HVAC Setpoint Control Using Occupant Comfort Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional approaches to regulating temperature in buildings are inefficient, expensive, and fail to ensure comfort for all occupants, while also struggling to achieve energy savings and demand reduction.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for determining HVAC set points that considers the present season, allowable temperature comfort range for each occupant, and energy saving set point temperatures for each room, using personal comfort devices and data collection from various sources to optimize temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional detailed building models are used to control HVAC systems, then temperature regulation can be achieved, but the models are expensive and time-consuming to construct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex detailed building models with simple, easily constructed models that use minimal data (occupancy schedules and weather data). These simplified models are sufficient for achieving temperature regulation and energy savings without requiring costly construction and validation processes.
2Ease of operation
If traditional HVAC programming is used to achieve comfort set points, then occupant comfort can be maintained, but energy savings and demand reduction are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-cools or pre-heats buildings during off-peak hours when energy demand and prices are lower, storing thermal energy in the building's thermal mass. This allows the HVAC system to be reduced or shut off during peak demand periods while maintaining occupant comfort, thereby achieving both comfort and energy savings.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts setpoint temperatures based on real-time conditions including occupancy patterns, weather forecasts, and energy prices. By changing temperature parameters strategically (allowing higher temperatures during cooling season when demand is high, lower temperatures during heating season when demand is high), the system achieves energy savings while maintaining comfort.
3Loss of time
If detailed building models are used to predict building behavior hours in advance, then HVAC control can be optimized, but such models are expensive and time-consuming to construct
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses simplified building models that require minimal construction time and resources. These models use readily available data (occupancy schedules, weather data, building envelope characteristics) to provide sufficient accuracy for HVAC optimization without requiring expensive detailed construction and validation processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining HVAC set points are provided. A present season is determined. An allowable temperature comfort range for each occupant in a room in a space is also determined. For each room, an energy saving set point temperature is calculated for the space based on the allowable temperature comfort range for that room. A set point temperature for the space is determined based on the energy saving set point temperatures for each of the rooms in the space. The set point temperature is provided to a thermostat or HVAC system to regulate temperature in the building.