There are a plethora of challenges regarding managing any building, from schools to offices to community centers. Lighting, HVAC, security, water systems, and appliances all need to work reliably and efficiently. But in reality, many buildings still use manual processes, disconnected systems as well as outdated infrastructure. Here comes the solution in the form of smart building technology. Wireless sensors, automation, and centralized dashboards can now bring older facilities into the 21st century without construction or downtime. Facilities managers gain real-time insights and remote control over every corner of their building.
Let's take a look at the benefits of smart automation in buildings and consider an example of how ROOMSYS helped one high-traffic community center overcome long-standing challenges.
Why buildings need smarter systems today
It is often the case that older buildings face similar issues in regard with building energy efficiency. These may be inconsistent heating and cooling, high energy bills, safety concerns, and a lack of visibility into how spaces are being utilized. These problems get worse over time as equipment ages and occupancy increases. For many facility managers, the most significant barrier to improvement is the perceived cost and complexity of modernization. This is where smart wireless systems come in. Through utilizing battery-powered, easy-to-install sensors and cloud-based software, facilities can implement modern control and monitoring systems without requiring renovations. Some of the most significant benefits include:
- Energy savings through scheduled lighting, HVAC, and outlet controls;
- Safety improvements with real-time leak and security alerts;
- Operational visibility into how spaces and equipment are used;
- Reduced maintenance costs through proactive issue detection;
- And best of all: these upgrades can happen while your building stays open.
The challenge: a community center struggles with manual building management
The community center was an ideal candidate for smart automation. This is a four-story building that serves hundreds of people weekly. It hosts classes, services, community events, and administrative work, all under one roof. The layout includes:
- Large gathering areas like a main sanctuary, gallery, and lobby;
- Classrooms and offices with varying schedules;
- Kitchens and storage rooms with temperature-sensitive appliances;
- Bathrooms and the mechanical areas, prone to water leaks.
Despite being a central hub for activity, the building had no integrated controls. Each space was managed manually. So, this resulted in widespread inefficiencies:
- Lights left on in empty rooms overnight;
- HVAC systems running at full power with no occupants;
- Staff spending hours walking the building for checks;
- Doors left open, risking HVAC loss and security breaches;
- No alerts for leaks or equipment malfunctions;
- No data to understand energy usage or optimize performance.
These are common problems in facilities that haven’t adopted smart controls. The center needed a solution, but one that didn’t disrupt its daily schedule or require construction.
The solution: ROOMSYS wireless automation in action
ROOMSYS deployed a suite of wireless sensors and smart devices specifically designed for retrofitting existing buildings. Installation was quick and non-disruptive with no rewiring, no downtime, and no need to cancel classes or events.
Smart lighting & real-time monitoring
To eliminate waste from forgotten lights, ROOMSYS installed 30 Milesight WS50x light switch sensors throughout the building. These devices allowed remote control of lighting and also tracked real-time and historical energy use per switch. Staff quickly identified lighting hotspots, such as the Sanctuary, which consumed over 600 kWh in a single month. Using ROOMSYS's app, they created lighting schedules aligned with the building's actual use patterns. Lights were programmed to switch on during weekday hours and automatically switch off after closing.
Outcome: Up to 20% in energy savings through optimized lighting management.
Smart outlets & device scheduling
Appliances such as refrigerators, hot plates, and projectors were another source of phantom energy use. ROOMSYS addressed this by installing Codepoint Cora Wall Outlet smart plugs. These outlets allowed the team to monitor energy draw and create usage schedules. Now, projectors and kitchen devices shut off automatically when not in use. No more equipment left running overnight.
Outcome: Reduced energy bills, improved equipment safety, and more innovative appliance use.
Water leak detection in vulnerable zones
Water damage is costly and disruptive, and without detection, leaks can go unnoticed for hours or days. ROOMSYS installed Tektelic Comfort and Codepoint Cora water leak sensors in key high-risk areas, including behind toilets, under sinks, and near laundry machines. These water leak detection sensors immediately alert staff when moisture is detected, enabling quick intervention to prevent damage from spreading.
Outcome: Prevented water damage and improved risk management.
Door monitoring for security & HVAC optimization
Open doors aren't just a security concern; they also waste conditioned air and raise HVAC costs. ROOMSYS installed Cora Door Sensors on all building entrances and interior doors. These sensors track when doors open and how long they remain ajar. One revealing data point: the Main Entrance was used over 6,400 times in a single month. With ROOMSYS, staff now receive instant alerts if a door is left open for more than 15 minutes.
Outcome: Greater building security and reduced HVAC waste.
Automated thermostats for smarter climate control
With programmable thermostats from Milesight, ROOMSYS enabled zone-based heating and cooling throughout the center. Each room could be scheduled individually based on occupancy and expected usage. Temperature adjustments can be made on the fly via the app. This allowed staff to ensure comfort when rooms were in use, while minimizing heating and cooling when they weren’t.
Outcome: Consistent comfort for guests and zero HVAC waste after hours.
One unified platform: the ROOMSYS dashboard
Perhaps the most significant upgrade came in the form of ROOMSYS’s centralized dashboard. All device data, schedules, alerts, and controls are unified into a single, intuitive screen accessible from any device.
What the dashboard provides:
- Real-time energy use by room and device;
- Daily and monthly consumption summaries;
- HVAC schedules and current status;
- Switch and outlet activity;
- Door sensor logs and alerts;
- Leak detection alerts.
Staff no longer need to walk the building to check if lights are off or thermostats are adjusted. They can do it all with a few taps on their phone. Also, ROOMSYS went a step further by integrating an interactive building layout into the dashboard. Staff can click on each room in the layout – Sanctuary, Gallery, Kitchen, and more – to control lights, view sensor data, and navigate between floors. It’s not just convenient. It’s intuitive and requires no technical training.
Results: big wins without construction or disruption
In just a few months, the community center saw measurable and lasting improvements across several key areas. The building saw measurable improvements within weeks of implementation:
- Energy savings: 15–20% reduction in monthly consumption
- Time savings: No more walking the building to check systems
- Cost savings: Lower utility bills and fewer unplanned repairs
- Safety gains: Real-time alerts for open doors and leaks
- Operational insights: Data-driven decisions around scheduling and maintenance
Beyond the technical gains, staff reported a smoother day-to-day experience. They no longer had to troubleshoot building issues manually or rely on guesswork. But the challenges faced by this community center aren’t unique. Many schools, offices, community centers, and houses of worship face similar problems:
- Rising energy costs with no apparent reason
- Difficulty managing schedules and equipment use
- Limited budget or time for renovations
- A desire to modernize without disrupting operations
ROOMSYS shows that these problems are solvable – quickly and affordably. Wireless building automation allows for precise control, real-time visibility, and immediate ROI. Whether you manage three rooms or 300, the approach scales to fit your building and your needs.
Conclusion: how ROOMSYS enables smarter facility management
Upgrading your building doesn't have to mean breaking walls or blowing your budget. As the community center case shows, it’s possible to achieve modern performance using wireless, scalable tools, implemented with zero disruption. ROOMSYS empowers facility teams with control, insight, and peace of mind. From lighting and HVAC to leak detection and doors, everything is brought together in a single platform that just works. When buildings are smarter, people can focus on what matters, whether that's teaching students, running community events, or supporting a nonprofit mission.
Ready to see the difference?
Contact us today to learn how we can help you modernize your building and reduce operational overhead without construction, confusion, or downtime.
You can also find the details about the use case here.
