Offering — available now
Make energy waste visible.
Buildings are among the world's largest energy consumers, yet inefficiencies often go unnoticed. Heating and cooling systems may run simultaneously, ventilation may operate in empty spaces, equipment can cycle unnecessarily, and poorly performing systems can persist for months without detection.
URBS uses wireless LoRaWAN sensor networks to reveal how buildings operate under real-world conditions — where energy is being lost, why systems are underperforming and where improvements can have the greatest impact.
What is LoRaWAN?
Section 01
Long-range monitoring without extensive new wiring.
LoRaWAN is a low-power wireless communication network designed to transmit small amounts of sensor data over long distances. Battery-powered sensors collect information from throughout a building and send it to a central gateway, which transfers the data to a monitoring platform.
Because the sensors require little cabling and can operate for extended periods on battery power, they can be added to existing buildings with minimal disruption. Deployments can begin with a small number of measurement points and expand as additional questions or needs emerge.
LoRaWAN does not replace an existing building management system. It can supplement BMS, meter and utility data by filling information gaps and providing visibility into spaces or equipment that are not currently monitored.
From data to action
Section 02
Better decisions begin with understanding how the building actually operates.
Energy models, utility bills and equipment specifications provide part of the picture. Continuous operational data shows what happens inside the building from hour to hour — how systems respond to occupancy, weather, schedules and one another.
URBS uses this data to identify patterns of energy waste, investigate the causes of underperformance and develop targeted strategies for improvement. Monitoring can then continue after changes are made, helping verify whether the intended results have been achieved.
How it works
Section 03
01
Define
We begin by identifying the questions the project needs to answer. This determines what should be measured, where sensors should be installed and how frequently data should be collected.
02
Deploy
Wireless sensors are installed throughout the building to measure relevant operational and environmental conditions. Devices are selected around the building, its systems and the objectives of the project.
03
Collect
Sensor readings are transmitted through the LoRaWAN network to a centralized monitoring platform, creating a continuous record of building conditions and equipment operation.
04
Understand
Dashboards, trends and alerts make it possible to compare spaces, systems and periods of operation. URBS analyzes the data to identify inefficiencies, anomalies and relationships that would otherwise remain hidden.
05
Act and verify
The findings are translated into operational adjustments, maintenance actions or longer-term infrastructure improvements. Continued monitoring can verify performance and identify where further action is needed.
What we measure
Section 04
Every deployment is tailored to the building and the questions being investigated. Common measurements include:
- Electricity and energy consumption
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Indoor air quality — CO₂, VOCs and particulate matter
- Occupancy and space utilization
- HVAC operation and equipment runtime
- Heating and cooling system performance
- Water consumption
- Pressure, flow and other system-specific conditions
What the data can reveal
Section 05
Out-of-hours energy use
Identify equipment and systems operating when buildings or spaces are unoccupied.
Simultaneous heating and cooling
Reveal where systems are working against one another and consuming energy unnecessarily.
Ventilation and occupancy mismatch
Compare ventilation performance with actual occupancy and indoor air quality conditions.
Uneven building performance
Identify spaces that are consistently too warm, too cold or otherwise operating outside expected conditions.
Equipment underperformance
Detect unusual runtime, cycling or operational patterns that may indicate control problems, maintenance needs or declining performance.
Water waste
Identify abnormal consumption and potential leakage before it becomes visible through larger utility costs or physical damage.
Performance after improvements
Track conditions before and after operational changes or retrofit measures to understand whether the intervention is working as intended.
Applications
Section 06
Energy optimization
Identify avoidable consumption and develop targeted operational or technical measures to reduce energy use and cost.
Building diagnostics
Understand how equipment, controls, spaces and occupants interact under real operating conditions.
Indoor environmental quality
Monitor temperature, humidity, air quality and occupancy to support healthier and more comfortable spaces.
Maintenance and fault detection
Recognize unusual patterns early so operational teams can investigate before problems become larger or more disruptive.
Investment planning
Use measured performance data to identify priorities, support technical decisions and strengthen the case for future improvements.
Continuous monitoring and verification
Track performance over time and verify the effect of implemented measures.