Dynamic Airflow Balancing

[jetkit]

I am searching for a more automated/intelligent way to setup my HVAC. I found this:



I really like how that sounds. Have anyone made any attempts to better automate climate in our HS3 homes?

[KSO]

I am searching for a more automated/intelligent way to setup my HVAC. I found this:



I really like how that sounds. Have anyone made any attempts to better automate climate in our HS3 homes?

I have been using HS3 to regulate the Damper position for some time now. I have a larger ranch house with a centrally located HVAC unit. I have two Plenums from the furnace, one serves the west side of the house and one the east. I also have a fireplace in the living room on the west side. I have temp sensors in the far east bedroom, far west bedroom, and the living room. The thermostat is located in the living room, and a remote sensor is in the far east bedroom. So HS3 monitors and compares the bedroom temp sensors to the living room sensor and the thermostat, and then adjusts the damper for the serving plenum accordingly. This has worked great and will hold the entire house to less than 1 degree difference. With the fireplace, there is a sensor to tell HS3 that the fireplace is active, (it has blower fans also controlled by HS3) and then changes the thermostat to use the remote temp sensor. The fireplace will heat the west end of the house much more that the east, so the furnace will still maintain the temp in the east end with the remote sensor, and HS3 will adjust the west damper accordingly. It works for me.

[waynehead99]

You have to be careful when messing with the airflow your heater was designed to push. Most houses are built already restricted on the airflow. Possible issues being freezing your AC core because not enough air moving over it, and shortening the life of the heater. Best option is to get a quality damper system installed that can account for this.

Not to say this system is bad, but just giving some advice.

[KSO]

You have to be careful when messing with the airflow your heater was designed to push. Most houses are built already restricted on the airflow. Possible issues being freezing your AC core because not enough air moving over it, and shortening the life of the heater. Best option is to get a quality damper system installed that can account for this.

Not to say this system is bad, but just giving some advice.

I also monitor the wattage of the furnace, and the dampers are only modulated when it is in low speed, less that 200 watts. They will open when the wattage exceeds 200 watts, as in when the call for more heat is required. The furnace does not go over 200 watts often, the system is a modulating system. I also use this only when the temp is less than 65 degrees outside. The AC works without the damper use. I do understand the CFM need for the furnace, and that is why I use the furnace wattage to know when it is on low speed, which is most of the time for circulation purposes.

[KSO]

Another item I found from this, because my systems thermostat monitors energy usage daily, that I use less energy (both gas and electricty) when I only drop the temp setpoint (sleep) 2 degrees, and then for wake, I raise it 1 degree, and then for stay (or home) I raise it 1 more degree. These are two hours apart, and this allows the house to raise in temp gradually and not need to place the furnace in High heat. This keeps the blower in low speed and the furnace modulates from 55% down to 40% and still brings the temp up the 2 degrees in a little over 1 hour. I had the temp drop 4 degrees at night, and then the furnace ran in high speed for a few hours to get it up. This used more energy than having it only drop 2 degrees.

[waynehead99]

Sounds like you have the infinity. How are you monitoring the electrical usage of the fan? I am tapped into the bus, but don't see this info.

[waynehead99]

To add to the OP. My automation is simple for my climate and Hvac needs. If Windows or doors are left open for longer than 2 minutes, the system is shut off until house is closed up again. We installed a whole house fan (quite cool brand, can barely hear it run), that we use in the summer time to supplement the AC. It has multiple speeds. This spring I will tie it also to the windows and doors to turn on and adjust speed depending on the amount of windows opened. This was probably the most cost effective thing we did and also helped for comfort. We can't get the house cooled down to what we like without a small loan to pay the bill for the AC. Now the house is downright cold and the AC hardly ever runs anymore.

My next plan is to adjust the heater based off outside temps, but I am having to hack my thermostat to control it and right now I can only do some basic things with it. Plus on its own, it does a good job automating things based off outside conditions. I have the carrier infinity system that requires their thermostat to enjoy full functionality of the features of the heater.

[KSO]

Sounds like you have the infinity. How are you monitoring the electrical usage of the fan? I am tapped into the bus, but don't see this info.

I have the Greeneye system and monitor every circuit, and use UltraECM3 PI. This allows me to do quite a bit with power usage, from knowing when lights are on to TV usage and electric blanket left on.

[KSO]

To add to the OP. My automation is simple for my climate and Hvac needs. If Windows or doors are left open for longer than 2 minutes, the system is shut off until house is closed up again. We installed a whole house fan (quite cool brand, can barely hear it run), that we use in the summer time to supplement the AC. It has multiple speeds. This spring I will tie it also to the windows and doors to turn on and adjust speed depending on the amount of windows opened. This was probably the most cost effective thing we did and also helped for comfort. We can't get the house cooled down to what we like without a small loan to pay the bill for the AC. Now the house is downright cold and the AC hardly ever runs anymore.

My next plan is to adjust the heater based off outside temps, but I am having to hack my thermostat to control it and right now I can only do some basic things with it. Plus on its own, it does a good job automating things based off outside conditions. I have the carrier infinity system that requires their thermostat to enjoy full functionality of the features of the heater.

I have the Bryant system, and love it so far. I just had a new system installed to replace my previous Bryant stepless system, This new on modulates the gas also and does a great job. I also had the Variable speed Heat Pump/AC unit installed. Tried the HP but found that it is not efficient compared the the new furnace, but if NG prices go over $1 per therm, then it will pay for itself. I will see how it works with the AC.