Predictive HVAC Ventilation Control Using Nighttime Pre-Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HVAC systems consume energy and wear out equipment quickly, leading to increased failure rates and costs, necessitating more efficient temperature control methods.
Innovation Solution
A predictive method for operating HVAC systems that monitors interior and exterior temperatures, predicts future temperature conditions, and adjusts ventilation based on operational data to optimize energy use and reduce equipment strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical cooling systems are operated continuously to maintain interior temperature, then temperature control reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases and equipment wear accelerates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the building interior during nighttime hours when exterior temperatures are lower. By pre-cooling the space before the hot day begins, the mechanical cooling system can be reduced or shut off during peak heating periods, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining temperature control reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the naturally cool nighttime exterior air into a beneficial resource for cooling the building interior. Instead of relying solely on mechanical cooling systems during daytime, the system utilizes the temperature differential between nighttime exterior air and interior space to provide free cooling, thereby reducing mechanical system operation and energy consumption.
2Ease of operation
If exterior air dampers are used to circulate fresh air into the structure, then ventilation effectiveness is improved, but energy loss increases when exterior air requires conditioning
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the building interior during nighttime when exterior air is cooler. This pre-cooling reduces the energy required to condition exterior air that is introduced during daytime, as the interior space and thermal mass are already at lower temperatures, reducing the conditioning burden on incoming fresh air.
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the typically harmful effect of hot exterior air entering the building into a benefit by utilizing nighttime cool exterior air for pre-cooling the interior. This transforms what would otherwise be a energy loss (conditioning hot exterior air) into a energy savings opportunity (using cool exterior air for free cooling).
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a temperature control system is disclosed. The method includes monitoring an interior and exterior temperature of a structure, defining a first time range and a second time range, associating one or more operating parameters of the temperature control system with the first time range, associating one or more operating parameters of the temperature control system with the second time range, monitoring operational time and operational load of the cooling system for the first time range, predicting a space temperature and an outdoor air temperature for a subsequent time period, and controlling a ventilation subsystem during the second time range based upon the monitored operational time and operational load of the cooling subsystem for the first time range, the predicted space temperature, the predicted outdoor air temperature, and the one or more operating parameters of the cooling subsystem associated with the second time range.