Computer-implemented system and method for evaluating a change in fuel requirements for heating of a building
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating building heating and cooling energy consumption are invasive, time-consuming, and prone to inaccuracies due to the need for detailed energy audits and specialized testing, making it difficult to identify cost-effective ways to reduce energy usage and quantify savings from building shell upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system and method that calculates fuel consumption using empirically-measured values from utility billing data and short-duration tests to derive building-specific parameters, allowing for the evaluation of changes in thermal conductivity and HVAC efficiency, thereby simplifying the estimation of energy consumption and savings without the need for intrusive audits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional energy audits with detailed testing are conducted to accurately determine building thermal conductivity, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential data elements needed to determine thermal conductivity (fuel consumption, temperature differential, building characteristics) from the comprehensive energy audit process. This selective extraction eliminates unnecessary testing steps while maintaining measurement accuracy, directly resolving the contradiction between precision and time consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses readily available utility billing data as a substitute for direct on-site measurements. By copying existing recorded information (fuel consumption data, temperature logs) rather than performing new measurements, the system achieves thermal conductivity determination without the time-consuming field testing required by traditional methods.
2Reliability
If comprehensive building parameters are collected through detailed audits to improve reliability of energy consumption estimates, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal calculation methodology that can determine thermal conductivity and energy consumption for any building type using the same core parameters (fuel consumption, temperature differential, building characteristics). This single multi-functional approach replaces the need for building-specific complex testing procedures, maintaining reliability while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing utility billing data and readily available building information that building owners already possess. By leveraging data that buildings effectively self-report through utility meters and public records, the methodology eliminates the need for complex external auditing infrastructure while maintaining estimation reliability.
3Loss of energy
If building shell improvements are implemented to reduce energy consumption, then loss of energy is reduced, but ease of manufacture decreases due to investment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables building owners to evaluate partial improvements (specific window replacements, targeted insulation additions) rather than requiring complete building shell renovation. By calculating energy savings for individual components or zones, the system makes energy reduction achievable through incremental, affordable actions rather than comprehensive expensive overhauls.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent allows building owners to adjust key parameters (indoor temperature setpoint, building characteristics, fuel type) in the calculation to evaluate how different operational changes and upgrade scenarios affect energy consumption. This flexibility enables owners to identify cost-effective modifications tailored to their specific situation and budget constraints.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method to assist consumers with decisions affecting a change in fuel requirements is provided. Fuel consumption for heating can be considered by evaluating changes that would affect thermal conductivity, average indoor temperature, HVAC efficiency, and solar gain. In a further embodiment, a computer-implemented system and method to evaluate investment's in a building's shell is provided. Thermal conductivity and the surface area of a surface that is under consideration for improvement are obtained, after which revised thermal conductivity can be modeled based on the existing and proposed thermal performance of that building surface. In a still further embodiment, fuel consumption for heating modeling results can be comparatively evaluated, with one fuel consumption model operating over an annual (or periodic) scope and another fuel consumption model operating on an hourly (or interval) scope.