Energy-saving heating and ventilation system for building
By integrating modules such as solar photovoltaic/solar thermal, air source heat pump, and ground source heat pump with AI control, the problem of low energy efficiency and energy waste in traditional HVAC systems under extreme climates has been solved, achieving energy complementarity and optimized utilization, and ensuring comfort and energy efficiency within the building.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-03-24
AI Technical Summary
Traditional HVAC systems are inefficient and have high heat loss, resulting in significant energy waste under extreme weather conditions. Intelligent control lacks overall system optimization, and inaccurate load forecasting leads to delayed regulation or excessive energy saving, affecting comfort.
It adopts integrated solar photovoltaic/photothermal modules, air source heat pump modules, ground source heat pump modules, cascade heat recovery modules, high-efficiency energy storage modules, multi-source energy management modules, and AI control modules. It combines multiple energy sources for comprehensive scheduling and optimization, and uses AI to dynamically adjust the equipment's operating status to achieve efficient energy utilization and comfortable control.
It achieves multi-source energy complementarity, improves system energy efficiency, reduces operating costs, and ensures a balance between indoor environmental comfort and energy efficiency.
Smart Images

Figure CN121720173A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of building technology, specifically to an energy-saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for buildings. Background Technology
[0002] With the continued growth of global energy consumption and the increasingly severe carbon emission problem, the need for energy conservation in the building industry is becoming increasingly urgent. Statistics show that buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption, with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems accounting for over 50% of that. Traditional HVAC systems generally rely on fossil fuels, resulting in low energy efficiency, significant heat loss, and high operating costs. Energy waste is particularly pronounced under extreme weather conditions. Data indicates that approximately 30% of global carbon emissions are related to building operations, with HVAC systems comprising a significant portion.
[0003] To reduce the energy consumption of HVAC systems, existing technologies mainly employ the following methods: Variable frequency technology and high-efficiency compressors: Variable frequency air conditioners adapt to load changes by adjusting the compressor speed, which can save 20%-30% energy compared to fixed frequency air conditioners. However, under extreme climatic conditions, such as extremely cold or hot weather, the energy efficiency of the variable frequency system will still drop significantly. Moreover, only the compressor part is optimized, and the heat recovery and energy cascade utilization of the entire system are not solved.
[0004] Heat pump technology (air source / ground source / water source): Heat pump systems utilize ambient heat energy for heating or cooling, with an energy efficiency ratio of 3-5. However, ground source heat pumps depend on geological conditions and have a high initial investment. Air source heat pumps have reduced heating efficiency in low-temperature environments and require electric auxiliary heating, increasing energy consumption.
[0005] Heat recovery technology: Some systems employ heat recovery devices, such as total heat exchangers and condensation heat recovery, but these suffer from problems such as low recovery rates and limited applicability. For example, exhaust heat recovery works well in winter, but may not be fully utilized during transitional seasons.
[0006] Intelligent control technology: In recent years, IoT and AI technologies have been introduced into HVAC systems, but most intelligent controls only target single devices, such as air conditioning terminals, and fail to achieve coordinated optimization of the entire system; moreover, they lack accurate load prediction algorithms, resulting in lagging regulation or excessive energy saving that affects comfort. Summary of the Invention
[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an energy-saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for buildings to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.
[0008] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following technical solution: an energy-saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for buildings, comprising: Solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated module: responsible for collecting solar energy and converting it into electrical energy (photovoltaic) or thermal energy (photothermal), providing clean energy for the system; Air source heat pump module: responsible for absorbing heat from the air for heating or providing hot water in mild and low temperature environments; Ground source heat pump module: responsible for using the stable temperature of underground soil or water to provide heating or cooling, thereby improving energy efficiency; Cascade heat recovery module: responsible for maximizing the recovery of waste heat generated by the system, used for preheating fresh air or providing hot water, etc.; High-efficiency energy storage module: responsible for storing excess energy and releasing it during peak demand or when energy supply is insufficient to balance the system load; Multi-source energy management module: responsible for the comprehensive management of various energy sources such as solar energy, air source heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps, integrating the operation data and status information of various energy devices, and performing unified scheduling and optimization; AI control module: Responsible for automatically adjusting the system operation mode based on real-time environmental data and load forecasts to achieve optimal energy allocation and utilization; Monitoring and Adjustment Module: Responsible for real-time monitoring of indoor and outdoor environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, providing data support for the AI control module, and automatically adjusting indoor environmental parameters according to preset environmental comfort ranges and instructions from the AI control module.
[0009] Furthermore, the solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated module achieves solar energy collection and conversion by installing solar photovoltaic panels and photothermal collectors. The photovoltaic panels generate electricity for system use or grid connection (excess electricity is fed into the grid), and the photothermal collectors heat water or air for heating or hot water supply.
[0010] Furthermore, the air source heat pump module adopts a high-efficiency air source heat pump unit, which realizes the transfer of heat from low-temperature air to high-temperature medium through the reverse Carnot cycle principle, thereby improving energy utilization efficiency. The operating strategy of the air source heat pump is as follows: the heat pump operating frequency is automatically adjusted according to the outdoor temperature and system load (the control unit built into the heat pump unit automatically adjusts the compressor operating frequency according to the collected data). When the outdoor temperature is high and the system load is low, the operating frequency is reduced to reduce energy consumption; when the outdoor temperature is low and the system load is high, the operating frequency is increased to meet heating or cooling needs.
[0011] Furthermore, the ground source heat pump module achieves heat exchange between the heat pump unit and the underground heat source by burying a ground pipe heat exchanger, providing a stable source of heat and cold for the building, and automatically selects the operating mode of the ground source heat pump according to geological conditions and system requirements.
[0012] Furthermore, the operating modes are divided into heating mode, cooling mode, and hybrid mode, as detailed below: Heating mode: During the heating season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is higher than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically selects the heating mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs heat from the ground, raises the low-temperature heat energy to high-temperature heat energy through the reverse Carnot cycle principle, and transfers it to the room for heating. Cooling mode: During the cooling season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is lower than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically switches to cooling mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs heat from the room and transfers it to the ground to achieve indoor cooling. Hybrid Mode: During transitional seasons or when system load changes significantly, the ground source heat pump module selects hybrid mode. In this mode, the heat pump unit provides heating or cooling based on actual needs, while working in conjunction with other energy modules (solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated modules, air source heat pump modules) to meet the overall needs of the system.
[0013] Furthermore, the cascade heat recovery module utilizes high-efficiency heat exchangers (such as plate heat exchangers and shell-and-tube heat exchangers) and energy storage devices (such as hot water tanks and phase change material heat storage devices) to achieve cascade utilization of heat, thereby improving energy efficiency. The execution logic is as follows: based on the system operating status and the amount of waste heat generated, the operating status of the heat exchangers and the charging and discharging process of the energy storage device are automatically adjusted. During peak waste heat generation, waste heat is preferentially used to preheat fresh air or provide hot water; during off-peak waste heat generation, excess waste heat is stored in the energy storage device for subsequent use.
[0014] Furthermore, the high-efficiency energy storage module adopts sensible heat storage (such as a hot water tank), latent heat storage (such as phase change materials), or chemical energy storage technology to achieve efficient energy storage and release. The execution logic is as follows: based on the system's energy supply and demand forecast and real-time data, the charging and discharging process of the energy storage device is automatically adjusted. When the energy supply is sufficient, excess energy is stored in the energy storage device; when the energy supply is insufficient or the demand is high, the stored energy is released to meet the system's needs.
[0015] Furthermore, the AI control module utilizes an LSTM-based load forecasting algorithm to predict future energy consumption load, and combines it with a reinforcement learning-based dynamic optimization algorithm to generate an optimal energy allocation strategy, automatically adjusting the equipment's operating status and parameter settings.
[0016] Furthermore, the monitoring and adjustment module monitors environmental parameters by deploying various environmental sensors and transmits the data to the central control system using wireless communication technology for adjustment and control. That is, when the indoor environmental parameters exceed the comfort range, the operating status and parameter settings of the equipment are immediately adjusted.
[0017] Furthermore, the monitoring and control module specifically deploys the following sensors: Temperature and humidity sensor: used to monitor indoor temperature and humidity; CO2 concentration sensor: used to monitor indoor CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration; Air quality sensor: used to monitor indoor air quality indicators such as PM2.5 and VOCs (volatile organic compounds); Light sensor: used to monitor indoor and outdoor light intensity; Wind speed / direction sensor: Used to monitor outdoor wind speed and direction.
[0018] This invention provides an energy-saving HVAC system for buildings, which has the following beneficial effects: 1. Multi-source coupled energy supply to achieve energy complementarity: This system combines solar photovoltaic / photothermal, air source heat pump and ground source heat pump to form a multi-source coupled energy supply system, which makes full use of the unique advantages of various energy sources. Through the comprehensive scheduling of the multi-source energy management module, the system can automatically switch or combine different energy sources according to actual needs and environmental conditions, realizing the complementarity and optimized utilization of energy sources, thereby significantly improving the overall energy efficiency and stability of the system.
[0019] 2. Cascaded Heat Recovery Technology for Maximized Energy Utilization: This system's cascaded heat recovery module utilizes high-efficiency heat exchangers and energy storage devices to maximize the recovery and utilization of waste heat generated during system operation. This module automatically adjusts the heat exchanger's operating status and the energy storage device's charging and discharging process based on the system's operating status and waste heat generation. During peak waste heat generation, waste heat is prioritized for preheating fresh air or providing hot water, reducing energy waste. During off-peak waste heat generation, excess waste heat is stored for later use. This not only improves energy utilization efficiency but also effectively reduces system operating costs.
[0020] 3. AI Dynamic Optimization Control Ensures a Balance Between Comfort and Energy Efficiency: This system utilizes an LSTM-based load forecasting algorithm and a reinforcement learning-based dynamic optimization algorithm to automatically adjust and optimize the system's operating mode. The AI control module generates the optimal energy allocation strategy based on real-time environmental data and load forecast results, and automatically adjusts the operating status and parameter settings of the equipment. This not only ensures indoor environmental comfort but also effectively avoids excessive energy consumption and waste, enabling the system to meet user needs while achieving efficient energy utilization and energy conservation and emission reduction goals. Attached Figure Description
[0021] Figure 1 This is a logic block diagram of an energy-saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for buildings according to the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.
[0023] like Figure 1 As shown, an energy-saving HVAC system for buildings includes: a solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated module, an air source heat pump module, a ground source heat pump module, a cascade heat recovery module, a high-efficiency energy storage module, a multi-source energy management module, an AI control module, and a monitoring and regulation module.
[0024] Solar photovoltaic / solar thermal integrated modules: These modules collect solar energy and convert it into electricity (photovoltaics) or heat (solar thermal), providing clean energy for the system. By installing solar photovoltaic panels and solar thermal collectors, the module achieves solar energy collection and conversion. The photovoltaic panels generate electricity for system use or grid connection (excess electricity is fed into the grid), while the solar thermal collectors heat water or air for heating or hot water supply. In practical applications, the angle and operating status of the photovoltaic panels and collectors are automatically adjusted according to the solar radiation intensity and system requirements. When there is sufficient sunlight, priority is given to meeting the internal needs of the system, and excess electricity is stored or connected to the grid. When there is insufficient sunlight, the angle of the collectors is adjusted to maximize solar energy absorption, ensuring the stability of the heat supply.
[0025] Air source heat pump module: In mild and low-temperature environments, it absorbs heat from the air for heating or hot water supply. This module uses a high-efficiency air source heat pump unit, which transfers heat from low-temperature air to a high-temperature medium through the reverse Carnot cycle principle, improving energy efficiency. The operating strategy of the air source heat pump is as follows: It automatically adjusts the heat pump operating frequency according to the outdoor temperature and system load (the control unit built into the heat pump unit automatically adjusts the compressor operating frequency based on the collected data). When the outdoor temperature is high and the system load is low, the operating frequency is reduced to reduce energy consumption; when the outdoor temperature is low and the system load is high, the operating frequency is increased to meet heating or cooling needs.
[0026] Ground source heat pump module (optional, determined by geological conditions): Utilizes the stable temperature of underground soil or water for heating or cooling, improving energy efficiency. This module achieves heat exchange between the heat pump unit and the underground heat source through buried pipe heat exchangers, providing a stable source of heat and cold for the building. It automatically selects the operating mode of the ground source heat pump based on geological conditions and system requirements. The operating modes include heating mode, cooling mode, and a hybrid mode, as detailed below: Heating mode: During the heating season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is higher than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically selects the heating mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs heat from the ground, raises the low-temperature heat energy to high-temperature heat energy through the reverse Carnot cycle principle, and transfers it to the room for heating.
[0027] Cooling mode: During the cooling season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is lower than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically switches to cooling mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs the heat from the room and transfers it to the ground to achieve indoor cooling.
[0028] Hybrid Mode: During transitional seasons or when system load changes significantly, the ground source heat pump module selects hybrid mode. In this mode, the heat pump unit provides heating or cooling based on actual needs, while working in conjunction with other energy modules (solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated modules, air source heat pump modules) to meet the overall needs of the system.
[0029] Cascaded heat recovery module: Maximizes the recovery of waste heat generated by the system for preheating fresh air or providing hot water. This module achieves cascaded utilization of heat through high-efficiency heat exchangers (such as plate heat exchangers and shell-and-tube heat exchangers) and energy storage devices (such as hot water tanks and phase change material thermal storage devices), improving energy efficiency. The execution logic is as follows: Based on the system operating status and waste heat generation, the module automatically adjusts the operating status of the heat exchangers and the charging and discharging process of the energy storage device. During peak waste heat generation, waste heat is prioritized for preheating fresh air or providing hot water; during off-peak waste heat generation, excess waste heat is stored in the energy storage device for later use.
[0030] High-efficiency energy storage module: Stores excess energy and releases it during peak demand periods or when energy supply is insufficient to balance system load. This module employs sensible heat storage (such as hot water tanks), latent heat storage (such as phase change materials), or chemical energy storage technologies to achieve efficient energy storage and release. The execution logic is as follows: Based on system energy supply and demand forecasts and real-time data, it automatically adjusts the charging and discharging process of the energy storage device. When energy supply is sufficient, excess energy is stored in the energy storage device; when energy supply is insufficient or demand is high, the stored energy is released to meet system needs.
[0031] Multi-source energy management module: Comprehensively manages various energy sources such as solar energy, air source heat pumps, and ground source heat pumps, integrates the operation data and status information of various energy devices, and performs unified scheduling and optimization.
[0032] AI Control Module: Based on real-time environmental data and load forecasting, this module automatically adjusts the system's operating mode to achieve optimal energy allocation and utilization. It utilizes an LSTM-based load forecasting algorithm to predict future energy load and combines this with a reinforcement learning-based dynamic optimization algorithm to generate the optimal energy allocation strategy, automatically adjusting equipment operating status and parameter settings.
[0033] 1) The forecasting process of the LSTM-based load forecasting algorithm: Data collection: Collect energy consumption data (such as electricity and heat consumption) of the building over a period of time, as well as data on environmental factors that may affect energy consumption (such as indoor and outdoor temperature, humidity, light intensity, etc.).
[0034] Data preprocessing: The collected data is cleaned, normalized, and divided into training and test sets.
[0035] Model training: Train the LSTM model using the training set data, and adjust network parameters (such as the number of layers, number of neurons, learning rate, etc.) to optimize prediction performance.
[0036] Load forecasting: Using a trained LSTM model and inputting current and historical environmental data, predict the building energy load for a future period of time (such as the next 24 hours).
[0037] 2) Optimization process of dynamic optimization algorithm based on reinforcement learning: State definition: Define the system's state space, including the current time, indoor and outdoor environmental parameters (temperature, humidity, etc.), equipment operating status, energy consumption prediction results, etc.
[0038] Action space: Defines the set of actions that the system can take, such as adjusting the operating frequency of the air source heat pump, switching the working mode of the ground source heat pump, and adjusting the working status of the heat exchanger of the cascade heat recovery module.
[0039] Reward function: Design a reward function to quantify the impact of different actions on system performance, such as positive rewards for reduced energy consumption and negative rewards for decreased comfort.
[0040] Policy learning: Using reinforcement learning algorithms (such as Q-learning, Deep Q Network, DQN, etc.) to learn the optimal policy in simulated or real-world environments, that is, the optimal action to be taken in different states.
[0041] 3) Automatic adjustment: Based on the generated optimal energy allocation strategy, the system automatically adjusts the operating status and parameter settings of the equipment. For example, when an increase in future energy consumption is predicted, the operating frequency of the heat pump is adjusted in advance to increase heating or cooling capacity; when energy supply is sufficient, excess energy is stored in energy storage devices; and during peak demand periods or when energy supply is insufficient, the stored energy is released to meet system needs. Through these automatic adjustment measures, the system can achieve a balance between high energy efficiency and comfortable environmental control.
[0042] Monitoring and Adjustment Module: This module monitors indoor and outdoor environmental parameters in real time, including temperature, humidity, and air quality, providing data support for the AI control module. Based on preset comfort ranges and instructions from the AI control module, it automatically adjusts indoor environmental parameters. This module utilizes multiple environmental sensors to monitor environmental parameters and transmits the data to the central control system via wireless communication technology for adjustment and control. Specifically, when indoor environmental parameters exceed the comfort range, it immediately adjusts the equipment's operating status and parameter settings. The following sensors are specifically deployed: Temperature and humidity sensor: used to monitor indoor temperature and humidity; CO2 concentration sensor: used to monitor indoor CO2 (carbon dioxide) concentration; Air quality sensor: used to monitor indoor air quality indicators such as PM2.5 and VOCs (volatile organic compounds); Light sensor: used to monitor indoor and outdoor light intensity; Wind speed / direction sensor: Used to monitor outdoor wind speed and direction.
[0043] The embodiments of the present invention are given for illustrative and descriptive purposes only, and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to better illustrate the principles and practical application of the invention, and to enable those skilled in the art to understand the invention and to design various embodiments with various modifications suitable for a particular purpose.
Claims
1. An energy-saving heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system for buildings, characterized in that, include: Solar photovoltaic / solar thermal integrated modules: responsible for collecting solar energy and converting it into electrical or thermal energy; Air source heat pump module: responsible for absorbing heat from the air for heating or providing hot water in mild and low temperature environments; Ground source heat pump module: responsible for using the stable temperature of underground soil or water for heating or cooling; Cascade heat recovery module: responsible for maximizing the recovery of waste heat generated by the system, used for preheating fresh air or providing hot water; High-efficiency energy storage module: responsible for storing excess energy and releasing it during peak demand or when energy supply is insufficient to balance the system load; Multi-source energy management module: responsible for the comprehensive management of solar energy, air source heat pump, and ground source heat pump energy, integrating the operation data and status information of various energy devices, and performing unified scheduling and optimization; AI control module: Responsible for automatically adjusting the system operation mode based on real-time environmental data and load forecasts to achieve optimal energy allocation and utilization; Monitoring and Adjustment Module: Responsible for real-time monitoring of indoor and outdoor environmental parameters, providing data support for the AI control module, and automatically adjusting indoor environmental parameters according to the preset environmental comfort range and the instructions of the AI control module.
2. The energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The solar photovoltaic / photothermal integrated module collects and converts solar energy by installing solar photovoltaic panels and photothermal collectors. The photovoltaic panels generate electricity for the system to use or for grid connection, while the photothermal collectors heat water or air for heating or hot water supply.
3. The energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air source heat pump module adopts a high-efficiency air source heat pump unit, which realizes the transfer of heat from low temperature air to high temperature medium through the reverse Carnot cycle principle. The operating strategy of the air source heat pump is as follows: the heat pump operating frequency is automatically adjusted according to the outdoor temperature and system load. When the outdoor temperature is high and the system load is low, the operating frequency is reduced to reduce energy consumption; when the outdoor temperature is low and the system load is high, the operating frequency is increased to meet the heating or cooling demand.
4. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ground source heat pump module achieves heat exchange between the heat pump unit and the underground heat source by burying a ground pipe heat exchanger, and automatically selects the operating mode of the ground source heat pump according to geological conditions and system requirements.
5. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 4, characterized in that, The operating modes are divided into heating mode, cooling mode, and hybrid mode, as detailed below: Heating mode: During the heating season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is higher than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically selects the heating mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs heat from the ground, raises the low-temperature heat energy to high-temperature heat energy through the reverse Carnot cycle principle, and transfers it to the room for heating. Cooling mode: During the cooling season, when the temperature of the underground soil or water is lower than the indoor set temperature, the ground source heat pump module automatically switches to cooling mode; in this mode, the heat pump unit absorbs heat from the room and transfers it to the ground to achieve indoor cooling. Hybrid mode: During transitional seasons or when the system load changes significantly, the ground source heat pump module selects hybrid mode. In this mode, the heat pump unit provides heating or cooling according to actual needs, while working in conjunction with other energy modules.
6. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cascade heat recovery module achieves cascade utilization of heat through a high-efficiency heat exchanger and an energy storage device. The execution logic is as follows: based on the system operating status and the amount of waste heat generated, the working status of the heat exchanger and the heat charging and discharging process of the energy storage device are automatically adjusted. During peak waste heat generation, the waste heat is preferentially used to preheat fresh air or provide hot water; during trough waste heat generation, the excess waste heat is stored in the energy storage device for subsequent use.
7. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-efficiency energy storage module adopts sensible heat storage, latent heat storage, or chemical energy storage technology to achieve efficient energy storage and release. The execution logic is as follows: based on the system's energy supply and demand forecast and real-time data, the charging and discharging process of the energy storage device is automatically adjusted. When the energy supply is sufficient, excess energy is stored in the energy storage device; when the energy supply is insufficient or the demand is high, the stored energy is released to meet the system's needs.
8. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The AI control module uses an LSTM-based load forecasting algorithm to predict future energy load, and combines it with a reinforcement learning-based dynamic optimization algorithm to generate the optimal energy allocation strategy and automatically adjust the equipment operating status and parameter settings.
9. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The monitoring and adjustment module monitors environmental parameters by deploying environmental sensors and transmits the data to the central control system using wireless communication technology for adjustment and control. That is, when the indoor environmental parameters exceed the comfort range, the operating status and parameter settings of the equipment are immediately adjusted.
10. An energy-saving HVAC system for buildings according to claim 9, characterized in that, The monitoring and control module specifically deploys the following sensors: Temperature and humidity sensor: used to monitor indoor temperature and humidity; CO2 concentration sensor: used to monitor indoor CO2 concentration; Air quality sensor: used to monitor PM2.5 and VOCs indoors; Light sensor: used to monitor indoor and outdoor light intensity; Wind speed / direction sensor: Used to monitor outdoor wind speed and direction.