Smart Sensor Technology to reduce Energy use in HVAC Systems

According to WBDG 39% of the energy used in commercial buildings in the U.S is HVAC Systems. Now IoT and IIoT devices and smart sensors are getting hype its time for HVAC systems to manage the energy efficiency suing this IoT Systems.

According to ACEEE Smart Sensor Technology can save up to 18% on its annual whole-building energy consumption. Smart HVAC includes the below options:

1. Installing occupancy-based wireless thermostats- By dividing in to zone unoccupied it can save 5-10% of HVAC energy cost.
2. Advanced Rooftop Unit Controls- RTU can cut the HVAC energy by 20-40%, depending on the components used and setting which have applied.
3. CO2 Demand-Controlled Ventilation sensors- which can be coupled with sensors that detect a building’s occupancy and adjust ventilation accordingly. Though costly to install, they can make the most sense in a building retrofit.
4. Smart solar film, which can be programmed to adjust according to the amount of incoming sunlight, can help reduce cooling load by 10-20%.

Why should we place the Sensors Properly?

When determining where and what is using excess energy and where to save, monthly utility bills only say so much. Kevin Brown, Vice President of Engineering at ABM, suggests looking at granular data, as frequently as information for every 15 minutes. Instead of one data point a month – your utility bill – you will have almost 3,000 points.

“That will tell you things like if your system is running the right amount at night or if all your equipment is starting at same time,” he says.

When determining the right temperature and humidity, it’s important to keep the comfort and productivity of people in the building in mind. The key is to find a zone where people are comfortable and energy is optimized.

Place wireless sensors in key areas:

• High-density areas
• Spaces that aren’t in use to make sure they aren’t running excessively
• At workstations
• Interior walls

If there’s a known issue or complaint from people, well-placed sensors can help determine the problem, Brown suggests. “It could be airflow or sensing and tuning issues, or it could be a problem where you need to put new duct runs or diffusors into a space.”

Reducing Lighting Issues for Energy Savings

HVAC sensors can work alongside sensors tied to window treatments to help with energy efficiency.

A properly placed sensor tied to motorized window treatments can pick up on sunlight and adjust window shading during the course of a day.

“Working together, you won’t necessarily have to have the air conditioning set at a very low temperature, the room won’t get so warm,” says Marvin Gramm, Product Manager at Nice Group USA. “Roller shades can compensate for this, resulting in lower energy usage.”

Motorized shades can cut down on heat and glare, so building personnel are more comfortable and productive.

Gathering Information to Manage the System

To reduce energy for HVAC systems, Brown suggests looking to make improvements to an HVAC system in this order:

1. Schedule: Optimize the system to deliver the right temperature at the right time.
2. Maintenance: Older systems that still work often get ignored. By knowing how they are doing and tuning them, they can get back to their original operating or beyond.
3. Testing and balancing: Make sure the airflow is going to the right place.

Another consideration is the information the sensors collect. The proper software and a person who can control everything will help make the most of the system.

To learn on all of the above smec360.com is the perfect platform during this time. Which will help you find the right path to control your system and learn on new technologies.