How innovative climate control solutions can improve efficiency and deliver better aged care

Temperature control in aged care facilities goes beyond delivering comfort – it directly affects resident health, staff performance, and operational costs.

Data shows that people over the age of 65 are more vulnerable to extreme temperatures, increasing the risk of heat stress, hypothermia/hyperthermia, and respiratory issues. At the same time, staff rely on stable indoor conditions to stay focused and productive, as temperature fluctuations can lead to increased fatigue, discomfort, and distractions, making it harder to provide quality care.

On the one hand, excessive heat can lead to dehydration and reduced concentration for staff, while cold environments may cause stiffness and discomfort during long shifts. Maintaining a consistent and comfortable temperature becomes a challenge when systems are outdated.

Modern solutions

Smart climate control solutions can solve some of these challenges for providers by creating stable indoor environments and reducing energy waste. Automated heating and cooling systems respond in real time to occupancy, outdoor conditions, and energy demand, adjusting temperatures as needed.

Building-management systems centralise control, giving aged care providers direct access to climate settings for greater efficiency. At the same time, zoned climate control fine-tunes temperatures in different areas, keeping residents comfortable while optimising energy use.

Air quality is just as important as temperature, and poor ventilation lets airborne contaminants build up, increasing the risk of respiratory issues. Smart climate control solutions can use sensors to track air quality. The system can react based on this data, activating fans to introduce fresh air, reducing health risks.

Maintaining consistent temperatures also helps residents feel more comfortable, reduces stress, and improves sleep, which can support overall well-being.

Investing in smarter climate solutions in aged care facilities creates safer, healthier spaces for both residents and staff.

Facility design

Facility design plays a critical role in climate efficiency.

Centralised air conditioning systems can be integrated into aged care buildings seamlessly to provide reliable temperature control. Many components are tucked away in ceiling spaces, keeping infrastructure out of sight while maintaining efficient performance.

Tailored options are available, such as local controllers in each room and/or central controllers that manage floors, zones or sites. Further flexibility can be introduced using cloud-based control systems with web dashboards which can also be controlled remotely.

Additionally, well-planned systems reduce noise, optimise energy use, and simplify maintenance, enhancing the overall environment for residents and staff alike.

Some facilities need more flexibility to accommodate different temperature preferences. Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems manage heating and cooling across multiple zones, adjusting temperatures in separate rooms at the same time so residents get the comfort they need without unnecessary energy consumption.

Smart automation takes efficiency further through occupancy sensors that can detect when rooms are empty, or window sensors to detect windows left open, which prevent the system from working harder than necessary.

Automation reduce energy costs, improve efficiency, enhance air quality, and create safer, more comfortable spaces for residents. Smart climate control also reduces strain on staff, lowers operational expenses, and supports sustainability efforts.  

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