SYSTEM FOR AIR CONDITIONING

Abstract

A system for air conditioning is provided which comprises a HVAC system suitable to air condition a space. The HVAC system has a heating mode, a cooling mode, and a fan mode. The system further comprises a building space to be air conditioned by the HVAC system, at least two air temperature sensors situated in different locations in the building space, at least one occupancy sensor for detecting the presence of at least one person in the building space and a controller for controlling an operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system. The controller is configured to make a selection between the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode based on signals of the at least two air temperature sensors. The system allows the provision of a thermal comfort in the building space of the system at a reduced overall energy consumption and reduced carbon footprint.

Claims

1. A system for air-conditioning, comprising a) a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system suitable to air condition a building space, wherein the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system has a heating mode in which heating of the building space is effected, a cooling mode in which cooling of the building space is effected, and a fan mode in which no heating and no cooling of the building space is effected and air is circulated within the building space; b) a building space to be air conditioned by the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; c) at least two air temperature sensors situated in different locations in the building space; d) at least one occupancy sensor for detecting the presence of at least one person in the building space; e) a controller for controlling an operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; wherein the controller is configured to make a selection between the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode based on signals of the at least two air temperature sensors.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system further has i) an active mode in which the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode are selectable and in which power consumption is allowed to be maximal; and/or ii) an active preconditioning mode in which the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode are selectable and in which power consumption is only allowed to be lower than maximal; wherein the controller is configured to make a selection between the active mode and active preconditioning mode based on signals of the occupancy sensor, wherein the controller is preferably configured to i) select the active preconditioning mode at a predetermined time period before at least one person enters the building space, wherein the predetermined time period is more preferably determined based on statistical data analysis regarding an occupation of the building space depending on time; and/or ii) select the active mode if at least one person is detected to be present in the building space by the at least one occupancy sensor.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least two air temperature sensors are situated in locations in the building space which are spaced apart at least 30%, preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 60%, especially at least 70%, optionally at least 80%, of a maximum spatial expansion of the building space.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one occupancy sensor is selected from the group consisting of an image sensor, a video camera, a motion sensor, a time of flight sensor, a milli-meter wave sensor, and combinations thereof, wherein the image sensor and/or video camera are optionally suitable to detect electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength in the visible spectrum and/or infrared spectrum of light, preferably electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength range in the range of 400 to 800 nm and/or a wavelength in the range of 5 to 25 m.

5. The system according to claim 1 wherein the building space comprises a) an air exchange device, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, wherein the air exchange device comprises an actor, preferably a motor, that is suitable for opening and closing the air exchange device, wherein the air exchange device is preferably a vent or window; and b) at least one air exchange device status sensor for detecting an opening degree of the air exchange device; wherein the controller is configured to i) receive signals from the air exchange device status sensor; and/or ii) control the actor of the air exchange device to adjust its opening degree based on signals of the at least two air temperature sensors and of the at least one occupancy sensor, preferably also based on signals of at least one air humidity sensor of the building space and/or also based on signals of at least one air velocity sensor of the building space.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the building space comprises at least one air humidity sensor, wherein the controller is configured to i) control the operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on signals of the air humidity sensor; and/or ii) control an opening degree of an air exchange device for opening and closing an air passage between the building space and outdoors of the building space based on signals of the at least one air humidity sensor.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the building space comprises at least one air velocity sensor, wherein the at least one air velocity sensor is optionally located at an indoors side of the building space or located at an outdoors side of the building space, wherein the controller is configured to i) control the operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on signals of the at least one air velocity sensor; and/or ii) control an opening degree of an air exchange device for opening and closing an air passage between the building space and outdoors of the building space based on signals of the at least one air velocity sensor.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive weather data and is configured to control i) the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on received weather data; and/or ii) an actor of an air exchange device of the system, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, to adjust an opening degree of the air exchange device based on received weather data; wherein the weather data preferably includes data selected from the group consisting of outdoors air temperature, outdoors air humidity, outdoors air velocity, forecast outdoors air temperature, forecast outdoors air humidity, forecast outdoors air velocity, and combinations thereof.

9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive data regarding a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space and is configured to control i) the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on the received data regarding a thermal comfort temperature range; and/or ii) an actor of an air exchange device of the system, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, to adjust an opening degree of the air exchange device based on the received data regarding a thermal comfort temperature range; wherein the control unit is preferably configured to determine a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space from the received data based on a thermal comfort prediction model, optionally a predicted mean vote model and/or an adaptive comfort model.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to set a) a single temperature setpoint for heating to define a heating mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and b) a single temperature setpoint for cooling to define a cooling mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; wherein the controller is more preferably configured to set the i) single temperature setpoint for heating to a lower value than the single temperature setpoint for cooling; and/or ii) single temperature setpoint for cooling to a lower value in an active mode than in an active preconditioning mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and/or iii) single temperature setpoint for heating to a higher value in an active mode than in an active preconditioning mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and/or iv) single temperature setpoints to a different value if a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space, which is preferably determined by the controller based on a thermal comfort prediction model, optionally a predicted mean vote model and/or an adaptive comfort model, has changed.

11. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to set a) a lower limit temperature setpoint for heating and an upper limit temperature setpoint for heating to define a heating mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and b) a lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling and an upper limit temperature setpoint for cooling to define a cooling mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; wherein the controller is more preferably configured to set the i) temperature setpoints for cooling lower in an active mode than in an active preconditioning mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and/or ii) temperature setpoints for heating higher in an active mode than in an active preconditioning mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; and/or iii) temperature setpoints to a different value if a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space, which is preferably determined by the controller based on a thermal comfort prediction model, optionally a predicted mean vote model and/or an adaptive comfort model, has changed.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to perform a comparison of each of the set temperature setpoints for heating and each of the set temperature setpoints for cooling with a first temperature obtained from a first of the at least two air temperature sensors of the system and with a second temperature obtained from a second of the at least two air temperature sensors of the system, and wherein the controller is configured to control the operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on said comparison, wherein the controller is preferably configured to, based on said comparison, activate or deactivate a heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system or to switch off the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to activate i) a heating mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and close an air exchange device of the building space, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, if a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is below the lower limit temperature setpoint for heating; and/or ii) a cooling mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and close an air exchange device of the building space, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, if a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is above the upper limit temperature setpoint for cooling.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to deactivate a heating mode and a cooling mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, to close an air exchange device of the building space, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, and to activate a fan mode of the of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, if i) a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or above the lower limit temperature setpoint for heating and is identical to or below the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating, and if a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is above the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating; and/or ii) a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or below the upper limit temperature setpoint for cooling and is identical to or above the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling, and if a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is below the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to switch off the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and to close an air exchange device of the building space, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, if i) a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or above the lower limit temperature setpoint for heating and is identical to or below the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating, and if a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or below the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating; and/or ii) a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or lower than the upper limit temperature setpoint for cooling and is identical to or above the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling, and if a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical or above the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to switch off the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and to open an air exchange device of the building space, which is suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors, if i) a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is above the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating, and if a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is above an outdoors temperature; and/or ii) a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is below the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling, and if a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is below an outdoors temperature.

17. The system according to claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to set the temperature setpoints to new temperature setpoints if i) a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is above the upper limit temperature setpoint for heating, and if a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or below an outdoors temperature, and if a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space, which is preferably determined by the controller based on a thermal comfort prediction model, optionally a predicted mean vote model and/or an adaptive comfort model, has changed; and/or ii) a maximum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is below the lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling, and if a minimum building space temperature obtained from the at least two air temperature sensors is identical to or above an outdoors temperature, and if a thermal comfort temperature range from at least one person in the building space, which is preferably determined by the controller based on a thermal comfort prediction model, optionally a predicted mean vote model and/or an adaptive comfort model, has changed; wherein the controller is preferably configured to perform a comparison of each of the new temperature setpoints for heating and each of the new temperature setpoints for cooling with a first temperature obtained from a first of the at least two air temperature sensors of the system and with a second temperature obtained from a second of the at least two air temperature sensors of the system, and control the operation of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system based on said comparison, wherein the controller is preferably configured to, based on said comparison, activate or deactivate a heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system or to deactivate the whole heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

18. The system according to claim 1, wherein the controller is i) a local controller of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; ii) a remote controller that has a communicative connection, optionally by cable or wireless, to a local controller of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system, wherein the remote controller is preferably a cloud controller.

Description

[0077] In the following figures and examples, the subject-matter according to the invention shall be illustrated in more detail without wishing to limit the subject-matter according to the invention to the specific embodiments shown here.

[0078] FIG. 1A schematically shows a control of a single control loop iteration which the controller of the system according to the invention can be configured to implement.

[0079] FIG. 1B shows an overview of a control for setting the temperature setpoints which the controller of the system according to the invention can be configured to implement. The temperature setpoints can relate to an active mode of the HVAC system in which the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode of the HVAC system are selectable and in which power consumption is allowed to be maximal (in this case: the answer to active hours is yes). The temperature setpoints can also relate to an active preconditioning mode of the HVAC system in which the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode of the HVAC system are selectable and in which power consumption is only allowed to be lower than maximal (in this case: the answer to active hours is no and the answer to preconditioning hours is yes).

[0080] FIG. 1C shows an overview of a control for the heating branch which the controller of the system according to the invention can be configured to implement. Heating ON means that the heating mode of the HVAC system is switched on. Heating OFF means that the heating mode of the HVAC system is switched off. HVAC OFF means that the HVAC system is switched (completely) off. Fan ON means that the fan mode is switched on, i.e. that a fan of the HVAC system is activated. Window OPEN means that a window of the building space of the system is opened. Window CLOSED means that a window of the building space of the system is closed.

[0081] FIG. 1D shows an overview of a control for the cooling branch which the controller of the system according to the invention can be configured to implement. Cooling ON means that the cooling mode of the HVAC system is switched on. Cooling OFF means that the cooling mode of the HVAC system is switched off. HVAC OFF means that the HVAC system is switched (completely) off. Fan ON means that the fan mode is switched on, i.e. that a fan of the HVAC system is activated. Window OPEN means that a window of the building space of the system is opened. Window CLOSED means that a window of the building space of the system is closed.

[0082] FIG. 2 schematically shows a first system according to the invention. The system comprises a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system 1, 2, 7, 19 (HVAC system 1, 2, 19) having an outdoor unit 1, an indoor unit 2, a local controller 7 and a duct 19 for air supply and air return, wherein the HVAC system 1, 2, 7, 19 is suitable to air condition a building space 3. The HVAC system 1, 2, 7, 19 has a heating mode in which heating of the building space 3 is effected, a cooling mode in which cooling of the building space 3 is effected, and a fan mode in which no heating and no cooling of the building space 3 is effected and air is circulated within the building space. The system further comprises a building space 3 to be air conditioned by the HVAC system 1, 2, 6, 19, at least two air temperature sensors 4, 4 situated in different locations in the building space 3 and at least one occupancy sensor 5 for detecting the presence of at least one person 18, 18, 18, 18 in the building space 3. Here, the at least one occupancy sensor 5 is located in one sensing device together with a first air temperature sensor 4 of the at least two air temperature sensors 4, 4. The system further comprises a controller 6 for controlling an operation of the HVAC system 1, 2, 7, 19, wherein the controller 6 is configured to make a selection between the heating mode, cooling mode and fan mode based on signals of the at least two air temperature sensors 4, 4. The system further comprises three air exchange devices 8, 8, 8 (here: windows to outdoors), wherein the air exchange devices 8, 8, 8 each have an actor 9 suitable for opening and closing each air exchange devices 8, 8, 8 (here: a motor) and an air exchange device status sensor 10 for detecting an opening degree of each air exchange device 8, 8, 8. The system further comprises at least one air humidity sensor 11. Here, the at least one air humidity sensor 11 is located in one sensing device together with a second air temperature sensor 4 of the at least two air temperature sensors 4, 4. The system also comprises at least one first air velocity sensor 12 which is located within the building space 3 (i.e. indoors) and in one sensing device together with the first air temperature sensor 4 and the at least one occupancy sensor 5. The system further comprises at least one second air velocity sensor 12 which is located outside of the building space 3 (i.e. outdoors) and in one sensing device together with the air exchange device status sensor 10. Here, the building space 3 of the system comprises several desks 17, 17, 17, 17 and occupants/persons 18, 18, 18, 18 located within the building space 3. In this first system according to the invention, the controller 6 of the system is a remote controller which is connected to the local controller 7 of the HVAC system and is configured to receive weather data 13, data from a HVAC cloud 14, and sensor data 15 which is provided by a sensing manager 16.

[0083] FIG. 3 schematically shows a second system according to the invention which is identical to the first system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 with the following exception: The controller 6 of the system is special remote controller, namely a remote cloud controller.

[0084] FIG. 4 schematically shows a third system according to the invention which is identical to the first system according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 with the following exception: The controller 6 of the system is no remote controller, but a local controller 7 of the HVAC system 1, 2, 7, 19.

EXAMPLE 1FEATURES OF A SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0085] The system according to the invention can include the following features:

Connected Devices

[0086] At least one HVAC system, optionally being: [0087] a) A split HVAC system comprising an outdoor unit having a compressor, pipe and valve connections and heat exchangers, and comprising an indoor unit having an air conditioning mechanism, an air supply and return mechanism, a HVAC energy manager, a pipe and valve connections; or [0088] b) A packaged HVAC system comprising a compressor, pipe and valve connections, heat exchangers, an air conditioning mechanism, an air supply and return mechanism, a HVAC energy manager, a pipe, and valve connections.

[0089] Sensing devices, comprising: [0090] Two Temperature measuring devices (optionally more). [0091] One occupancy monitoring device (optionally more). [0092] A window opening status monitoring devices (optionally more). [0093] A measuring device for other indoor thermal environment parameters like e.g., velocity, and relative humidity (optionally more).

[0094] Sensing manager to collect and manage data from sensing devices.

[0095] Automatic windows including actuators, electric drives, etc.

Connected Software

[0096] Application programming interface (API) for HVAC systems. [0097] API for weather data. [0098] API for connected sensors data. [0099] Communication protocols for automatic window operation.

Inputs

[0100] External data like e.g. weather data (e.g. temperature, humidity, solar irradiance, etc.) [0101] Room temperature [0102] User settings like e.g. maximum and minimum temperature setpoint, active (occupied/unoccupied) and preconditioning hours. [0103] HVAC operation modes/status like e.g., heating, cooling, fan modes, etc. [0104] Sizes and location of air terminal devices (inlets and/or outlets). [0105] Location of sensors. [0106] Window open/close status. [0107] Occupancy data. [0108] Indoor space volume.

Internal Processing Components

[0109] Indoor temperature distribution monitoring system. [0110] Heating demand. [0111] Cooling demand. [0112] Occupancy monitoring system. [0113] Thermal comfort monitoring system, e.g., Predicted Mean Vote (PMV) model and Adaptive Comfort Model (ACM). [0114] HVACs operating hours monitoring system. [0115] Building management system for monitoring HVACs energy use.

Outputs

[0116] System status/operating modes, e.g. [0117] Decision of heating/cooling needs, [0118] HVAC heating/cooling modes to provide heating or cooling, [0119] HVAC Fan mode to increase mixing of air and to reduce thermal stratification in indoor spaces, and/or [0120] Automatic window operations to enable natural heating/cooling. [0121] Provide space heating from HVAC units with uniformly distributed air temperature across the targeted indoor spaces. [0122] Provide space cooling from HVAC units with uniformly distributed air temperature across the targeted indoor spaces. [0123] If conditions are suitable, use automatic windows to provide heating and cooling or to reduce temperature variations in the targeted indoor spaces. [0124] Improve thermal comfort by dynamically adjusting the setpoints prompted by thermal comfort models such as PMV and ACM. [0125] Reduce energy consumption of HVAC systems by automatic setting of temperature setpoints during the occupied, unoccupied or preconditioning hours.

EXAMPLE 2CONFIGURATIONS OF THE CONTROLLER OF THE SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0126] A configuration of the controller of the system according to the invention is shown schematically in FIGS. 1A to 1D. More details to the configuration are given below.

Control of Loop Iterations

[0127] The controller can be configured to perform an iteration of its parameters periodically and to use updated system information based on operating states of connected devices and measured variables.

[0128] Updated system information can include weather forecasts to decide heating or cooling needs, occupant centric data such as thermal comfort temperature range driven by PMV or ACM, predefined HVAC operation schedules such as active and preconditioning hours, and day of the week including information on public holidays. Active hours are a period when the HVAC system should be operating at its full capacity (=active mode of the HVAC system), whereas preconditioning hours are a period preceding the active hours to ensure the indoor spaces are slowly heated up or cooled down before occupants start occupying the space (=active preconditioning mode of the HVAC system).

Control of Setpoints

[0129] During each loop iteration, the controller can be configured to set setpoints for room temperature for heating and cooling.

[0130] The controller can be configured to set a single setpoint for both the heating mode and the cooling mode. However, it is preferred that the controller is configured to set two temperatures for the heating mode and for the cooling mode, respectively, instead of a single setpoint for each mode. To reduce energy costs, heating setpoints are preferably set to lower values in comparison to cooling set points.

[0131] The heating setpoints and cooling setpoints can respectively define a range. As an example for heating, the lower level temperature setpoint can be T.sub.heat,LL while the upper level temperature setpoint can be T.sub.heat,UL. These temperature setpoints can be fixed for the defined active (occupied/occupied) and preconditioning hours or they can be dynamic and can be changed by the controller depending on the perceived thermal comfort in the indoor spaces via PMV and/or ACM. In general, it is preferred that the heating and cooling setpoints for active-occupied hours are higher for heating and lower for cooling than their corresponding values in active-unoccupied hours.

Control Regarding Evaluation

[0132] The controller can be configured to monitor a room temperature distribution from the signals obtained from the at least two temperature sensors and to evaluate a maximum and minimum temperature of the building space. The controller can be configured to compare the measured data with predefined and fixed, or live and dynamic, setpoint temperatures to decide heating or cooling needs. Also, the controller can be configured to use the date to compute a cooling load or a heating load for energy performance monitoring.

Control of Heating and Cooling Branches

[0133] Heating and cooling branches of the HVAC system can occur in parallel and are split into two separate decision branches. This is applicable for single or multi zone building spaces. In single zone building spaces, either the heating or cooling branch operates at one time. In multi-zone spaces, either or both heating branches and/or cooling branches can operate simultaneously.

[0134] On the heating branch, the controller can be configured to monitor the minimum room temperature and to initiate a heating cycle if the room temperature is below a lower limit heating threshold.

[0135] To reduce heat losses, the controller can be configured to keep all air exchange device suitable for exchanging air between the building space and outdoors (e.g. windows) automatically closed.

[0136] If the minimum room temperature is below an upper limit threshold and the maximum room temperature is above an upper limit threshold, the controller can be configured to stop the heating and to start circulating the room air using HVAC fan mode. Air circulation helps to increase the air mixing in the building space and helps to reduce the hot and cold spots.

[0137] If both the minimum and maximum room temperatures are within the defined upper and lower threshold values, the controller can be configured to turn the HVAC system off.

[0138] If both the minimum and maximum room temperatures are above the upper threshold value, the controller can be configured to open the windows automatically, provided that outdoor air temperature is below the maximum room temperature, to allow natural cooling to bring the room temperature range within the defined threshold values. One advantage of this natural cooling is that it avoids the need for a cooling operation of the HVAC system and hence saves energy.

[0139] On the cooling branch, the controller can be configured to function in an opposite way to the heating branch.

[0140] For instance, the controller can be configured to initiate a cooling mode once the maximum room temperature is above an upper limit cooling threshold.

[0141] The controller can be configured to turn the cooling mode off and to turn the fan mode on once the maximum room temperature is above a lower limit cooling threshold and the minimum room temperature is below a lower limit cooling threshold. The temperature range at these conditions is cooler than it should be and hence a fan operation is initiated by the controller to increase the air mix and to reduce the temperature variation in the room.

[0142] If both the minimum and maximum room temperatures are below the lower threshold value, the controller can be configured to open the windows automatically, provided that outdoor air temperature is above the minimum room temperature, to allow natural heating to bring the room temperature range within the defined threshold values. The use of natural heating and cooling to reduce variation of temperatures in the room could save energy as they avoid the need for HVAC system operation in heating and/or cooling modes.

EXAMPLE 3SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH A REMOTE CONTROLLER

[0143] In this system according to the present invention, the controller of the system (master controller) is a non-local remote controller that is connected to all building's energy hardware and software including an HVAC system (e.g. a split system having an outdoor unit and indoor unit), an HVAC controller (e.g. an HVAC energy manager), a window opening mechanisms with electric drives, sensing devices (temperature, relative humidity, occupancy and window opening status monitoring, etc.) and a sensing manager, wherein weather data and building energy data is measured via API services (see FIG. 2).

[0144] The remote controller of the system is configured to exchange data with the connected hardware via API services and controls the hardware indirectly by feeding the settings into the hardware's individual controllers (slave controllers) (e.g. HVAC controller). For example, HVAC mode selection settings (heating/cooling/fan modes on/off), HVAC room temperature setpoints, and on/off mode for automatic window operation are controlled by the remote controller (master controller).

EXAMPLE 4SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH A REMOTE CLOUD CONTROLLER

[0145] In this system according to the invention, the controller of the system (master controller) is a non-local remote controller located in a cloud platform (remote cloud controller) that is connected to all building's energy hardware and software including an HVAC system (e.g. a split system having an outdoor unit and indoor unit), an HVAC controller (e.g. an HVAC energy manager), a window opening mechanisms with electric drives, sensing devices (temperature, relative humidity, occupancy and window opening status monitoring, etc.) and a sensing manager, wherein weather data and building energy data is measured via API services (see FIG. 3).

[0146] With the remote cloud controller, a dedicated system for remote control can be eliminated and the remote cloud controller (master controller) relies on at least one controller on the device level (slave, e.g. a separate controller of the HVAC system) to perform control actions.

EXAMPLE 5SYSTEM ACCORDING TO THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH A LOCAL CONTROLLER

[0147] In this system according to the invention, the controller of the system (master controller) is a local controller of the HVAC system (see FIG. 4).

[0148] In this system, all the device level controllers are eliminated by the system comprising only one single local controller. Said local controller has all the capabilities and functions needed to operate the system according to the invention.

LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND REFERENCE SIGNS

[0149] 1: outdoor unit of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; [0150] 2: indoor unit of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system; [0151] 3: building space to be air-conditioned by the HVAC system; [0152] 4, 4: air temperature sensor(s); [0153] 5: occupancy sensor; [0154] 6: controller of the system; [0155] 7: local controller of HVAC system; [0156] 8, 8, 8: air exchange device (e.g. window); [0157] 9: actor suitable for opening and closing the air exchange device (e.g. motor); [0158] 10: air exchange device status sensor for detecting an opening degree of the air exchange device; [0159] 11: air humidity sensor; [0160] 12, 12: air velocity sensor; [0161] 13: weather data; [0162] 14: HVAC cloud; [0163] 15: sensors data; [0164] 16: sensing manager; [0165] 17, 17, 17, 17: desk(s); [0166] 18; 18, 18, 18: occupant(s), i.e. person(s); [0167] 19: duct for air supply and air return of HVAC system; [0168] ACM: Adaptive comfort model; [0169] C.sub.UL,unocp: Upper limit cooling threshold in unoccupied/preconditioning period; [0170] C.sub.LL,unocp: Lower limit cooling threshold in unoccupied/preconditioning period; [0171] C.sub.UL,ocp: Upper limit cooling threshold in occupied period; [0172] C.sub.LL,ocp: Lower limit cooling threshold in occupied period; [0173] HVAC: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning; [0174] H.sub.UL,unocp: Upper limit heating threshold in unoccupied/preconditioning period; [0175] H.sub.LL,unocp: Lower limit heating threshold in unoccupied/preconditioning period; [0176] H.sub.UL,ocp: Upper limit heating threshold in occupied period; [0177] H.sub.LL,ocp: Lower limit heating threshold in occupied period; [0178] N: Decision result negative=No; [0179] PMV: Predictive mean vote; [0180] T.sub.cool,LL: Lower limit temperature setpoint for cooling; [0181] T.sub.heat,LL: Lower limit temperature setpoint for heating; [0182] T.sub.cool,UL: Upper limit temperature setpoint for cooling; [0183] T.sub.heat,UL: Upper limit temperature setpoint for heating; [0184] T.sub.r,min: Minimum room temperature; [0185] T.sub.r,max: Maximum room temperature; [0186] T.sub.amb: Ambient temperature=outdoors temperature; [0187] Y: Decision result positive=Yes.