Meet our esteemed client, one of the world’s leading research universities, renowned for its academic excellence. With a vast community of 1,000 faculty members, 12,000 students, and 30,000 staff, this institution spans 158 buildings and offers over 200 academic majors. CopperTree Analytics deployed its cutting-edge Fault Detection and Diagnostic platform (Kaizen) to optimize the university’s HVAC system and drive the institution towards its sustainability goals.
Three buildings with a combined area of 300000 square feet were assigned to CopperTree Analytics to conduct FDD analysis on their HVAC systems. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the analytics are designed to optimize equipment performance, implement preventative maintenance, and achieve energy savings. A fault detection and diagnosis (FDD) platform from CopperTree enabled this. Continual Managed Services (MS) meetings were conducted with the university’s energy management staff in order to streamline the process, verify savings and improve it further.
It only took a few weeks to discover many small to severe faults occurring in buildings following the integration of BAS and CopperTree’s standard ruleset implementation. Of all the insights, the most prioritized insight was that VAV unoccupied CFM setpoints are the same as the occupied setpoints. The existing 53 VAV system in the building operated with the same CFM setpoint during both occupied and unoccupied periods, leading to unnecessary energy consumption. CopperTree Analytics identified this as an opportunity to optimize the HVAC system by proposing the implementation of occupied and unoccupied CFM setpoints. The aim was to align the ventilation rates with the actual occupancy in each zone and reduce energy waste during unoccupied periods.
The Building Application Engineer at CopperTree Analytics advised to lower CFM based on Heating valve operation, in result:
- Adjusted CFM setpoints reduced energy use during unoccupied periods by minimizing airflow and fan energy.
- The VAV system improved comfort and indoor air quality with appropriate ventilation during occupied periods.
- CFM setpoint adaptation enhanced system efficiency, reducing wear and tear and prolonging lifespan.
- Energy savings resulted in reduced utility costs and positive return on investment.
- Overall, the adjustments led to energy reduction, improved comfort, enhanced efficiency, and financial savings.
This case study demonstrates the positive impact of adjusting CFM setpoints in a VAV system using occupied and unoccupied settings. By optimizing ventilation rates based on occupancy, significant energy savings were achieved during unoccupied periods, while maintaining occupant comfort during occupied periods. The implementation of such energy-efficient strategies, guided by data analytics platforms like CopperTree Analytics, presents a valuable approach for improving the overall sustainability and efficiency of HVAC systems in commercial buildings.
