System and method for building cooling optimization using periodic building fuel consumption with the aid of a digital computer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating building HVAC energy consumption are costly, time-consuming, and invasive, and often result in inaccurate calculations due to the need for detailed energy audits and complex equations that are sensitive to measurement errors and data assumptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method using a digital computer to calculate building heating and cooling fuel consumption by empirically measuring thermal conductivity and HVAC system efficiency through short duration tests, allowing for the simulation of indoor temperature and fuel consumption data, thereby simplifying the calculation of annual or periodic fuel requirements without the need for intrusive testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional energy audit methods are used to estimate HVAC energy consumption, then measurement precision may be improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential measurement function from the complex conventional energy audit process. Instead of performing comprehensive on-site measurements of building envelope properties, the system uses a simplified model that relies on readily available utility billing data and weather data to calculate thermal conductivity and HVAC energy consumption, thereby eliminating time-consuming field measurements while maintaining sufficient accuracy for energy optimization decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the building's thermal performance characteristics through computer simulation. Rather than physically measuring and analyzing the building envelope, the system replicates the building's heating and cooling load behavior using mathematical models driven by utility bill data and weather data, enabling accurate energy consumption estimation without intrusive physical testing
2Measurement precision
If detailed energy audits are performed to improve measurement precision, then accuracy may be improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the building energy analysis system to serve itself by automatically collecting and processing readily available data from utility bills and weather sources. The computer system autonomously calculates thermal conductivity, determines HVAC energy consumption, and generates optimization recommendations without requiring skilled energy auditors to perform on-site measurements or complex manual calculations, making the service accessible to any building owner with access to utility billing data
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal energy analysis method that can be applied to any building type using the same computer-based approach. The system processes utility billing data and weather data through standardized calculations to determine thermal conductivity and energy consumption for diverse building envelopes, eliminating the need for building-specific measurement protocols or specialized auditor expertise while maintaining accuracy across different building types
3Measurement precision
If conventional audit methods are used to evaluate building shell improvements, then measurement precision may be improved, but loss of substance increases due to invasive testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the evaluation function from invasive physical testing. Instead of using blower door tests, thermal imaging, or other intrusive measurement techniques that temporarily compromise building integrity, the system extracts thermal conductivity information from non-invasive utility billing data and weather data, preserving building integrity while enabling accurate evaluation of building shell performance and improvement potential
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces utility billing data and weather data as intermediary proxies for direct building envelope measurement. These intermediaries carry information about the building's thermal performance without requiring physical access to or interaction with the building envelope, allowing accurate thermal efficiency evaluation while completely avoiding invasive testing that could compromise building integrity
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method to evaluate building cooling fuel consumption with the aid of a digital computer is described. The evaluation can be used for quantifying personalized electric and fuel bill savings. Such savings may be associated with investment decisions relating to building envelope improvements; HVAC equipment improvements; delivery system efficiency improvements; and fuel switching. The results can also be used for assessing the cost/benefit of behavioral changes, such as changing thermostat temperature settings. Similarly, the results can be used for optimizing an HVAC control system algorithm based on current and forecasted outdoor temperature and on current and forecasted solar irradiance to satisfy consumer preferences in a least cost manner. Finally, the results can be used to correctly size a photovoltaic (PV) system to satisfy needs prior to investments by anticipating existing energy usage and the associated change in usage based on planned investments.