HVAC Time-of-Day Pricing Control Without Utility Communication Links
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems lack an efficient method to adjust energy consumption in response to varying utility pricing schedules during peak demand periods, requiring manual adjustments or automated communication links that may not be feasible for all users.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC controller that allows manual entry of utility pricing schedules, enabling users to override nominal schedules with utility pricing schedules, which include setpoints for enhanced pricing time periods, to optimize energy consumption without requiring automated communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated communication links are implemented to receive utility pricing schedules, then energy consumption optimization is improved, but device complexity and installation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows users to manually enter utility pricing schedule information through the existing user interface, eliminating the need for automated communication links. The controller stores this manually entered information and uses it to automatically adjust HVAC operation, making the system self-sufficient without requiring external communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The manually entered utility pricing schedule information acts as an intermediary, bridging the gap between the user's pricing data and the controller's automated decision-making process. This intermediary approach allows the system to function with optimized energy consumption without requiring direct automated communication with utility providers.
2Device complexity
If manual entry of utility pricing schedules is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing user interface, originally designed for basic HVAC control, is enhanced to also accept utility pricing schedule information. This multi-functionality allows the interface to serve both its traditional purpose and the new energy optimization function, eliminating the need for separate input mechanisms and maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The utility pricing schedule input functionality is merged with the existing user interface and memory resources. By combining these functions into the existing controller architecture, the system avoids adding separate input devices or interfaces, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while enabling energy optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If utility pricing schedules are stored in controller memory, then adaptability to pricing changes is improved, but loss of information increases due to manual entry requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback mechanisms that allow users to verify the accuracy of manually entered pricing schedule information. The controller stores this information and uses it to generate control decisions, with the ability to display and confirm the stored pricing data before implementation, reducing information loss through verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller includes validation and verification processes that cushion against potential manual entry errors. By checking the entered information against expected formats and providing confirmation opportunities before the pricing schedule is fully implemented, the system reduces the risk of information loss due to entry mistakes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a method for operating a utility-powered HVAC system for conditioning inside air of a building. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a nominal schedule is maintained by a local HVAC controller, where the nominal schedule has a number of days and one or more time periods for each of at least some of the days. The nominal schedule also has at least one setpoint associated with each of the time periods. The local HVAC controller is configured to accept manual input from a user via a user interface. The manual input may include accepting entry of a utility pricing schedule that corresponds to scheduled price changes of a utility. The utility pricing schedule may include at least one enhanced pricing time period. Entry of at least one utility price level setpoint may also be accepted to correspond to each of the enhanced pricing time periods. The nominal schedule may then be modified or overridden to include the utility pricing schedule, resulting in a utility pricing operating schedule. One or more HVAC units may then be controlled by the local HVAC controller in accordance with the utility pricing operating schedule.