75F merges smart building IAQ sensing, equipment control into single device

Building automation specialist 75F has introduced the 75F Helio Node, billed as a first-of-its-kind terminal equipment controller bundled with five sensors and flexible mounting options for enhanced energy efficiency and indoor air quality (IAQ) capabilities.

The Helio Node controls damper actuators, lighting panels, staged equipment, and other devices with equipment profiles and control sequences that come pre-programmed in the device, and work "out of the box."

Per a company press release, the Helio Node "automatically senses occupancy, light, CO2, temperature, and humidity, eliminating the need to wire up additional sensors. The combination of sensors enables true Title 24 compliance. Features like Auto Away Mode save energy when a space is not occupied — both from temperature and ventilation loads — and ensure optimal air quality when a space is occupied," according to 75F.

The new device comes with two thermistor inputs, two analog inputs, four relays, and four analog outputs for the option to connect with additional sensors, opening the door to a wide array of possible use cases.

The manufacturer contends that installers can mount the Helio Node on a standard junction box, on drop down pipes for open ceilings, or directly to ceiling tiles, "so that IAQ sensing is no longer limited to the peripherals of an open-concept office or commercial space."

The new device works seamlessly with 75F's IoT-based building management system (BMS), including its user portal, Facilisight. This allows facility managers to see real-time Helio Node sensor data in pre-packaged or custom analytics dashboards that can share across platforms for dynamic sustainability and IAQ goal tracking.

"The Helio Node truly allows building operators to do more with less," commented Deepinder Singh, founder and CEO of 75F. "We built a device that requires less wiring for additional sensors, less programming for equipment control, and less compromise. Ultimately, the Helio Node addresses significant cost and complexity barriers for simplified temperature, IAQ, and lighting control in places like office buildings."