Understanding the BACS Decree
The BACS (Building Automation & Control Systems) decree, published under European Directive 2018/844, requires the installation of automation and control systems in tertiary buildings with HVAC installations exceeding 290 kW nominal power. The goal? Optimize the management of technical equipment (heating, ventilation, air conditioning, lighting...) to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Decrypting the BACS Decree
The decree applies to new and existing tertiary buildings when their HVAC systems exceed 290 kW nominal power. Through the integration of Building Technical Management (BTM) systems, operators must be able to:
- Monitor real-time energy consumption (electricity, heating, air conditioning...)
- Detect and correct inefficiencies to improve energy performance
- Automate and control equipment to optimize operation based on actual needs
2025: A Key Year for Compliance
From 2025, all affected buildings must be equipped with an automated management system capable of:
- Tracking, recording, and analyzing energy consumption
- Optimizing equipment operation in real-time
- Generating alerts and proposing automatic adjustments to limit waste
What About Penalties?
Compliance delays could lead to regulatory constraints (energy downgrading, corrective obligations), but specific terms remain to be defined by administration.
A Profitable Investment
The cost of installing a BACS system is estimated between €30 and €50/m² according to ADEME. On average, these investments are recouped in 5 to 7 years through energy savings.
Technical Solutions
Energy Supervision and Advanced BTM
Tools like SCADA or dedicated platforms enable:
- Collecting and centralizing data from sensors
- Continuously analyzing energy performance via interactive dashboards
- Automating corrective actions (temperature adjustment, automatic light switching...)
IoT Technology Integration
The Internet of Things (IoT) plays a key role in BACS evolution:
- Connected meters and smart sensors provide real-time data for refined energy management
- Predictive analysis anticipates deviations and adjusts settings based on actual usage
How to Prepare for Compliance
1. Assess existing infrastructure - Conduct an energy audit to identify obsolete equipment
2. Choose appropriate tools - Prefer open solutions compatible with European standards (OPC UA, BACnet, Modbus...)
3. Support teams - Train operators and technicians on new tools
OperaMetrix supports companies in auditing, designing, and deploying supervision and automation solutions compliant with BACS decree requirements.