Smarter ventilation, fewer headaches: how R-Zero’s O-DCV pilot works—and why it pays off

If you’re exploring an energy savings pilot with R-Zero, here’s what your teams need to know: how it works, what’s involved, how it compares to traditional systems, and how it creates value for asset, operations, and facilities leaders — fast and without disruption.

First, what is O-DCV?

Occupancy-Driven Demand Control Ventilation (O-DCV) uses real-time occupancy data to automatically adjust HVAC settings, so you’re ventilating spaces only when and where people are present. This is a major upgrade from static schedules or slow-reacting CO₂ sensors.

With R-Zero, it’s more than just occupancy. We combine real-time people count with electrically enhanced filtration to deliver a more intelligent, more efficient system that reduces energy waste, improves comfort, and cuts maintenance workload.

How it works

R-Zero’s platform connects discreet, AI-enhanced sensors to your existing BMS via BACnet/IP. That means:

• Live occupancy data determines when and where to ventilate
• Fan speeds and airflow are automatically adjusted in real time
• High-efficiency filters reduce pressure drop, extending filter life and saving fan energy
• All data stays on-prem unless analytics are explicitly requested

🧭 For asset & ops teams:
Don’t waste energy conditioning empty space.

Separately, understand actual usage by suite or zone, and use that data to guide leasing, renewals, and OpEx decisions.

⚙️ For ops & facilities:
Less runtime reduces wear on HVAC systems.

Separately, fewer comfort complaints and longer-lasting filters lighten the day-to-day workload for facilities teams.

The pilot process

We tailor each pilot to your building’s unique needs—but every pilot follows a streamlined, low-friction path to measurable results.

Step-by-step:

1. Discovery & scoping
   • Identify target zones with energy or utilization upside. These are typically areas of your building with less than full occupancy Monday – Friday
   • Review mechanical drawings, BMS setup, filter types
   • Set goals: energy savings, utilization insights, IAQ comfort
2. Site survey & design
   • Virtual or in-person walkthrough
   • Map occupancy zones to HVAC systems
   • Scope occupancy sensor layout + filter upgrades
3. Deployment & integration
   • Install sensors + a gateway (no construction, can take place after hours) to share data to BACnet
   • Ensure BMS can read the data from BACnet
   • Swap in R-Zero filters—drop-in replacements with higher efficiency and lower pressure drop
4. Monitoring & optimization
   • Live data begins informing HVAC adjustments
   • Fan energy, outside air, and/or heating and cooling load drop in underused zones
   • Filter performance (pressure drop, fan energy) tracked over time
   • BMS data is reported back to R-Zero for measurement weekly or monthly by email of BMS trend data or via direct API connection
   • Cloud occupancy analytics turned on 
5. Review & expansion planning
   • Summarize results: energy saved, filter life extended, zone utilization logged
   • Plan phased rollout to more zones or buildings
   • Share findings with internal stakeholders

🛠️ “The install took less than a day. Our BMS picked up the data immediately, and within two weeks, we saw fan power drop 25%.”
— Director of Engineering, Commercial RE Portfolio

Why R-Zero’s approach beats traditional HVAC and DCV

Capability	Scheduled HVAC (Static)	Traditional DCV (CO₂-Based)	R-Zero O-DCV + Filtration
Control logic	Fixed time-of-day schedules	Reactive to CO₂ levels	Real-time people count
Zone precision	Whole building or floors	Suite-/zone-level control	Suite-/zone-level control
Energy impact	High runtime, high waste	Moderate savings, but runs after rooms are empty due to lingering CO₂	Up to 30% HVAC savings with immediate response when rooms empty
Filter impact	No impact	No impact	Filters cut fan energy & swaps
Comfort data	None	None	Optional live IAQ monitoring
Maintenance	High due to overuse	Still reactive	Less runtime, longer filter life
Comfort impact	Over-conditioning or complaints ignored	Delayed response: discomfort during meetings, higher risk of complaints	Immediate response: comfortable air as people enter, fewer hot/cold calls

“With R-Zero, we’re not just ventilating smarter—we’re buying time on major HVAC replacements. And I’m not chasing filter orders every 6 weeks anymore.”
— VP of Operations, National Portfolio

What you get

🧱 Asset managers

• Lower operating costs from HVAC savings
• Utilization insights at the suite level identify lease risks and growth patterns
• No capital or operating budget impact, thanks to our shared savings model
• Clear data to support capital planning and leasing strategy

⚙️ VPs of operations

• Direct energy savings against your budget from reduced HVAC power and reduced runtime
• Fewer filter swaps = lower material and labor cost
• Longer HVAC equipment lifespan via reduced runtime and load
• Lower risk of comfort complaints, higher operational reliability

🛠️ Facilities teams

• Less runtime, fewer calls, and real-time visibility
• Filters that last 2–3x longer, with lower pressure drop
• Simple install with no IT or construction headaches
• Live data helps spot IAQ issues before you get complaints

Why proceed

• Fast installs, measurable impact in weeks
• No cost to start, no disruption to tenants
• Energy + maintenance savings from day one
• Cross-functional value for asset, ops, and facilities leaders

📩 Ready to align internally or scope your pilot? We’re here to support that conversation—and deliver data that makes the case for you.