Building architecture and design is greatly influenced by the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) requirements. Energy savings and cost optimizations are a critical part of the design process. Technological advancements have already made inroads into the HVAC industry and we can say that the HVAC industry has started enjoying the benefits of the digital age. As a consequence, HVAC systems are becoming 'smarter' every day, with interconnectivity and predictive operations being at the forefront of this newfound smartness. With the advent of digital building management systems, smart thermostats and smart room controllers, the Internet of Things (IoT) has already established its footprint in the HVAC industry.
The introduction of IoT in HVAC enables technology providers to launch customer focused solutions, resulting in better productivity and greater energy efficiency.
What is IoT?
It is useful to first understand the different parts of the IoT ecosystem in the context of HVAC. In its simplest form, the IoT concept enables appliances such as heat pumps, air conditioners or dehumidifiers to be connected via smart thermostats or smart room controllers. Once connected, the next step is to give complete control of the appliance to the user through a mobile app and/or desktop interface with the help of a smart thermostat or a proprietary smart air conditioner controller.
This connectivity is achieved by connecting the appliance and the user console through a common cloud network, such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS. Once a command is sent through the user console, it transmits to the cloud service, where it is then processed and relayed to the appliance. The data transmission to the appliance can be done in one of two ways: Inbuilt smart functionality, commands are sent directly to the appliance.
With third party smart controllers or thermostats, commands are first sent to the controller/thermostat and then further relayed to the HVAC appliance through IR or hard wiring.
In a nutshell, IoT capability will provide any HVAC device the capability to establish two-way data sharing. This data can then be used and processed to enhance the value proposition of HVAC products.
What are the Technology Challenges in HVAC for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) & HOW IoT can Help?
The 4 C's of modern day HVAC systems entail control, communication, comfort and cost. The appliance manufacturers are more interested in controls and communication part as comfort and cost comes in their playground. For control & communication, the HVAC manufacturers have to rely on third parties and in few cases they do it themselves. The IoT enables the OEMs to enhance their value proposition. Some of the challenges being faced by the appliance OEMs and which can be addressed via IoT in HVAC industry are given below:
1. Preventive Maintenance of Heating & Cooling Equipment
OEMs always want to provide the best of their services to a user. With something technical like an HVAC product, a user is often not able to timely and accurately identify a potential issue with their HVAC system. Delay in identifying a possible issue can lead to further worsening of the problem.
This is where the OEM can use IoT and keep a tab on any potential issues which arise during use. These can be excessive energy consumption, faulty thermostat readings, or any other issues within the appliance. As soon as an anomaly is detected, the user can be notified and prompt action can be taken to rectify the problem.
The shift from reactionary to predictive maintenance practices serves to increase both the convenience of a user and also increase the lifetime of the appliance.
2. Remote Diagnosis of Costly HVAC Equipment
With the establishment of a direct line of communication between the HVAC appliance and the manufacturer, any minor issues can be resolved from a remote location with the click of a few buttons. This saves the added expense of manpower for the OEM, while the consumer gets to save on contractor costs.
3. Flexible Building Controls and Demand Management
Most people associated with the HVAC industry will be familiar with BACnet, a communication protocol for automated controls within large building complexes. This protocol has been in service since the turn of the century and provides a convenient one stop solution to building managers for controlling various functions from one console.
Incorporation of IoT within the HVAC system will enable building managers to be even more flexible with their choices. Temperature ranges can be set which would be restricted to what the manager wants, in order to save energy. Operating modes can be automatically adjusted by the HVAC systems based upon the occupancy of a specific room.
Moreover, energy companies are now pushing for demand management across localities. What this means is that whenever there is an increase in load demand, energy utilities can automatically alter HVAC temperature and mode settings to decrease power demand from a specific building. In return, the utilities give out rebates for the amount of energy saved through these measures. This direct control of HVAC appliances by a utility is made possible by the interconnectivity provided by IoT.
Benefits of IoT for HVAC Consumers
As discussed before, a consumer has the convenience of HVAC controls from remote locations. This is the most basic application case of IoT. But this is not enough. Consumers are now wanting a 360-degree view of their usage habits.
1. Real-time Usage Tracking of Heating or Cooling Equipment
Usage tracking lets the consumer be in complete control of their air conditioning. Past usage trends enable a user to better understand their routines, and as a result be able to incorporate energy saving habits.
For example, a user is out of their home from morning till evening, but they have a pet at home. During midday, the temperature gets hotter and the air conditioning setting which they set in the morning is not suitable. With an IoT enabled appliance, the user can set up an automatic schedule for the temperature to be according to the ambient, or can remotely control the temperature in real time, however they see fit.
The next step is to adopt machine learning algorithms which can learn from a users' usage habits and automatically make decisions which would provide both convenience and energy savings to the end consumer.
2. Smart AC Controls Result in Increased Efficiency of Connected Equipment
Tailor made daily schedules, routines, and usage profiles help to save energy and cut down on the bills. Smart systems with occupancy tracking can keep track of how many people are in the room and accordingly set the operating modes. Geolocation features within many third-party smart AC controls automatically turn the AC off when the user has gone a specified distance away from their home. Temperature range controls can maintain a specific temperature range without excessive use of the AC compressor, and drastically alter energy consumption.
Energy utilities are also introducing time-based tariffs, with a higher rate applicable during times of higher demand. Scheduling can ensure that there is minimal air conditioning usage during those high tariff periods.
Energy efficiency and user comfort is the key. In the US, brands like Cielo Breez are pioneering the smart control industry for ductless air conditioning. The smart control offerings by Cielo are brand & type independent and work seamlessly with any brand ductless mini-splits, window or portable ACs. Smart connectivity and brand independence makes these products ideal for rebate programs being run by utilities.
What's the Future of IoT in HVAC Industry?
With the first wave of IoT well and truly underway, we can look optimistically to the future. More and more manufacturers are introducing smart products within their appliances. A study by Parks Research tells us that by 2020, over 40 million US homes will have smart thermostats.
With such a huge userbase, information gathered from it will be greatly beneficial in modeling better predictive models for air conditioning usage and efficiency, with the end goal of ensuring an eco-friendlier HVAC industry.
Such a promising beginning bodes well for the integration of IoT with HVAC products. Global controls, location-based features, and intelligent temperature and humidity based operating modes are just some of the ways IoT can bring about a marked difference in the lives of a consumer.
Remote maintenance, real time diagnostics, and flexible building management are areas of promise for OEM's in HVAC. Assimilation of IoT can make a visible difference in the bottom line for large manufacturers and HVAC companies, which is a higher profit margin.
We can safely claim that IoT will serve to be a very powerful tool in the coming years within the HVAC industry, and will prove itself to be a driver of exponential advancement!
