'The market is ready for it; now the installers'

Electronic pressure independent control

Dynamic control of building-related installations has taken off in recent years. Especially in the field of climate installations. This requires not only advanced products, but also specific knowledge of installers, technical consultants and system integrators. To get and keep this knowledge up to date, Belimo provides specialized training. Both in its own knowledge center in Vaassen and on site at the installer. This way the threshold to start working with dynamic control is lowered as much as possible.

While the Netherlands is working hard to meet its climate targets, too few young people are choosing to study installation technology. "Moreover, of the young people who do opt for a technical education, only a small proportion go on to measurement and control technology," says Richard Daamen, Managing Director at Belimo. "This creates major challenges in the market. Especially now that the techniques for measuring and controlling installations are becoming increasingly innovative and dynamic."

From static to dynamic

"Whereas until a few years ago pressure-compensated valves in particular were used, today flow components are mostly used," says Daamen. "Of course pressure and flow have a relationship, but it does require specialist knowledge that not everyone has (yet). Especially the established generation of technicians is used to the traditional way of adjustment. For them it is sometimes difficult to make the switch from static to dynamic installations. Also because the time to study this is often lacking. By also offering our specialist training courses on location, we are jumping into this gap and building a bridge between (continuing) education and practice."

Main topics

"The training sessions start with a brief introduction to Belimo," Daamen says. "Then we move on very quickly to pressure-dependent control, which most trainees do recognize. This gives us immediate attention. Next on the agenda are mechanical pressure independent and electronic pressure independent control, after which we arrive at our flagship product: the Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2 with dynamic differential pressure control, which is currently very popular in so-called RetroFIT+ projects. We explain what the low Delta-T syndrome is and conclude with a short summary, taking trainees from a static to a dynamically controlled system as well as explaining the main advantages."

To ensure that installers actually master electronic pressure independent control, the bulk of the training is hands-on. "We have extensive demo kits at our disposal," says Daamen. "Moreover, at some locations, waterrigs with various practical situations are available on which installers can practice freely. This allows them to see, feel and experience the benefits of electronic pressure independent control in detail. The response has been exclusively positive. We regularly receive requests for repeat training sessions, which other colleagues can also join."

Now is the time to take action!

"By now, the market can hardly ignore electronic pressure-independent control," he emphasizes. "As of 2026, buildings with a rated output of more than 290 kW must be equipped with building automation and control systems (GACS) that meet a number of requirements with regard to monitoring, recording, analysis and adjustability, benchmarking and feedback, communication and interoperability. Electronic measurement is necessary in that case. We like to prepare the market for this. Both with our training courses and with our products, of which the Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2 is an excellent example."

Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2

The Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2 combines numerous useful functionalities in one unit, including certified energy measurement (MID), electronic pressure independent control, a Delta-T manager and IoT-based billing. "Thanks to the intelligence of the control device, data such as supply and return temperature, flow, glycol content, power, energy consumption and differential pressure can be read into the building management system via common bus protocols or the Cloud," Daamen said. "For example, for remote monitoring and control, allowing even more optimization and (energy) efficient air conditioning." Also unique is the dynamic differential pressure control. "The unit can measure, (in)control, keep the differential pressure dynamically constant and monitor energy consumption. Also, the valve 100% is closing. This makes the Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2 ideally suited for existing buildings in which the HVAC systems are outdated."

Easy and fast to energy label C

Following its installer training courses, Belimo is happy to advise owners and facility managers with outdated HVAC installations on how to optimize their installations. For example, in view of the energy label C requirement. "Our technical advice manager analyzes the installation and gives tips for improvement," says Daamen. "In many cases, a Belimo Energy Valve™ 4.2 is placed in the installation to gain insight into the energy flows. In 9 out of 10 situations, we can then achieve gigantic energy savings with simple adjustments." As an example, he cites the replacement of defective or poorly closing valves, allowing savings of 30 to as much as 65%.