ASHRAE Journal - April 2022 - 6

INDUSTRY NEWS
Digitalization Accelerating
Contributed by BSRIA Worldwide Market Intelligence
BRACKNELL, BERKSHIRE, U.K.- The initial deployment and adoption
of Internet of Things (IoT) technology was sluggish
in the U.S., but the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated
cloud adoption on a global scale, propelling IoT tech to
an all-time high adoption rate.
BSRIA has monitored the development of digitalization
and IoT in the HVAC&R sector for a decade. BSRIA
has seen the level of Internet Protocol (IP) controllers
steadily increase with the volume of BUS (an IoT communication
protocol)-connected field devices and now
the introduction of IoT-connected actuators.
From the field up, air quality monitoring and CO2
sensors recorded a steep progression,
which has accelerated during
the COVID-19 pandemic. Wireless
and IoT utility increased as installation
work had to be done on a large
scale in a short amount of time, due
to increased remote working, shopping,
monitoring health and safety
and more. After the onset of the
COVID-19 pandemic triggered the
initial rush, BSRIA foresees a stabilization
of the growth rate for IoT
products, but still benefiting from
the cloud adoption and remote working trends.
There is a movement toward more connectivity, in
particular on BUS-connected devices. This is aided by a
market shift in commercial construction toward motorization
and real-time response with the increased
demand for IAQ and demand-controlled ventilation. On
the IoT side of the market, the volume of sales remains
low, but the product offering has increased. Blockchain
is also making the business case for IoT more attractive.
In terms of end uses, sensors collect a wider range of
physical characteristics-notably IAQ, occupancy, lighting
or safety-related concerns converging into the same
building automation and controls (BAC) systems. This
convergence is naturally facilitated with connected systems-wired
or wireless, overlayed or integrated.
CO2 detectors saw peak growth rates this year, and this
AirConditioning
Unit
(e.g., Rooftop
Unit, Chiller)
6
ASHRAE JOURNAL ashrae.o rg
A P R I L 2022
HVAC Sensor Market by Application, % Share by Value, 2019 (U.S.)
Multi-Sensors
Light-Dependent Sensors
Occupancy/Motion
VOC
CO
CO2
Temperature
Humidity
Pressure Air
Pressure Liquid
Field Devices Connectivity, Volume, % Share, 2020 (U.S.)
Boiler
Internet
Connected
Sensors
Valves
Actuators
Easy to Connect
(Gateway)
Damper
Actuators
Electricity
Meters
Not Connectable
Other
Devices
could continue. This is particularly true in some verticals
such as schools due to the U.S.'s targeted federal and
state funding for improved ventilation. Other digital
sensors are geared more toward equipment performance,
energy efficiency, reliability and resilience.
Remote monitoring is becoming increasingly popular to
ensure most efficient use of systems and also preventive
maintenance.
Field devices get more sophisticated, driving more
data. Movement in the market is expected as the market
rebounds from the pandemic. For controllers, the IP
uptake is lower, closer to the field level, e.g., about 40%
for field level controllers compared to 100% for building
controllers. But BSRIA expects the uptake of IP to
continue.
For BAC systems, the progression of digitalization
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ASHRAE Journal - April 2022

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