Connected and Distributed Sensing in Buildings

The Internet of Things (IoT) is the vision of achieving interconnectivity in physical devices. This aspiration has started to translate into the buildings sector. Modern buildings are increasingly equipped with a wide array of sensors. Numerous wall thermostats, both for the commercial and residential sectors, go beyond temperature sensing and can measure indoor humidity, occupancy, carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, and light intensity. Examples from recent literature indicate that new buildings are equipped with more than 200 sensors and 100 actuators per 1,000 m2 of floor space [1]–[3]. Distributed and connected sensing represents an untapped opportunity for us to optimize the operation of buildings by reducing energy use and operation costs and improving occupant comfort, health, and productivity [4], [5].