Energy Efficient Residential Thermal Control With Wireless Sensor Networks: A Case Study for Air Conditioning in California

Abstract

Residential thermostats are sensor-limited devices, but low-cost wireless sensor network technology is enabling new spatially distributed sensing capabilities. This paper evaluates the energy and comfort performance of three multi-sensor control strategies that use wireless temperature and humidity sensors in each room and that can be applied to existing on-off residential central systems. The multi-sensor control strategies adjust the temperature set point of a thermostat to control the average of all room temperatures using a temperature threshold logic, minimize aggregate discomfort of all rooms, or maximize the number of rooms within a comfort zone. The strategies were tested using a custom wireless sensor network control system in a seven room, 2,100 square foot single-story house located in Pleasanton, CA during August and September. Performance was benchmarked against an implementation of a single-sensor constant temperature set point control logic using the custom control system and against a constant temperature set point using the original thermostat. Results show multi-sensor strategies may produce simultaneous improvements in energy consumption, room-to-room temperature distributions, and average comfort, compared to the single-sensor constant temperature set point threshold logic.

Experimental evaluation of occupancy-based energy-efficient climate control of VAV terminal units

“…Predicting yearly energy savings from the test results is therefore risky. Comparison of the results in (Ota et al 2008) and (Siemann 2010) provides a cautionary tale. Based on experimental evaluation of a few days (3 to 6), up to 79% energy-savings potential of a wireless sensor-based home HVAC system was reported in (Ota et al 2008).…”

“…Comparison of the results in (Ota et al 2008) and (Siemann 2010) provides a cautionary tale. Based on experimental evaluation of a few days (3 to 6), up to 79% energy-savings potential of a wireless sensor-based home HVAC system was reported in (Ota et al 2008). Upon deploying the system in a home in a different climate zone and collecting data for more than a month, it was found that the energy consumption after the retrofit was statistically either worse or indistinguishable from that of before the retrofit (Siemann 2010).…”

Smart air-conditioning control by wireless sensors

“…Their control strategy involved turning off the AC in unoccupied zones and manipulating the set-point temperature. A multi-sensor non-learning control strategy has been proposed in [18]. This paper evaluates the energy and comfort performance of three multi-sensor control strategies that use wireless temperature and humidity sensors and that can be applied to existing ON/OFF central HVAC system.…”

Prescheduled Controller for Split Unit Air Conditioner Reduce Energy Consumption

“…Several studies [2][3][4] had been done in the United States on finding an optimum way of reducing energy consumption of HVAC system. Concept that had been studied are by improving area temperature reading method and feedback to air conditioner unit or proper prediction of heat rejection by occupancy or external heat radian.…”

“…Researchers also looked into other types of refrigerant that have potential to reduce HVAC power consumption [5]. Most of the studies we have come across have been done by using mathematical simulation approach except [4] which had done by actual on-site study in California, United States. A study has been done in Germany that showed of high energy saving potential based on consumer behaviour in a university building [6].…”