Hydronic HVAC Control With Dew Point and Ventilation Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current building control systems face challenges in reducing energy consumption, particularly in commercial and residential buildings, due to market fragmentation, high costs, and lack of incentives for energy efficiency investments, leading to inefficient HVAC systems that consume excessive energy and negatively impact occupant comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
The Hydronic Building Systems Control (HBSC) is a low-cost, software-based control system that integrates traditional and renewable hydronic system components for heating, cooling, and hot water, using commodity hardware and standards-compliant protocols to provide interoperability and optimize energy efficiency, addressing the limitations of forced air systems and hydronic control technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional building control systems are used, then basic HVAC functions are provided, but energy consumption remains excessive and occupant comfort is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The control system integrates multiple functions including temperature control, humidity control, dew point tracking, and ventilation management into a single unified platform. This multi-functional approach allows the system to optimize energy consumption across all HVAC operations while simultaneously maintaining occupant comfort and safety through comprehensive monitoring and control of multiple environmental parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms by monitoring temperature, humidity, and dew point conditions in real-time. This feedback enables dynamic adjustment of HVAC operations to maintain optimal comfort conditions while minimizing energy consumption, particularly through dew point tracking that prevents condensation and optimizes cooling operations.
2Use of energy by moving object
If advanced hydronic control technologies are implemented, then energy efficiency is optimized, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system serves as a universal platform that manages multiple hydronic system components including heat pumps, boilers, radiant heating, and cooling systems through a single integrated interface. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity despite the advanced functionalities provided, as one control system replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate control devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes energy efficiency by dynamically adjusting operational parameters such as supply water temperature, flow rates, and system mode selection based on real-time environmental conditions and load requirements. These parameter changes enable the system to adapt to varying conditions without requiring complex manual intervention or multiple specialized control systems.
3Ease of operation
If forced air HVAC systems are used, then heating and cooling functions are provided, but vulnerability to terrorist attacks and health risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and eliminates the vulnerable air handling components associated with forced air systems by transitioning to a hydronic distribution approach. This extraction removes the large air ducts and air handling units that are susceptible to terrorist attacks and contamination, while maintaining heating and cooling functions through water-based radiant and convective systems that are inherently more secure and healthier.
4Loss of energy
If building owners invest in high-efficiency equipment, then energy savings are achieved, but initial costs increase and incentives are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The control system provides a universal solution that can be applied across diverse building types and existing HVAC configurations, maximizing the applicability and potential energy savings of the investment. By offering a single platform that works with multiple system types (hydronic, heat pump, radiant, conventional), the system reduces the risk and complexity of implementation while delivering measurable energy savings across different applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates monitoring and feedback capabilities that track energy consumption and savings in real-time, providing building owners with tangible evidence of the investment's return. This feedback mechanism helps justify the initial cost by demonstrating actual energy savings and operational improvements, thereby addressing the incentive gap that prevents investment in high-efficiency equipment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
HBSC achieves significant energy savings, improves occupant comfort and safety, reduces vulnerability to terrorist attacks, and lowers operational costs by optimizing hydronic system performance, enhancing the adoption of ground source heat pumps and solar thermal technologies, while reducing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
hydronic coil-to-air heat exchanger
Implementation Method 2
hydronic coil-to-air heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
thermally-conductive structure, such as a building floor, wall, or ceiling
Implementation Method 4
means for sensing at least the air temperature in the air space, a relative humidity of the air space
Data Source
AI summary
Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.