© 2020 Climate Automation Systems

August 23, 2020

ENV HVAC Control System

Overview

Developed by Climate Automation Systems (CAS), ENV is a HVAC Control System in use across the US and Canada to Manage and Control all HVAC operations within high-end Residential and Commercial buildings. ENV stands out among its competitors because of its extensive trove of features and functions, can be implemented in any complex HVAC environment, and can communicate with and control any HVAC hardware types and brands.

ENV’s primary goal is:

• Reducing energy consumption• Increasing wellbeing and comfort• Controlling a finely tuned trouble-free HVAC system

Challenges and Goals

• Integrate all systems, air and hydronic: Typically there are multiple HVAC mechanical contractors, one for the air side and a second for the hydronic side. So, there is no overall coordination between control systems. Two thermostats in every zone? Who’s on first?

• Eliminate expensive control hardware: Vintage systems have made use of relays and pneumatics for control of the hardware devices. With DDC controls, on the wall controls boxes were everywhere. Wiring is a mess, a spider web of confusion.

• Provide commissioning tools: Commissioning of complex interrelated systems is complex, labor intensive, and expensive, most often requiring multiple technicians to complete. “The boiler came on, but the water pump isn’t running. Where’s my voltmeter?”

Challenges and Goals

• Implementing a complex Sequence of Operations (SOO): The Mechanical Engineer defines the SSO, the Mechanical Contractor (MC) provides the hardware, and the client says we want to be comfortable at all times and minimize the use of energy. There is no SOO that ENV cannot implement.

• Retrofit commercial or residential buildings: The predominate problem is how to get new wires from here to there, control currently installed systems, or replace old systems with new systems. In most cases WI-FI or wireless devices can be used.

• Radiant Heating and Cooling: Monitors dewpoint to prevent moisture on radiant cooling slabs. Manages dual hot and cold tanks to heat and cool zones simultaneously.

What is ENV

• Computer based control system: ENV runs on a powerful PC located within the building. It monitors, manages, and controls the entire HVAC operation and all associated hardware devices: thermostats, sensors, air and ground source heat pumps, boilers, chillers, VAVs, fan coils, valves, domestic hot water, buffer tanks, solar panels, commercial induction units, snowmelt, swimming pools, wine cellars, and radiant heating and cooling systems.

• Coordinates air and hydronic systems: Since radiant systems produce the most comfort for less cost than air systems, in certain situations additional heat or cool is required. So, ENV prioritizes radiant but engages air as the need arises. For example after a full setback or a major change in the load.

What is ENV

• Browser based interface: Access to the ENV Master is via a web browser, smart phone, or tablet. Anyone any place in the world with the valid passwords, can monitor the system, change setpoints or mode, respond to alerts, change SOO rules, enable or disable devices, view reports and graphs, etc. Service contractors can resolve most issue from the comfort of their office.

• Universal: ENV is relevant for any project from a 10+ zone residence to a multi-storied condo or commercial building.

• Health and well-being: Monitors Indoor Air Quality, CO2, and humidity, and notifies user about alert conditions.

• Energy Reduction: Monitors KWH usage, implements zone and device schedules, and selects the most efficient combination of heat sources to maintain comfort and reduce energy consumption.

What is ENV

• No proprietary programming required: ENV provides a host of preprogrammed functions called Control Devices (CD). The SOO can be defined using various CD wizards. Conditional definitions provide methods to send alerts or execute Macros. Climate Automation Systems typically configures the CD(s) based on the SOO, but they can also be configured by the MC. Skilled expensive programmers are never required.

• Data storage and reporting: Using a robust SQL Server data base ENV stores data from all of the devices it monitors. This data is displayed by real-time monitors, on charts and graphs, and on Excel spreadsheets. These tools can be used to analyze performance, determine problem conditions, and to fine-tune the system.

What is ENV

• NOAA and Canadian Weather: ENV interfaces real-time to NOAA and Canadian Weather. Using this data ENV can adjust buffer tank temperature in anticipation of significant temperature swings. This eliminates under and overshooting the required slab temperature which in turn causes discomfort for the occupants.

• Snowmelt: ENV can manage snowmelt applications that have a few or many snowmelt zones. By prioritizing zones and using the weather forecast, the system can automatically preheat zones based on the probability of the actual snow event. By warming the slab ahead of time and prioritizing zones, boiler sizes can be reduced resulting in significant energy savings.

• Communications: ENV supports most methods of communications including BACNet, Modbus, TCP/IP, COMM, WI-FI, Z-Wave, and direct wired. ENV can therefore interface to most brands of hardware and thermostats.

•

Load Balancing

12 ton load

4 ton

3 ton

5 ton

6 ton

8 ton

Load Balancing algorithm: Using machine learning techniques, ENV determines that the current load

cannot be satisfied and selects the smallest number of units and the least used to satisfy the load. In

this example the 8 and 6 ton units would be selected even though the 5, 4, 3 ton units exactly equal the

required load. As the temperature approaches the setpoint, units are dropped off using the same rules.

ENV HVAC Master Controller

ENV Master Controller: interfaces to all HVAC

hardware systems and devices to create a

smooth-running and efficient environment.

Boilers Heat PumpsInduction Units

Pumps

SensorsAir Handlers

Thermostats

Valves

Manifolds

ENV Master Control Cabinet

• Temperature sensors

• Humidity sensors

• CO and CO2 sensors

• Ice and snow sensors

• Relays

• Actuators

• Flow meters

• Mixing and Diverting Valves

• KWH counters

• Any analog or relay device

All sensor and

control wires

homerun into the

cabinet eliminating

all on-the-wall-

control devices

ENV PC and I/O

Block Cabinet

Animated Dashboards

Graphical Zone Scheduling

Data Charts, Real-time Monitoring, & Spreadsheets

Quick Access Notated Mechanical Plans