The number of smart buildings is projected to increase 150% from 2022 to 2026 – growing from 45 million to 115 million globally.¹ The upshot? The smart building transformation enables a move from reactive to proactive strategies for our built environments. But few have it all figured out today. With increasing energy costs, an evolution in occupancy patterns and increasing focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, many organizations are under pressure to meet net zero goals and improve operating costs while supporting business growth.

The answers are in the data. Forrester Consulting conducted the world’s largest industry study on smart buildings, Cracking the code: Unleash your smart buildings strategy with the power of facility data, on behalf of Johnson Controls. The report found that more than 1 in 3 facility management departments are already using smart building data to inform strategic decisions.

So how do you join the smart building transformation? And what makes a building smart? It’s not one thing, but lots of parts working together. Whether you are starting a building project or looking to get more out of your existing infrastructure – see where you can take your building to the next level with the right equipment and data.

Unboxing the Johnson Controls smart buildings kit….

• Efficient heating and cooling: HVAC systems typically consume the most energy in commercial buildings², so selecting industry-leading systems which deliver indoor comfort and operational savings (as well as sustainable solutions) is key. Johnson Controls offers the largest portfolio of HVAC equipment in the world, engineered to maximize energy efficiency.
• Life safety solutions: Choosing the right life safety system or solutions is critical to ensuring people and property, your most valuable assets, are protected, regardless of the type of building you manage. From 2013 to 2022, nonresidential building fires in the US increased by 27%, and deaths rose by 83%.³ In addition to the devastating loss of life, the financial burden is massive, with fires in commercial buildings costing owners an estimated $3.7 billion in 2022 alone.³ Fire safety begins with fire detection via sensors, initiating devices, annunciators and control units connected to integrated systems. We also manufacture, configure and install an unmatched range of fire suppression systems including sprinklers, valves, extinguishers, agents, special hazards systems, related components and fittings.
• Multi-layer security: In the unfortunate event of theft, workplace accidents, or vandalism, clear video footage can assist law enforcement in identifying suspects and gathering necessary evidence. Additionally, in the case of false claims, video footage can help safeguard your organization from unnecessary liability. Covering a spectrum of options, from small, simple installations, to larger enterprise needs, our access control and video surveillance solutions can help meet real-time security challenges and prevent intrusions. Our solutions integrate seamlessly with access control and intrusion systems, whether they’re manufactured by Johnson Controls or by other leading security companies. Effortless integration will not only enhance safety and give peace of mind but also translate into operational efficiencies to save you time and money.
• Advanced control & monitoring: In some facilities, the data points can number in the tens of thousands.⁴ Building Automation and Controls systems like Metasys take that torrent of data and turn it into actionable information that enables facility operators to be more productive. Metasys is an industry-leading Building Automation System (BAS) that connects commercial HVAC, lighting, security and protection systems – enabling them to communicate on a single platform to deliver the information you need, allowing for smarter, savvier decisions. Recently released Metasys 14.0 now features enhanced network performance, simplified administration and improved energy management.
• AI-enhanced building performance: Real-time data visibility across assets, people and processes, empowering you to drive intelligent and proactive operations. Imagine a single pane of glass interface, a gateway to the live activity of your building, where a seamless connection and data flow are established with our smart building platform. OpenBlue Enterprise Manager now features integrated generative AI tools that proactively recommend the most impactful energy savings projects, reducing the need to analyze large amounts of building data. Without needing to write prompts, the system anticipates common needs, such as analyzing energy usage based on live weather data and chosen baselines, to create actionable insights, helping you achieve energy savings and reduction in carbon emissions.
• Equipment optimization and maintenance: Digital services help you meet your operational, financial and sustainability goals. Using digitally-enabled, tailored solutions, we’ll help you identify, prioritize and implement changes that increase efficiency, minimize unplanned downtime, reduce energy consumption and deliver a healthier environment for occupants. Why not start by optimizing your chiller’s performance. Chiller systems can consume as much as 40% of your building’s total energy costs, so it’s no surprise that many building owners and operators are now thinking about chiller optimization. What isn’t appealing about reducing your chiller systems’ downtime by as much as 50%, lowering your system energy costs by up to 20% and benefiting from a lower cost of ownership?⁵

From un-box to un-leash

Ready to take the blindfold off and see your building's true potential? With our smart buildings kit, you can transform your facilities from static entities into smart, strategic assets. Using advanced cyber-resilient technologies like AI, IoT and cloud, you'll create safe, healthy and sustainable spaces that blend seamlessly with human and environmental needs. Discover how we can help you achieve this transformation every day of the year.

References

¹Juniper Research, Smart Building Deployments to Exceed 115 Million Globally in 2026

²EnergyStar.gov, Commercial Real Estate: An Overview of Energy Use and Energy Efficiency Opportunities

³US Fire Administration, Non-residential Fire Estimate Summaries (2013-2022)

⁴Johnson Controls, BAS delivers a new kind of smart

⁵Johnson Controls Why Chiller Optimization Makes Sense, and Why Frost & Sullivan Thinks Johnson Controls is Your Best Partner