ZonePAC: Zonal Power Estimation and Control via HVAC Metering and Occupant Feedback

Abstract

Heating Ventillation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems account for nearly 40% of primary energy consumption by commercial buildings. Yet, these systems by and large operate in an open-loop with the building occupants. While the monitoring and feedback of comfort conditions is by (much smaller) zones, the HVAC control systems operate on energy metering and monitoring at the scale of entire buildings. ZonePAC attempts to bridge this gap between metering, monitoring and control by providing an embedded sensing and information management architecture that provides for effective participation by the building occupants in zonal HVAC settings that directly affect the building scale HVAC control system. Our results from a deployment of 65 users spread across 51 zones in a 145,000 square feet commercial building demonstrate the viability and effectiveness of ZonePAC.