Poll

I'd like to see some innovation in:

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Additional sensors for dynamic HVAC (Score: 1)

by billshooterofbul@pipedot.org on 2015-08-17 15:10 (#HMQZ)

Its really sad how expensive a quality HVAC thermostat system is. I found one Honeywell system that would actually maybe kinda do something smart, but it would be in the thousands of dollars price point, and intended for commercial applications.

What is needed is:

A system of thermostats that all talk to each other and wirelessly control floor vents. So if the room where the thermostat is is not representative of the whole house, additional thermostats can be paired to give the system more data points to consider. With optional computer controlled vents, the system can further be optimized.

This was my hope for Nest. But years later, there has been no improvement. there is no algorithm that will solve a problem for which there is only incomplete input data.

Re: Additional sensors for dynamic HVAC (Score: 2, Insightful)

by evilviper@pipedot.org on 2015-08-17 17:00 (#HN2R)

A system of thermostats that all talk to each other and wirelessly control floor vents.
Maybe I misunderstand your idea, but it sounds like you want an ultra-high-tech system that can be more easily solved by an inexpensive low-tech one. Much like those smartphone controlled LED lights, when a switch or motion-sensor does the job just as well...

It's very easy and not too expensive to slice-up a home HVAC system into multiple zones that work independently. You can have a fairly low-tech (possibly wireless) thermostats in several rooms, if you so desire, controlling the damper for that zone. What's more, inexpensive mini-split systems are naturally zoned this way, too.

And that's more-expensive and more complex than most homes need... A wireless thermostat that can be put in the coldest or warmest room of the house is cheap, and basic mechanical dampers can be used to reduce the airflow in other rooms/zones which heat/cool more quickly.

Re: Additional sensors for dynamic HVAC (Score: 1)

by bryan@pipedot.org on 2015-08-17 17:39 (#HN6N)

Maybe I misunderstand your idea, but it sounds like you want an ultra-high-tech system that can be more easily solved by an inexpensive low-tech one.
Indeed. Instead of investing in an expensive and complex set of electronics, upgrade the underlying physical system instead. When upgrading my own house, my first instinct was to "make it smart" with fancy thermostats, multiple zones, and plenty of monitoring. However, after weighing my options, I realized far greater gains can be made by simply buying a correctly sized efficient HVAC system. My new system is twice as efficient (26 seer vs 13 seer) and performs much better than any amount of electronic trickery could have acomplished.

Re: Additional sensors for dynamic HVAC (Score: 1)

by billshooterofbul@pipedot.org on 2015-08-17 19:55 (#HNJ5)

Indeed. Instead of investing in an expensive and complex set of electronics,
I don't think it should be expensive or complex. I think it should be stupid simple. and require no more skill and no more cost than installing a smoke alarm. It doesn't need a google sized data center to process temp info... Heck a raspberry pi would be overkill in terms of processing power.

The office I work in now, is a credit to how terrible professional systems can be.

Also of note, My existing system is already highly efficient. For my personal needs I want this change due to comfort rather than cost. The temp of the current area the thermostat is in isn't representative of the whole house at all times. Maybe if I replaced the windows, added a whole house fan, and an attic fan, that would help as well. But the cost effective solution probably isn't a new HVAC system.

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2015-08-17 19:55
Indeed. Instead of investing in an expensive and complex set of electronics,
I don't think it should be expensive or complex. I think it should be stupid simple. and require no more skill and no more cost than installing a smoke alarm. It doesn't need a google sized data center to process temp info... Heck a raspberry pi would be overkill in terms of processing power.

The office I work in now, is a credit to how terrible professional systems can be.

Also of note, My existing system is already highly efficient. For my personal needs I want this change due to comfort rather than cost. The temp of the current area the thermostat is in isn't representative of the whole house at all times. Maybe if I replaced the windows, added a whole house fan, and an attic fan, that would help as well. But the cost effective solution probably isn't a new HVAC system.

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