In a school, office building, or retail store, energy consumption also depends on how the equipment is operated. Does a radiator continue to heat the space when the building is closed? Does the measured temperature match the expected comfort level? Does an unoccupied room maintain the same setpoint throughout the day?
LoRaWAN makes it possible to add measurement points and radio-controlled actuators to an existing system. When combined with a suitable PLC and monitoring system, the sensors, thermostatic valve, and Enless Wireless gateway help enable more precise energy management while minimizing the need for communication cabling.
From monitoring energy consumption to managing equipment
Energy monitoring is used to observe a building’s operation: recording energy consumption, tracking temperatures, and identifying deviations. The control system uses this information to adjust the equipment based on the occupants’ needs and the rules defined by the building operator.
This distinction determines the project’s architecture. A temperature curve can indicate overheating. To correct this automatically, a control device and control logic are also required. In an BMS, sensors provide measurements, actuators execute commands, and the PLC coordinates the system’s operation.
Radio technology makes it easier to add these access points in occupied buildings, where running new communication cables would be impractical. The integrator can start with priority areas and then expand the system after validating the initial use cases.
Data to Help Better Manage a Commercial Building
Measuring the temperature in the right spot
Room temperature allows you to compare actual conditions to setpoints and occupancy schedules. The TX T&H MINI 600-050 mini temperature and humidity sensor provides these measurements to the BMS in a discreet format suitable for offices and classrooms.
The choice of location is just as important as the choice of sensor. A measurement taken near a radiator or in direct sunlight may not be representative of the occupied area. Placing a room sensor in an appropriate location helps interpret deviations and adjust the control settings.
Take into account the presence of people and windows
The TX LIGHT PIR T&H 600-062 combines presence detection, day/night light sensing, and temperature and humidity monitoring. The data it collects can be used to define occupancy rules in the BMS. The TX WINDOW 600-065, meanwhile, transmits status changes for doors and windows.
The integrator can thus program a setpoint reduction after a period of absence or during a prolonged opening. These scenarios must incorporate a delay and comfort constraints: the absence of movement is not always sufficient to conclude that a room is empty.
Combining comfort with CO₂ monitoring
The T&H AMB 600-053 CO₂ Transmitter measures CO₂, temperature, and humidity. In a meeting room or classroom, this data provides a more complete picture of the indoor environment.
When the ventilation system and its interface allow it, the BMS can use CO₂ data to adjust its operation. The sensor provides a measurement; the ventilation control system and associated rules must still be integrated into the project. A CO₂ measurement alone does not provide a complete assessment of air quality.
Remotely read meters to track results
The TX PULSE 600-036 counts pulses from compatible meters with dry contacts or open-collector outputs, then transmits their readings via radio. It allows existing meters to be used without extending their communication link to the PLC.
The monitoring system then converts these readings into consumption figures based on the meter’s pulse weight. By cross-referencing this data with schedules and temperatures, the facility operator can identify consumption occurring when the space is unoccupied and track the impact of their settings.
Controlling Water-Filled Radiators with a LoRaWAN Thermostatic Valve
The Enless TX VALVE 600-060 thermostatic valve receives commands from the BMS to control the hydronic radiators. It offers two control modes, plus a summer mode.
In Temperature mode, the BMS sends a setpoint, and the valve uses its internal algorithm to adjust its opening. This allows the integrator to delegate control of the radiator to the valve while retaining control of schedules and setpoints within the PLC.
In Motor Position mode, the BMS directly controls a percentage of the valve opening. The internal control algorithm is not used in this case: the integrator defines the control logic in the BMS.
The Enless documentation also describes the use of a temperature reading from an external sensor as a control reference. This option is useful when the measurement must be taken at a distance from the radiator; it requires configuring the transmission of this temperature to the valve.
The TX VALVE operates in LoRaWAN Class A. It receives commands during the reception windows that follow its transmissions. The transmission interval must therefore be selected based on the desired responsiveness and the expected battery life. A command from the BMS should not be considered instantaneous.
To prepare for integration, see our article “Integrating a LoRaWAN Thermostatic Valve with the BMS ” and the TX VALVE installation and configuration guide.
A Local Architecture Using the Enless LoRaWAN Gateway
Connect the radio equipment to the BMS
The Enless RX LORAWAN 500-602 LoRaWAN gateway includes a LoRaWAN network server (LNS). It collects radio messages and makes the data available to the PLC or supervisory system in Modbus RTU/TCP or BACnet IP/MS/TP. Support for BACnet mode is documented starting with firmware version 1.3.1.
Enless LoRaWAN sensors feature native decoding. Third-party sensors can also be integrated using appropriate codecs and mapping. The advertised capacity is up to 500 sensors; system sizing must also take into account radio traffic and the project’s control requirements.
In this architecture, the gateway facilitates communication between the radio equipment and the BMS. Schedules, cross-system scenarios, operational alarms, and data logging must be handled by the appropriate functions of the PLC or the supervisory system.
Keep essential functions on-site
A private LoRaWAN network allows you to choose the location of the radio infrastructure and set up a local installation. With the Enless gateway’s built-in LNS, data can be collected and decoded on-site, without the need for a subscription to a LoRaWAN operator.
To maintain control during an Internet outage, the control logic must also operate locally. A gateway installed in the building is not sufficient if control decisions depend on a remote service. Monitoring can remain local or be supplemented by a remote service, depending on operational needs.
An operator-managed network remains a viable option for certain remote meter reading projects. The choice depends on indoor coverage, data access procedures, the necessary top-down commands, and maintenance constraints.
Example of a pilot program at a school
Let’s consider a school equipped with hydronic radiators and a controller capable of communicating with the Enless gateway. The integrator installs TX VALVE valves on compatible radiators, room temperature sensors in the classrooms, and, as needed, occupancy or door-opening sensors.
The controller uses a schedule that distinguishes between school hours, evenings, weekends, and holidays. It sends a command tailored to each zone. A room that remains unoccupied for an extended period may be subject to a temporary temperature reduction, while a prolonged period of occupancy may trigger a specific rule.
The return to normal operations must take into account the time it takes to receive orders and the thermal inertia of the premises. The monitoring system records temperatures and energy consumption to allow the operator to adjust the restart schedules.
This is an example of an architecture that the integrator must design and configure. The scenarios described are not preconfigured automation sequences in the Enless gateway.
Prepare for deployment and verify the results
Before installation, identify the areas, existing equipment, available interfaces, and measurement points. For radiators, verify the mechanical compatibility of the valve bodies and the necessary adapters. For proprietary HVAC equipment, identify the specific interfaces: a LoRaWAN connection does not replace the manufacturer’s protocol.
Next, verify radio coverage under actual building conditions, particularly in utility rooms and behind large obstacles. The number of sensors, their sampling rate, and the volume of commands must be evaluated together.
During commissioning, test an end-to-end control sequence, the status feedback, and the system’s behavior in the event of a communication failure. Document the fallback modes and the maintenance procedures required.
Finally, compare energy consumption over comparable time periods, taking into account weather conditions and occupancy levels. Energy savings depend on the building, its initial condition, and the settings actually applied; they must be measured on-site.
BACS Decree and Tertiary Decree
The BACS decree sets forth the framework for the installation of automation and control systems in eligible commercial buildings. For existing buildings, the timeline specifies a deadline of January 1, 2025, for systems exceeding 290 kW, and January 1, 2030, for systems exceeding 70 kW, with specific provisions for new construction, renovations, and exemptions. The exact scope of the project must be verified in the official BACS guide dated January 2026.
The Tertiary Sector Eco-Energy Program applies in particular to buildings or groups of buildings with a total of at least 1,000 m² of tertiary sector activities. It sets consumption targets and requires annual monitoring via OPERAT.
Enless products provide measurement, communication, and control capabilities that are useful for these processes. Compliance is assessed at the level of the entire installation and the functions that are actually implemented. It does not result solely from the choice of sensors or a gateway.
Plan Your Project with Enless Wireless
Would you like to add measurements to an existing BMS or control hydronic radiators via radio? Contact Enless Wireless and provide details about the type of building, the equipment to be connected, and your controller’s protocols. Our team can guide you toward the products and technical resources best suited to your system architecture.
