4. Fundamental Components
• Hardware
– A thermostat that controls an HVAC unit
• Communications
– Ethernet, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, etc.
• Software
– Data collection and analysis on the backend
5. A Small, but Growing Market
• Estimate fewer than 50,000 sold per year
in US market to nonresidential facilities
– Compare with roughly 1 million standard
programmable thermostats
• Firms report sales growth 20%-50% YoY
– 10% market share in ~3 years
– 50% market share in ~10 years
6. This Could Be a Big Deal
1. Fulfill the promise of standard
programmable thermostats
2. Massively increase the available data
3. Change the relationship between the
HVAC unit and maintenance staff
4. Anchor a modular, light building
management system
8. Hardware
• A standard programmable thermostat
– One-to-one replacement
– Not for multi-zone or VAV systems
• More input and output channels
– Continuous and discrete
• Increased power needs
– Usually not a problem
9. Communications
• Thermostat to the world
– NOT thermostat to HVAC unit
• Methods
– Wi-Fi
– Ethernet
– Mesh networks
• No “best” method
10. Software
• Mostly cloud based
– On the web
– Mobile platforms
•
•
•
•
Easier to use
Remote access
Presentation of trends
Alerts
12. Controls Integration
• Methods
– Built-in connectivity (hardware)
– Open-source interoperability (communication)
– Application programming interface (software)
• Uses
– Extra inputs: discharge air temp or occupancy
– Control other equipment: lighting, electric
water heaters, plug loads…
13. Performance Management
• Improve the effectiveness of maintenance
staff
– Comfort complaints can be investigated and
rectified remotely
– Automatic alerts can catch problems before
they become complaints or damage the unit
– Regular review of trends can reveal
degradation or other problems
14. Energy Savings
• Usability makes it easier to view, set, and
maintain setpoints and schedules
• Smart recovery/staging
• More inputs (e.g., occupancy)
• More things controlled (e.g., lighting)
17. Fulfill Original Promise of SPTs
• Standard programmable thermostats
(SPTs) were kind of a disappointment
• ENERGY STAR suspended labeling
– Lack of usability
– Difficulty substantiating savings
• Advanced thermostats more usable!
• Will (hopefully) save the energy SPTs
were supposed to
18. Massively Increase Data
• Collecting, transmitting, recording 24/7
– Indoor/outdoor air, binary output controls, etc.
– Highly frequent intervals
– Never captured systematically before
• So?
– At building: better understand your equipment
– Industry: better understand use
patterns/equipment
19. Change Maintenance Staff Role
• Reduce burden on maintenance staff
– Remote investigation/triage/remedies = less
wasted time = lower cost + more time for
other projects
• New business models for HVAC contractor
– Greater transparency to unit means better,
more proactive service
– Possibility to play some of the role played by
on-site staff
20. Modular, “Light” BMS
• Thermostat is not just a thermostat
– Linchpin of software-based controls system
• Can control HVAC, lighting, plug-load, etc.
• Expansion is modular and piece meal
• Will not replace full BMS, but can act as
cheaper “down market” substitute
– Cost: $750-$1,250/thermostat (incl. labor)
22. Barriers to Adoption
• Power problems
– Mostly NOT an issue
• Communication problems
– There is always a solution that works…
– …but contractors do not understand networks
• Wringing out the value
– Features are many and complicated
– Market must grow comfortable
24. Programs Can Help
• Train installers to understand networks
– Wi-Fi and mesh
• Support growth in understanding of lesserused, value-added features
– Case studies, workshops with installers, etc.
26. Save the Dates
Apr. 29-May 1, 2013
Sept. 30-Oct. 2, 2013
Jan. 27-30, 2014
AESP’s Spring Conference
Dallas, TX
AESP’s Fall Conference
Seattle, WA
AESP’s National Conference
San Diego, CA
For more information - www.aesp.org
