Abstract
Researchers at the University of Central Florida have
developed a software system that provides automatic, centralized control of
different space conditioning systems in a home or office buildings. For
example, the UCF Integrated HVAC Control for Multiple Space Conditioning
Systems(C) can be used to coordinate operations among a building's
central heating/air conditioning units and mini-split heat pumps (MSHPs), eliminating the need for frequent
adjustments to temperature and humidity distribution. More importantly, the
low-cost smart thermostat software can help to minimize the amount of energy
used to heat and cool a building while meeting the set comfort levels of
different rooms.
Technical Details
The UCF invention is a software system that integrates and automatically
controls the following:
- Temperature set point(s)
of multiple space conditioning systems, including MSHPs
- Fan cycling characteristics of central heating
and cooling systems. The characteristics include the desired room temperature (set point) that an occupant enters into the
central system and the outdoor temperature.
The software system can be
retrofitted with any existing space conditioning system to minimize overall
energy use and to maximize occupant comfort throughout the rooms of a home or
building.
In one example application,
the automaticcontrol system is in
a home with an existing ductless MSHP and a ducted central heating/cooling
system. The software links to thermostats to control
the space conditioning systems via an open-source
application
programming interface. It also links to open source
weather data available from the U.S.
National
Weather Service.
When installed, the new system focuses on using the higher
efficiency MSHP as much as possible to condition the entire home. The system
uses the lower efficiency central system only when comfort targets are not
achievable with the MSHP. The control scheme works to automatically adjust
the set point temperature of the MSHP to
be lower than the central system during cooling and higher than the central
system during heating. To maximize comfort in rooms without an MSHP, the UCF
system periodically invokes the central system fan to mix air among the rooms.
Benefit
Low-cost upgrade to existing systems Automates optimization adjustments for temperature and humidity across integrated systemsMarket Application
Smart thermostats
Brochure
