HVAC control system and method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated demand response (ADR) programs for HVAC systems face high opt-out rates due to user thermal discomfort and difficulty in determining optimal set points to satisfy user comfort, limiting their effectiveness in load management.
Innovation Solution
A HVAC control system that receives user comfort feedback, builds personalized comfort models correlating comfort scores to various factors, and adjusts HVAC functions to achieve predetermined comfort scores while complying with power abatement instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated demand response programs use fixed temperature offsets or on-off cycling for HVAC control, then load management effectiveness is improved, but user thermal comfort deteriorates leading to high opt-out rates
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from uniform fixed temperature offsets applied to all users to personalized dynamic temperature adjustments based on individual comfort models. Each user receives customized HVAC control parameters tailored to their specific thermal comfort preferences, thereby maintaining load management effectiveness while preventing thermal discomfort that causes opt-outs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces static fixed offset control with dynamic real-time adjustments of HVAC setpoints. The comfort model continuously monitors user feedback and environmental conditions, dynamically modifying temperature control parameters to maintain optimal comfort levels while achieving demand response objectives, thus preventing user opt-out due to discomfort.
2Device complexity
If fixed temperature offsets are applied to all users in ADR programs, then implementation simplicity is improved, but user satisfaction deteriorates due to inability to satisfy individual comfort requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables each user to define their own comfort preferences through the comfort model, allowing individuals to self-determine their optimal temperature ranges and comfort parameters. This self-service approach maintains implementation simplicity while dramatically improving adaptability to individual user needs, as users directly input their preferences rather than having uniform offsets imposed on them.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the control parameter from a single fixed temperature offset applied uniformly to all users to multiple dynamic parameters including user-specific comfort temperatures, thermal sensitivity factors, and time-varying setpoints. These parameter changes enable personalized comfort control while the automated model generation keeps the overall system relatively simple to implement.
3Productivity
If coarse adjustments are mandated in ADR programs, then load control achievement is improved, but user comfort precision deteriorates leading to opt-outs
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial adjustments to HVAC setpoints based on individual user comfort needs rather than uniform coarse adjustments. By implementing customized temperature modifications tailored to each user's comfort model, the system achieves sufficient load control while providing precise comfort control that prevents user opt-out, effectively applying just the right amount of adjustment for each individual.
Data Source
AI summary
A HVAC control system comprising a user interface adapted to receive comfort feedback from a user. A processor is adapted to receive the comfort feedback and input data corresponding to one or more comfort factors and respective values of the comfort factors. The processor is adapted to build a comfort model for the user based on the comfort feedback and the input data, with the comfort model correlating a comfort score to one or more values of one or more of the comfort factors. The processor is configured to adjust one or more functions of an HVAC unit to vary one or more comfort factors such that a predetermined comfort score is achieved. An associated method and an associated system are also provided.