Too Hot/Too Cold: New HVAC wireless micro-zone technology

[ocbadger]

There is a new technology from Innovation-by-Design/Tustin, CA that addresses the too hot/too cold syndrome found in alot of office/building environments by allowing temperature control at the register level. This capability is called Micro-Zoning.

So instead of having 1 thermostat control say, 5, 10 registers and the resultant over heating/over cooling, each register can now be controlled individually, thus more efficient and lower energy consumption.

The system is wireless (from register back to controller). The controller for retrofit apps simply replaces the existng thermostats (no added wiring; just re-connect). Each controller can handle up to 35 registers.

Registers are self-powered (ie, no batteries required) via a turbine generator installed in the duct leading up to the register and include an associated gate/damper for controlling air flow and a jewell-like infrared temperature sensor. Temperatures can be set via previously mentioned 5-button LCD controller or the Internet via PC or PDA.

www.innovation-by-design.com

[viceman]

not so new. thermafusers have been around for awhile and so have the ones with the remote controls. i have seen these work pretty well but they aint cheap.

[ocbadger]

Yes, but not wireless, self-powered, web-enabled, with extensive data logging, and affordable,ie, 1/2 to 1/3 of anything else out there, be it wired or wireless.


not so new. thermafusers have been around for awhile and so have the ones with the remote controls. i have seen these work pretty well but they aint cheap.

[viceman]

my bad. i just reread your post. sorry i missed the cool stuff the first time.

are you a rep ?

[ocbadger]

No Problem. Direct from the mfg.:)


my bad. i just reread your post. sorry i missed the cool stuff the first time.

are you a rep ?

[sysint]

my bad. i just reread your post. sorry i missed the cool stuff the first time.

are you a rep ?A 2 poster on a mission and you ask if he's a rep? He's at the very least a rep if not the manufacturer. ..... which is why he should be much more forthcoming. Right now he can go into the ALC toilet. They do this misleading stuff too.

[viceman]

A 2 poster on a mission and you ask if he's a rep? He's at the very least a rep if not the manufacturer. ..... which is why he should be much more forthcoming. Right now he can go into the ALC toilet. They do this misleading stuff too.

some of us are subtle, some of us aren't :D


but seriously sysint, how do you really feel ?

[ocbadger]

I was not trying to hide anything.


A 2 poster on a mission and you ask if he's a rep? He's at the very least a rep if not the manufacturer. ..... which is why he should be much more forthcoming. Right now he can go into the ALC toilet. They do this misleading stuff too.

[amigo]

I was not trying to hide anything.
I think you need to read the forum rules first

[ctrlguy]

Wow, the answer to all my temperature control problems at long last. Again.

[orion242]

Ditto….

>instead of having 1 thermostat control say, 5, 10 registers and the resultant over heating/over cooling

Translation - turn 1 problem into 5 or 10. 5 or 10 times parts, maintenance, confusion, and failures and at a lower cost to boot!

[codewriter]

Ugly as all sin, but not bad for what it is...

[orion242]

Didn't bother to follow the link thinking this was a commercial market device. Giving it the benefit of the doubt….

Still I'm not seeing how a $440 damper and sensor is any cheaper than a traditional zone damper and stat. Wire install is pretty cheap in these markets and zone dampers are extremely cheap for this app.

How does your system account for reduced airflow and keeping the furnace from tripping limits. Another $400+ bypass damper??

IR temp sensor are a nice touch, I still think the whole system could be hardwired for a fraction of the cost.

What kind of pressure drop is introduced from these dampers?

Wait a minute....

Better yet, how many of these systems have you installed?

Your website is not even complete yet...

Where are the:
Downloadable manuals
Distributors…are there any?!?!

MY BAD!!! here is a distributor!

bob bob
alsdjh adsjh

san diego, CA 92222

Phone: 3932223939
Fax: 3932223939
Email: bob@bob.com
URL: www.fof.com


Funny how your product is not listed on the energy star website....sure that stat has approval for that logo...

The 18 and over age check to become a dealer is a good idea. Damn snot nose kids always farf up the controls.

Never mind I’ll stick with my original post. Let us know when you have >100 satisfied customers. I’m sure bob bob on track to have that done this month.

[ocbadger]

Thanks for your reply:

One controller (thermostat) controls up to 35 registers and with each register having its own individual or unique setpoint. Thus, we have what is called micro-zoning. As opposed to 1 thermostat for say 5 or 10, or more registers with one setpoint (or all having the same).

Maintenance: For each register, other than a cat 5 cable, a mechanical turbine generator, a damper, and infrared sensor, that's it. No wiring involved from each register back to controller. Remember, it's wireless. And controller (digital LCD) just replaces existing thermostat (if retrofit) so it makes use of wiring already in place.

This technology is designed to be an enhancement to what's there already, what we could call just zoning. Thus, micro-zoning=temp control at the register level.



Ditto….

>instead of having 1 thermostat control say, 5, 10 registers and the resultant over heating/over cooling

Translation - turn 1 problem into 5 or 10. 5 or 10 times parts, maintenance, confusion, and failures and at a lower cost to boot!

[leaflying]

Some features are pretty cool.

I'll second the question of orion242 "What kind of pressure drop is introduced from these dampers?"

The case study on the site is somewhat misleading. Only because of your devices, 4 RTUs with 11 ton total cooling capacity (4400cfm) will be replaced by a 5 ton unit (2000cfm)?

[cacontrolgirl]

Downloadable manuals..jeeze, you guys want documentation? Tough crowd....

[ocbadger]

The pressure drop is nominal or minimal.

The case study, while an extreme example (and an actual application), shows what can be done based on register usage (demand).

Some areas with low demand or infrequent usage had their own packaged air unit. This was overkill.

Thus, those units were taken offline and just the 5 ton unit was kept as only 7 of the 13 registers were in some sort of constant usage. The monthly electric bill went from $700 to $310.


Some features are pretty cool.

I'll second the question of orion242 "What kind of pressure drop is introduced from these dampers?"

The case study on the site is somewhat misleading. Only because of your devices, 4 RTUs with 11 ton total cooling capacity (4400cfm) will be replaced by a 5 ton unit (2000cfm)?