Install Camera-Free Occupancy Sensor for Classroom Energy Savings

Plan your deployment

A successful installation begins with a short planning phase that documents objectives, room characteristics, stakeholders, and integration constraints.

Key steps

• Define objectives: lighting control, HVAC setback, DCV, utilization analytics, or a combination.
• Survey spaces: note room size, ceiling height, HVAC diffusers, windows, doors, and furniture layout.
• Identify stakeholders: facilities, IT, teachers, administrators, and privacy officers.
• Check system compatibility: confirm building automation system (BAS) protocols and whether the sensor supports common integration methods.
• Determine power and network: available power (line power, PoE, or battery) and network connectivity options (Wi‑Fi, wired Ethernet, or a gateway).

Documenting these items up front reduces surprises during installation.

Placement and coverage guidelines

Proper placement ensures reliable detection without false triggers.

General rules

• Mounting location: ceiling mounting is usually best for heat-based sensors to capture whole-room occupancy patterns; wall mounting may work for smaller rooms.
• Height: follow vendor recommendations; many thermal sensors work best when mounted at typical classroom ceiling heights (e.g., 8–12 ft), but check spec sheets for details.
• Coverage: one sensor can cover a small classroom; medium and large rooms likely need multiple sensors arranged to provide overlapping detection zones.
• Avoid interference: do not place sensors directly above HVAC diffusers, radiators, windows with direct sunlight, or near kitchen equipment.
• Line of sight: for PIR sensors, avoid obstructions. Heat-based sensors are more tolerant of occlusions but still benefit from unobstructed ceiling views.

Create a simple placement sketch for each room to standardize installs.

Installation checklist

Follow these practical steps during install to ensure a smooth deployment.

Before you start

• Verify power and network availability.
• Ensure you have mounting hardware and any required gateways or bridges.

During installation

• Mount sensors at designated locations per the placement plan.
• Connect power (PoE, hardwired, or install batteries).
• Join sensors to the network or local gateway.
• Label devices with room identifiers to simplify management.
• Test basic operation immediately after mounting.

After physical install

• Integrate sensors into the BAS or lighting control system.
• Implement control logic for lighting and HVAC setpoints based on occupancy status.

Keep installers informed about privacy policy and building rules to avoid disturbance to occupants.

Configure, calibrate, and test

Calibration and testing are critical to reliable operation and occupant acceptance.

Calibration tasks

• Set sensitivity and detection thresholds to match typical occupant movement.
• Define vacancy timeouts (how long the space must be empty before systems reduce settings).
• Create occupancy zones in software when multiple sensors cover a single room.

Testing steps

• Perform walk tests and simulated occupancy scenarios at different spots and seating arrangements.
• Verify that lights dim or switch off according to the configured vacancy timeouts.
• Confirm HVAC setback actions and DCV responses, ensuring ventilation resumes promptly when occupants return.
• Measure and document baseline energy use before activation so savings can be quantified.

Iterate settings based on teacher and occupant feedback to minimize interruptions.

Integrate with HVAC, lighting, and ventilation controls

To realize energy savings, occupancy data must control building systems through appropriate integration and control strategies.

Common control strategies

• Lighting: automatic off or dimming after vacancy timeout; occupancy-triggered on.
• HVAC setback: return to unoccupied setpoints (temperature setback) after vacancy.
• Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV): modulate fresh air based on real-time occupancy rather than fixed schedules.
• Scheduling augmentation: adjust existing schedules dynamically based on actual use to avoid unnecessary runtime.

Integration typically uses a building automation system (BAS) or lighting control panel. Many sensors support common BAS protocols to ease integration.

Deployment checklist

• Define objectives and stakeholders.
• Survey rooms and create placement plans.
• Select sensor type and ensure BAS compatibility.
• Install sensors, power, and network connections.
• Calibrate, test, and integrate with lighting/HVAC/ventilation.
• Document baseline energy use and track savings.
• Set privacy policy and data retention rules.
• Schedule routine maintenance and monitoring.

Privacy, security, and data handling

Camera-free, heat-based sensors are designed for privacy, but policies and security practices are essential.

Best practices

• Emphasize that sensors do not capture images or personally identifiable information.
• Store only anonymized occupancy metrics (presence counts, dwell times) with retention limits aligned to policy.
• Secure sensor communication using encryption and strong network access controls.
• Provide transparency: explain to staff and students what data is collected and why.

Working with legal and privacy officers up front avoids misunderstandings and supports adoption.

Maintenance and monitoring

Ongoing care keeps the system performing and ensures continuous savings.

• Periodic firmware updates and security patches.
• Battery checks for battery-powered units and replacement schedules.
• Visual inspections and cleaning to remove dust from sensor apertures.
• Review logs and occupancy reports to detect outlier behavior or sensor failures.
• Recalibrate after major room layout changes, renovations, or HVAC system alterations.

Set a maintenance schedule and assign responsibilities to facilities staff.

Measuring savings and ROI

Quantifying results validates investment and guides further rollout.

• Establish a baseline of lighting and HVAC energy use before activation.
• Track energy use after deploying occupancy control and compare to baseline using the same occupancy patterns and weather adjustments.
• Monitor occupancy-based metrics (unoccupied hours, average dwell time) to optimize control settings.
• Calculate simple payback considering equipment cost, installation, and annual energy savings. Include utility rebates where available.

Lighting savings are often immediate; HVAC and ventilation savings accrue over time.

Troubleshooting common issues

• False positives (rooms appear occupied): check placement near HVAC diffusers or heat sources and reduce sensitivity.
• False negatives (no occupancy detected): verify sensor field of view, perform recalibration, and ensure no obstructions.
• Network connectivity issues: confirm gateway health and signal strength; consider wired options for reliability.
• Unintended HVAC cycling: adjust vacancy timeouts or modify control logic to require sustained vacancy before setback.

Keep a log of issues and resolutions to speed future troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Camera-free, heat-based occupancy sensors make classrooms smarter, more efficient, and more respectful of privacy. With careful planning, correct placement, proper integration, and ongoing monitoring, schools can significantly reduce lighting and HVAC energy use, improve indoor air quality, and gain useful utilization insights — all while protecting student and staff privacy.

Start with a pilot in representative classrooms, validate savings, and scale the deployment to maximize impact.