/ IoT Expert / Smart Building: why use IoT to connect your buildings

Smart building: how is the IoT transforming building management?

By 2030, non-residential buildings must reduce their energy consumption by 40%. At the same time, regulatory demands are increasing, occupants are becoming more sensitive to comfort, and the ecological transition is now a strategic priority.

In this context, the Internet of Things (IoT) is emerging as a powerful driver of building transformation. But what exactly can IoT do in a building? What are its benefits? And why has it become a must-have standard for non-residential, collective housing, or public sector buildings?

Elsa, Product Manager at Adeunis, shares her experience from the field.

Elsa, why is IoT such a relevant solution for smart buildings today?

One of IoT’s greatest strengths is its ability to quickly and affordably transform an existing building into a connected, manageable, and optimised environment. IoT devices can be installed without wiring, civil works, or interrupting building operations.

This makes it a natural ally for energy renovation, especially in schools, office buildings, social housing, or public facilities where construction constraints are high.

Unlike traditional wired technologies, IoT can be deployed without major work.

What types of use cases can be addressed with IoT sensors?

Plenty! With just a few well-placed sensors, you can, for example:

Measure temperature, humidity or CO₂ to adjust heating, air conditioning or ventilation;
Monitor water, gas or electricity consumption remotely;
Detect anomalies: leaks, faults, or unauthorised door openings;
Control a technical alarm or fan remotely.

All of this can happen automatically or via alerts sent to a management platform.

Can IoT help comply with the Tertiary Decree?

Absolutely. The Tertiary Decree requires a gradual reduction in energy consumption in non-residential buildings over 1,000 m²: -40% by 2030, -50% by 2040, and -60% by 2050.

However, no optimisation is possible without reliable and continuous data showing where, when, and why energy is being used. That’s where IoT sensors come in:

Monitoring energy use by application (heating, ventilation, hot water, etc.);
Detecting performance drift.

They also help identify the most effective levers (operating hours, HVAC settings, etc.) to reduce energy consumption and assess the real impact of corrective actions.

And what about indoor air quality (IAQ)? Is IoT useful there too?

Yes, IoT is widely used to monitor indoor air quality. In some settings, it’s even essential. For example, schools and public buildings are required by law to monitor CO₂ levels – a key indicator of ventilation needs.

An IoT CO₂ sensor not only provides real-time readings but can also trigger alerts or activate ventilation systems automatically when needed.

Is installing these sensors complicated?

No, installation is one of IoT’s major advantages. A sensor can be fitted in just a few minutes onto a wall or piece of equipment — no drilling or cabling needed. It runs on batteries and lasts several years.

Configuration can be done:

Locally via USB, Bluetooth, or NFC;
Remotely, via what we call a “LoRaWAN downlink” command.

The result: fast commissioning, non-intrusive installation, and battery life that can exceed 10 years depending on usage.

“Installation and setup only take a few minutes.”

What networks are available to connect the sensors?

Today, several long-range networks are designed specifically for the Internet of Things. Their role: reliably and securely transmit sensor data to a management platform, often with very low energy usage.

The choice of network depends on:

Building size and layout;
Number of sensors deployed;
Data criticality and required security;
Existing network coverage (cellular, LoRa, etc.);
Whether you need to centralise multiple sites.

Here’s a look at the most common options for smart buildings:

Public LoRaWAN (Orange, Netmore): sensors communicate via an operated network (Orange, Netmore, etc.), with no need for local infrastructure.
Private LoRaWAN: Gateways are installed on-site to create a dedicated local network.
NB-IoT / LTE-M: sensors incorporate a SIM card and use cellular networks directly (like a smartphone, but with very low power consumption).

Network	Required Infrastructure	Advantages	Security / Control	Operating Cost	Use Cases
LoRaWAN public	None (network operated by Orange, Netmore, etc.)	No on-site equipment, national/regional coverage, low subscription cost	Operator-based	Low (small subscription)	Few sensors, multisite deployment across wide areas
LoRaWAN private	Gateway(s) installed on site	Full autonomy, better data control, enhanced security, high scalability	Full control	Moderate (initial setup)	High sensor count, site-wide deployment
NB-IoT / LTE-M	None (built-in SIM, cellular)	Native cellular connectivity, no local network needed, international roaming possible	Very good coverage, roaming	Variable (cellular subscription)	Isolated or international sites

And what happens to the data once it’s collected?

Data is sent to a business platform such as Citron, Advizeo, Synox… or directly into a Building Management System (BMS).

It can then be used to:

Create dashboards (e.g., comfort, energy tracking);
Trigger smart alerts (email, push, API);
Automate controls.

For example: a sensor detects high temperature in one area → the platform sends an alert → the manager checks the heating system → the setpoint is adjusted remotely.

In some cases, the response is automatic: if CO₂ exceeds a set threshold, ventilation is activated without human intervention.

Even better:

Several sites can be monitored remotely.
Centralised energy management is possible — even for older buildings.

Are these solutions compatible with existing systems (BMS, APIs, etc.)?

Yes, this is one of the key benefits of modern IoT: interoperability. Adeunis sensors use standardised protocols, making them compatible with most Building Management Systems (BMS), cloud platforms and business tools.

Here’s how it works:

Data is decoded automatically by operator servers (public LoRaWAN or cellular) or by the local gateway (private LoRa).
It is then transmitted to the target platform via REST API, MQTT, Modbus TCP, or integrated via standard connectors.
Data can feed into an existing BMS, an energy management system, or a dedicated dashboard.

Can you tell us about some flagship sensors you offer?

PULSE: connects to an existing utility meter (electricity, water, gas) and sends readings remotely. It’s ideal for tracking consumption, detecting anomalies, or measuring savings after an intervention.
COMFORT: measures temperature and humidity. It helps optimise heating or air conditioning to reduce energy use without compromising comfort.

These two sensors reflect the core philosophy of IoT: simple, autonomous devices that deliver real performance gains.

To sum up, why choose IoT for managing a building?

Because IoT is much more than a measurement tool. It’s a strategic lever to:

Control energy costs;
Improve occupant comfort;
Comply with regulations;
Modernise without heavy refurbishment.

It’s the ideal tool to make buildings active participants in the energy transition.

“IoT gives building managers the power to act — without waiting for a full renovation. It integrates with existing systems, installs in just a few hours, and delivers a fast ROI.”

06/06/2025