
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:
- 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
- Site survey & design
- Virtual or in-person walkthrough
- Map occupancy zones to HVAC systems
- Scope occupancy sensor layout + filter upgrades
- 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
- 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
- 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.
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