Smart Locks for Sustainable Spaces: Implementing Sufficiency Principles to Building Management for Carbon Saving

The present work introduces a new strategy for the reduction of building energy needs through the use of smart locking systems. The alternative approach focuses on enhancing building energy efficiency and operational resource utilization, exploring their application as management systems to improve building use through strategies such as partitioning, schedule optimization, and on-demand occupancy, aligning with the evolving landscape of smart workplaces. By offering not only insights but also a test case study and detailed recommendations, this document advocates for the adoption of these systems as a strategic approach to reduce energy consumption, optimize resource allocation, and enhance overall building management across diverse settings. An LCA analysis is conducted to compare mechanical and electronic devices, as well as to evaluate the anticipated environmental impact of system production and installation. The analysis demonstrates how the initial environmental footprint, related to the system installation, can be effectively mitigated over the system's service life through the efficiencies gained from optimized building management practices.