite of smart building technologies to maximize energy savings across facilities. By deploying the full suite of R-Zero technologies, the organization is taking decisive steps to: 🔹 Cut energy waste by automating ventilation based on actual building conditions 🔹 Streamline data into a unified platform for portfolio-wide analytics and control 🔹 Optimize space utilization through real-time occupancy insights 🔹 Improve HVAC system efficiency while providing high-quality air filtration This partnership goes beyond upgrading building systems; it redefines how spaces consume and conserve energy. With R-Zero's O-DCV, the organization will have the real-time intelligence to measure, manage, and reduce energy use while enhancing workplace comfort and sustainability. The program launches across the Northeastern U.S. portfolio, with plans for global expansion. By integrating R-Zero’s real-time occupancy and environmental data directly into their control systems, the organization can automate ventilation to match demand, cut unnecessary energy spend, and drive measurable reductions in both operating expenses and carbon impact, all from a single intelligent platform. This is what the future of smart, efficient, and sustainable buildings looks like. We’re proud to be building it together. #SmartBuildings #BuildingIntelligence #CorporateRealEstate #PropTech #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #ODCV

Dead banding is quietly costing building portfolios millions in unnecessary energy use every year. Originally designed to protect mechanical systems from short cycling, dead banding creates a neutral zone where systems sit idle until conditions drift too far off target. In practice, that “do nothing” gap allows inefficiency to spread through every HVAC cycle and every square foot of space. For large portfolios, the result is clear: higher operating costs, wasted energy, and reduced returns on assets that should be performing at their peak. Modern control strategies like occupancy-based demand control ventilation (ODCV) and real-time analytics have made this approach obsolete. Continuous visibility into system demand enables precise adjustments that cut energy waste, extend equipment life, and convert inefficiency into measurable NOI gains. Eliminating dead banding is not just a technical decision. It is a financial one. The organizations moving first are turning energy waste into operating margin and shifting spend from OpEx to long-term value creation. #HVACEfficiency #PortfolioOptimization #Decarbonization #SmartBuildings #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #ODCV #BuildingPerformance #NOIGrowth

Energy prices across New York are climbing faster than most businesses can keep up, and for commercial buildings, the math is getting painful. The Times Union reports that utility bills are rising sharply across New York. One small business put it plainly: “We used less kWh … and our bill will be almost $600 more.” Imagine what that means for a 500,000 sq ft office tower. For commercial properties, the impact is greater. Utility costs are the largest driver of OpEx and HVAC alone accounts for more than half of total spend. Many systems still ventilate as if every floor is fully occupied every day, wasting both energy and NOI. Occupancy-based demand control ventilation (ODCV) changes this equation. By aligning ventilation with actual headcount, ODCV reduces HVAC energy use by more than 30 percent. That equates to $0.80 per square foot annually, or roughly $400,000 in savings for a 500,000 sq ft NYC property. These savings also support Local Law 97 compliance and provide a buffer against future rate increases. Rising utility bills are outside of an owner’s control. Energy waste is not. CRE leaders who act now can turn a cost challenge into an opportunity for efficiency, compliance, and asset value growth. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gBPDB34D #NewYork #CRE #SmartBuildings #LL97 #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #ODCV

We’re at CREtech New York today! In New York, building performance is no longer optional. Local Law 84 requires annual energy benchmarking, and Local Law 97 sets strict emissions caps, which means owners are under pressure to prove efficiency and compliance now. At last year’s CREtech, our CEO Jennifer Nuckles' keynote provided clear advice: focus on technologies that drive outcomes, deliver clarity, and support facilities teams instead of overwhelming them. That message matters even more today. R-Zero is here in NYC, demonstrating how to reduce energy consumption, reduce energy cost, reduce HVAC waste, and improve the NOI of buildings. If you are attending, let’s connect at the show! If not, we would be glad to share how smarter building intelligence is shaping New York and beyond. Here's what we heard at CRETech NYC 2024: https://lnkd.in/et69VbYK #CREtechNYC #PropTech #SmartBuildings #BuildingIntelligence #CommercialRealEstate

ODCV works best when everyone has a seat at the table. Occupancy-Based Demand Control Ventilation (ODCV) is often thought of as a facilities project, but the reality is that it’s a strategic investment with ripple effects across the organization. At its core, ODCV adjusts ventilation based on how spaces are actually used. The benefits can be substantial: reduced energy spend, lower carbon emissions, and verified indoor air quality. But achieving those outcomes isn’t just about the technology; it’s about alignment. The most successful ODCV initiatives bring multiple stakeholders to the table: 🔹Facility managers who understand day-to-day operations 🔹Engineering and sustainability leaders focused on efficiency and carbon reduction 🔹Finance leaders weighing ROI and long-term asset value 🔹Workplace strategists ensuring occupant comfort and experience Each group has a stake, and when those perspectives are aligned, adoption happens faster, business cases are stronger, and results are more impactful. Smarter ventilation is only part of the story. The real unlock comes when ODCV becomes a shared initiative that improves both performance and trust. If you were starting an ODCV project today, who would you want at the table? #FacilitiesManagement #SmartBuildings #EnergyEfficiency #Sustainability #ODCV #PropTech #WorkplaceExperience

No two buildings operate the same way. And in older facilities, it’s common to find challenges like inoperable VAV boxes, aging AHUs, or outdated control systems. These issues can limit how well traditional ventilation strategies perform and drive up energy costs. That’s why R-Zero offers two types of Occupancy-Based Demand Control Ventilation (ODCV), giving facility leaders multiple paths to success: Zone-Level ODCV -Pros: Adjusts airflow at the room or floor level based on actual occupancy. Ideal for newer systems with functioning VAVs where precision is possible. -Avoids Pitfalls: Prevents over-ventilating underused rooms, a common inefficiency in modern systems that run on static schedules. AHU-Level ODCV -Pros: Centralizes control at the air handling unit, delivering efficiency gains across larger zones without relying on every VAV working perfectly. Often easier to retrofit in older buildings. -Avoids Pitfalls: Keeps entire systems from running at full load when only part of a building is occupied — a major pain point in legacy facilities with limited zone-level control. Both approaches deliver measurable results: lower energy costs, reduced carbon footprint, and improved air quality. The right path depends on your building’s age, condition, and priorities. Either way, ODCV helps facilities sidestep the inefficiencies that plague older systems and unlock smarter, more resilient operations. Smarter Ventilation 🤝 Flexible Solutions. #SmartBuildings #EnergyEfficiency #FacilitiesManagement #IndoorAirQuality #ODCV