I see many posts about using software to control HVAC type equuipment using sensors and a gui. I have a dedicated web based thermostat now in my commercial buildings and it saves me hundreds a month due to “Local manipulation”.
I would suggest strongly that a robust web based interface be created for 8 zones minimum heat/ac/fan with sensors for outdoor/indoor and anticipation. Additionally being able to switch some water zone valves when the upstairs is too hot to create a loop downstairs, solar hot water, and other time/temp/schedule control outputs would be very desirable.
A graphical interface and a choice of if time and/then temp then on/off logical statements would be a big energy and money saver.
In my application the staff was running heat over design temps by locking thermostats on hold causing 100% duty even after hours. After much explaining I had to install the device I use now, however it is limited to just that purpose. Unable to handle the other units in the building… micasaverde feels like its right there - but missing a few key pieces as far as I know thus far.
Any ideas from those who have experience with this issue?
It depends on how much money you are willing to spend. But doesn’t it always?hehe
I use 3v DDC controls for things like you are talking about. I use Carrier branded control devices right now. But the technology you are looking for is BACnet compatibility. This is something that would be professionally installed, but is almost infinitely configurable and can handle enough devices to do high rise buildings energy use, HVAC control (any type), lighting, you name it. It can also, for a price, do things like you would want to do in a home. This is what I wanted to do in my house before finding Vera. Vera does standard functions for lots of things, and handles very basic homeowner type stuff. But water loops, and outdoor temperature enthalpy control is not something that Vera knows anything about. That’s not to say that some of the smarter coders here couldn’t write a plugin for such a thing either.
If you want to do the “Roll your own” thing, you could certainly try Vera. I don’t know your particular use case, but you may not actually need the super advanced control logic of a BACnet system. And if you are willing to spend some time and dig here on the forums, you can get Vera to do most of the things on your list. And save quite a bit of money in the process. It might also depend on how big the space you are trying to control is, but you can link multiple Vera’s together which is still WAY cheaper than a BACnet system.
Here’s a link to the Carrier controls page and you can have a look at what I’m talking about.
I believe Vera is probably your best option to do all the things you want to do, with a couple of exceptions, in one device.
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