Tag: Thermodynamics

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

Smart Zoning for HVAC Systems

09/15/17

“Can we solve the problem of temperature discrepancy in buildings?”

 

When we think of buildings, many of us assume that the temperature inside will be completely uniform in nature. However, more often there is significant temperature variation from room to room. Making this worse, most HVAC systems only base their setpoints on one of these rooms, causing improper heating and discomfort in the rest of the building. So how can we solve this problem using our engineering mindset? Well, what if we were to use multiple smart thermostats to divide the building into multiple zones, each with their own setpoints? This is the fundamental idea behind smart zoning for HVAC systems, a nascent but intriguing technology which has the promise to vastly improve the ergonomic, economic, and ecological capacity of everyday heating and cooling.

Smart Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

Smart Thermostats

09/13/17

“How can we make thermostats more effective?”

 

Thermostats are essential for keeping a home cozy and tidy. However, traditional thermostats are unable to respond directly to an environment, making them inappropriate for the increasingly dynamic nature of modern building energy management. So how can we use our engineering mindset to configure thermostats that can adapt readily to their environment? Well, what if we were to make smart thermostats with real-time sensors that can collect data about the surrounding environment and make snap decisions, such as adjusting the temperature and introducing local zones, as well as be controlled from an external device? Well, it turns out that this is being carried out in everyday life, with new smart thermostat companies popping up all over the world from the heart of Silicon Valley to the streets of London.

Plenum chambers

Plenum chambers

Plenum chambers

09/11/17

“How can we store gas for heating?”

 

Oftentimes, we need to store gas to heat a space. So how can we do this using our engineering mindset? Well, what if we were to simply have a pressurized house that could trap a gas and release it on command? This is the basic idea behind a plenum chamber and is used in houses all over the world.

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

Diffuser (thermodynamics)

09/08/17

“How can we slow down a fluid while increasing its pressure?”

 

When working with fluids, we often want to modify its properties in some meaningful way. This could include changing more than one at once, such as slowing down its velocity while increasing its pressure. So how exactly can we accomplish this? Well, what if we were to just get a machine to do this? This is the exact idea behind a diffuser, which is the basis of operation for multiple types of HVAC systems.

Thermostatically Controlled Loads

Thermostatically Controlled Loads

Thermostatically Controlled Loads

09/06/17

“How exactly can we model loads that are controlled by thermostats?”

 

Machines take energy from the grid under many parameters. And some of them are controlled by environmental temperatures, such as temperature. And a portion of these units (such as HVAC systems, water boilers, and refrigerators) try to match their setpoints to a value on a thermostat. These machines are known as thermostatically controlled loads and are used in grid-building system modeling to generate predictions about demand side energy usage.

HVAC Dampers

HVAC Dampers

HVAC Dampers

09/01/17

“How can we control the flow of air in an HVAC system?”

 

Many HVAC air systems operate by regulating the flow of air into a space. But how can we do so? Well, what if we were to use our engineering mindset to create a duct that would control the amount of air that would be transferred? This is known as an HVAC Damper and is commonly implemented in Variable Air Control Systems.

Variable Air Volume HVAC Systems

Variable Air Volume HVAC Systems

Variable Air Volume HVAC Systems

08/31/17

“How can we make a more optimal HVAC system?”

 

While Constant Air Volume HVAC Systems are affordable, they are not the most optimal solution. They don’t have the most precise temperature control, their fans can be noisy, and they can consume a large amount of energy. So how can we use our engineering mindset to solve this problem? Well, what if we were to have our air temperature be constant instead of our air supply? This would allow us to change the air temperature at a specified rate, allowing us to save money, energy, noise, and wear. This system is known as a Variable Air Volume HVAC System and is used in building systems all over the world.

Constant Air Volume HVAC Systems

Constant Air Volume HVAC Systems

Constant Air Volume HVAC Systems

08/30/17

“How can we make an affordable HVAC system?”
Most buildings are heated and cooled by a supply of air from an HVAC system. But many times, we are under financial constraints. So how can we make a simple and affordable HVAC air supply system? Well, what if we were to just fill the room with a constant supply of air while varying the temperature to meet our needs. Since we don’t have to monitor the air volume entering the system, we won’t have to build an extra control system, while still achieving our temperature setpoints. These systems are called Constant Air Volume HVAC Systems and are often used in smaller building areas.