Zone Valve Utility Metering for Fair Multi-Unit Billing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for allocating and controlling utilities in multi-unit buildings, such as HVAC systems, are costly, prone to tampering, and do not accurately reflect individual unit usage, leading to inefficiencies and unfair billing.
Innovation Solution
A web-based utility allocation and control system that uses thermostats to gather run-time data from each unit, processing this data to determine proportional utility usage and controlling the delivery of utilities, reducing costs and enabling fair billing through fewer components and remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual sub-meters are installed to measure run-time in zone valves for utility allocation, then each unit can be billed based on its actual usage, but the system becomes costly due to equipment, installation and maintenance costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the utility control valve and metering function into a single integrated device. The zone valve incorporates an internal metering mechanism that measures utility consumption directly at the control point, eliminating the need for separate sub-meters and reducing system complexity while maintaining accurate measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The zone valve is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls utility flow to individual units and simultaneously measures the consumption. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate measurement devices, reducing both equipment costs and installation complexity while providing accurate utility allocation data.
2Measurement precision
If individual sub-meters are installed to monitor utility usage, then accurate billing is enabled, but the meters are capable of being tampered with
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the external metering component that is susceptible to tampering and integrates the measurement function directly into the controlled valve mechanism. By embedding the metering capability within the valve itself, the system eliminates the vulnerability of separate external meters while maintaining accurate measurement for billing purposes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate heating units are installed in each unit with separate meters, then each unit has independent control, but the method is very costly in terms of equipment, installation and maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the central utility system into controllable segments at the zone valve level, allowing independent control and measurement for each unit without requiring separate heating units. Each zone valve can be independently controlled and metered, providing unit-specific adaptability while maintaining a shared central utility infrastructure that reduces overall system complexity and cost.
4Ease of operation
If overall consumption is metered and costs are allocated based on square footage, then billing is simplified, but tenants with lower usage pay more than actual usage and tenants with higher usage pay less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical allocation method (square footage-based billing) with an automated digital measurement and communication system. The integrated zone valves with internal metering capabilities digitally track actual utility consumption and transmit this data for accurate billing, substituting the simplified but inaccurate mechanical allocation system with a more complex but precise electronic measurement system.
Data Source
AI summary
A utility individual usage allocation and control system and method to manage utility and related services to a plurality of units in a facility to increase operational efficiency and cost savings. The system and method include a plurality of controllers positioned in a plurality of respective zones. A plurality of output devices are operably coupled to each controller and a utility provider is operably coupled to each of the output devices. A processor is configured to receive run-time data from each of the plurality of controllers, the run-time data corresponding with actual time the output device is in an engaged state. Run-time data from each controller is processed to determine proportion of total utility used by each zone. The processor is remote from the controllers and data is transmitted by wireless signals. The utility is selected from a group comprising hot air, hot water, cool air, electricity and memory data.