Workplace Occupancy Sensors: Optimizing Space Utilization

Occupancy sensor technology has advanced significantly in recent years, enabling organizations to use occupancy data to create more efficient workplaces. When combined with facility management software and building automation systems, occupancy sensors help facility managers measure, monitor, and optimize various aspects of the office environment. Sensors are not just for controlling lights—they also play a crucial role in managing energy costs and space utilization.

What are workplace occupancy sensors?

Occupancy sensors are advanced motion sensors that measure the number of people in a given area. They are part of the trend toward smart buildings and workplaces. Common technologies used in occupancy sensors include infrared, microwave, ultrasonic, and video image processing.

Understanding occupancy rates is essential for identifying underutilized space, which can be costly. For example, up to 42% of office space is underutilized, and a single desk can cost up to $14,800 a year.

What does an occupancy sensor do?

Occupancy sensors allow for granular tracking of space usage—not just at the building or floor level, but down to individual desks and rooms. To be effective, these sensors must be integrated with workplace management systems that can analyze and interpret the data for facility planning and workplace improvements.

Where are occupancy sensors used?

Sophisticated occupancy sensors are primarily used in two professional settings:

Building automation systems

Building automation systems (BAS), or building management systems (BMS), integrate major building operations such as HVAC, lighting, alarms, and energy management. Occupancy sensors in these systems can:

• ​Enhance security, especially when integrated with badge systems for access control.
• ​Control lighting and energy usage by dimming lights or adjusting HVAC when spaces are unoccupied, leading to significant energy savings.
• ​Inform cleaning teams about when common areas need attention based on actual usage.

Workplace management systems

When integrated with workplace experience software, occupancy sensors provide real-time data on how spaces are used. This data helps facilities teams understand which desks, rooms, and areas are being utilized and for how long. Such insights are invaluable for implementing flexible workplace strategies like agile working, free addressing, activity-based working, and office neighborhoods.

Good workplace analytics, supported by occupancy sensors, enable organizations to optimize office layouts, address underused spaces, and ensure compliance with social distancing requirements.

What are the advantages of an occupancy sensor?

The primary advantages of occupancy sensors include:

• ​Energy efficiency: According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), occupancy sensors can reduce energy waste by up to 68% and increase energy savings by as much as 60%.
• ​Workplace optimization: Sensors provide data that helps create more efficient workplaces and improve real estate portfolio management.
• ​Automated booking: Integration with desk and room booking systems allows for automatic updates to the pool of available spaces based on occupancy.

Optimizing space management with occupancy sensors

Occupancy sensors inform space management best practices by providing data on actual space usage. This enables organizations to design offices that enhance employee experience and productivity.

The importance of occupancy sensors for offices

Occupancy means different things to different stakeholders, but employee experience and cost control are always important. An adaptive strategy for strategic space management should include occupancy sensors, whether retrofitting an entire office or making incremental improvements.

More occupancy sensor FAQs

What is the difference between a motion sensor and an occupancy sensor?

Motion sensors detect movement, while occupancy sensors use more advanced technologies (like ultrasonic sensors and passive infrared light) to determine if people are present in a space.

What are the 3 types of occupancy sensors?

• ​PIR sensors (passive infrared): Detect heat energy.
• ​Ultrasonic sensors: Emit high-frequency sound waves and measure their return.
• ​Time of flight sensors: Use infrared light to detect presence.

Other types include microwave sensors (emit microwaves to detect people) and acoustic sensors (measure noise). Many modern sensors combine multiple technologies for reliability.

How much money do occupancy sensors save?

Occupancy sensors can help companies reduce energy costs by up to 60%. Optimizing real estate portfolios with sensor data can lead to even greater savings.

Do occupancy sensors save energy?

Yes. Their primary function is to save energy, with potential reductions in energy waste of up to 68%. Sensors themselves are typically low voltage and consume minimal energy.

Do occupancy sensors have cameras?

Some occupancy sensors include cameras, especially for security applications.

Are there security or privacy concerns when using occupancy sensors?

Organizations should implement data protection policies to ensure only anonymous data is collected. Secure internet and Wi-Fi are also essential.

How do you install occupancy sensors?

Occupancy sensors are small and can be mounted on fixtures, walls, switches, or ceilings. Installation may be outsourced if not handled by the building's facilities team.

How much does it cost to install occupancy sensors?

Costs vary based on technology type and coverage area. Dual-technology sensors are generally more expensive than basic PIR sensors.

Does OfficeSpace Software integrate with occupancy sensors?

OfficeSpace features are designed to integrate securely with various systems and sensors, including VergeSense and SenzoLive.