Simplifying Smart Building Compliance with LoRaWAN® Technology
As energy regulations tighten across Europe and the UK, building owners face growing pressure to improve efficiency while keeping upgrade costs manageable. A new generation of Building Management Systems (BMS) powered by LoRaWAN® technology offers a simple, scalable, and cost-effective way to meet these evolving requirements.
At the IBS 2025 trade show, our partner Kerlink showcased an innovative solution designed to simplify BMS deployment and accelerate compliance with the latest energy performance standards.
Regulation Driving Change
Across Europe, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) and standard ISO 52120‑1 encourage the implementation of automated systems to better manage energy use.
In the UK, the regulatory landscape is evolving rapidly:
The UK Government is consulting on reforms to the Energy Performance of Buildings (England and Wales) Regulations 2012, with proposals to strengthen data management, introduce smarter building controls and enhance performance certification. GOV.UK
New guidance from the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) highlights how smart and automated building systems are becoming an integral part of the UK’s drive to net zero. https://www.buildings.com/smart-buildings
This means UK building-owners, especially for commercial and larger residential complexes, must consider not just insulation or HVAC upgrades, but also the digital systems that manage those assets.
Why UK Building Owners Should Take Notice
In the UK:
- Non-domestic buildings are increasingly expected to show strong energy performance, and new building regulations target “smart readiness” and full digital automation in control systems.
- For buildings already in use, retrofitting smart controls can yield substantial savings and improve compliance with emerging regulatory demands.
- The ability to deploy wireless sensor networks without major cabling works is a major advantage in the UK context where many buildings are older, listed, or have restrictive access.
LoRaWAN: Interoperable, Scalable, and Efficient
LoRaWAN is emerging as a powerful enabler in both new and existing UK buildings.
- New builds: Rapid installation of sensors and gateways without major construction work.
- Existing structures: Interoperability with standard building protocols such as BACnet and Modbus allows LoRaWAN to integrate alongside or replace legacy wiring systems.
At the heart of the solution is smart sensor-to-gateway deployment:
- Gateways must be strategically placed to ensure strong, uniform coverage. Kerlink gateways (designed and manufactured in France) support native LoRaWAN to BACnet/Modbus decoding, enabling multi-vendor sensor compatibility.
- Sensors for temperature, humidity, occupancy, air quality etc., are installed with minimal disruption. With LoRaWAN’s ultra-low power consumption, sensor battery life can exceed eight years.
- Data streams into a supervision platform where building managers in the UK can analyse and visualise consumption, spot inefficiencies and optimise operations.
In one real-world deployment by Avob, a 5000 square meter office building reduced energy consumption by 30%, with a return on investment in 18 months, a strong argument for UK operators looking to justify smart building upgrades.
Smarter, More Sustainable UK Buildings
With its combination of ease of deployment, interoperability, and data security, LoRaWAN provides a future-ready foundation for intelligent building management in the UK.
Beyond compliance, it empowers operators to drive data-driven efficiency, enhance occupant comfort and support ESG goals, all while adapting to the UK’s regulatory trajectory toward smarter, low-carbon buildings.
Sources: UK Government / GOV.UK, Avob, Kerlink.