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Humidity is an environmental condition that is often overlooked, but it is as important to facility management as temperature. This post is the first in our Know Your Environmental Threat series. It discusses how humidity monitoring is used to protect valuable assets in a variety of applications: HVAC, Greenhouses, Data Centers and Cannabis Growing Facilities.

The industrial internet of things (IIoT) uses the internet and sensors placed at critical points on mechanical equipment to send data to the cloud for limitless storage. You can access this information to control systems, monitor conditions and analyze data. Of course, this technology has revolutionized facility management. Now you can easily access data around the clock whether you are working on-site or remotely to assess real-time equipment performance. You can also review historical data to foresee malfunctions before they become complete mechanical failures.

For many years Sensaphone's remote monitoring systems have been able to connect with sensors to monitor vital environmental and operating conditions in HVAC systems. Conditions like temperature, humidity, power failure, water leaks, and equipment failure can all play a part in creating a comfortable environment. Using an environmental monitoring system allows users to remotely view their monitored conditions and receive alarms via the built-in autodialers. 

Now we also offer sensors that can measure airflow in ductwork, differential pressure in ducts and rooms, and dew point. All of these sensors can be used with any..

The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened our awareness of indoor air quality in public places, especially educational facilities. HVAC systems are essential to keeping clean air flowing safely throughout the buildings. Around-the-clock remote monitoring plays an important role in ensuring the HVAC units are operating properly. 

In addition, educational facility personnel can use remote monitoring systems to keep watch on other key areas, such as food refrigerators, laboratory freezers and research lab clean rooms. Advanced monitoring systems can even automatically store data and generate reports to demonstrate internal..

Systems for collecting wastewater and stormwater are complex. They use a series of downstream pipes, pumps, and controls to prevent wastewater from entering our fresh water ponds, lakes, rivers and streams.

In addition to cyber threats, data center personnel have to be aware of physical dangers that can damage equipment and shut down operations. An important environmental hazard to watch out for is humidity.

That’s a question we’re asked frequently at trade shows and industry events. We typically try to tailor our answer according to each customer’s specific situation, but this blog provides a general explanation.

Remote monitoring technology can bring to mind watching for unauthorized access, securing data centers and safeguarding vacation homes, but there are dozens of potential applications. These include keeping tabs on animals in zoos. Livestock. Plants in greenhouses. HVAC equipment. Docked boats. Grapevines in a vineyard. Vaccines. Food products. Pharmaceuticals. Oil wells. Most organizations can benefit from implementing remote monitoring systems, and consumers and the environment will be the ultimate winners.