Engineering HVAC 4.0 for smart buildings ​Â
Digitalization changes the way we live, work, and interact. As result it also changes the way HVAC systems are controlled. The trend to develop smart buildings changes the requirements to a buildings heating and/or cooling system as well. Danfoss is part of this HVAC transition and we call this HVAC 4.0. It is all about making buildings more intelligent to become more energy efficient, comfortable and convenient for people who spend around 90% of their time indoors. We do that by developing smart solutions that provide or use HVAC data for Active Energy Management (AEM). Via Building Management Systems (BMS) or Cloud-based solutions. Ultimately the data allows remote commissioning, predictive maintenance and optimized heating, ventilation and cooling systems.
Benefits
This is where HVAC 4.0 starts
The transition to HVAC 4.0 requires a close cooperation between many stakeholders. And in the end all of them benefit.
- End users experience personalized comfort and improved productivity
- Building owners experience operational excellence with lower costs, higher energy efficiency and increased ROI
- Specifiers and builders provide innovative solutions and reduce liabilities
- Service and maintenance turns into a fact-based, easier manageable process
New: AB-QM 4.0
Get the basics for HVAC 4.0 right with the best-in-class PICVÂ Â
HVAC 4.0
Danfoss is engineering HVAC 4.0 for smart buildings. The combination of AB-QM 4.0 and NovoCon® S actuators is a good example of the increasing digitalization in HVAC. The combination does not only establish high precision, dynamic, hydronic balancing and control. The digital actuators provide BMS with real-time HVAC data to enable Active Energy Management (AEM). Digital valve control via fieldbus also offers advantages in remote commissioning, flow setting and flushing. Continuous logging of all system data enables predictive maintenance and energy allocation. And automatically generated alarm messages support fast and accurate troubleshooting. By using smart and connected products and services, such as AB-QM 4.0 and NovoCon actuators, the energy efficiency and comfort of buildings is being optimized.
Applications
Terminal units such as fan coil units, chilled beams or radiant panels, provide heating and/or cooling in each room of a building. They require hundreds up to thousands control valves and actuators for the temperature control. Using smart, digital actuators and Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICVs) provides the buildings’ BMS with real-time HVAC data while the dynamic hydronic balancing ensures optimal energy-efficiency.
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AB-QM 4.0 Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICVs) are the successor of Danfoss AB-QM. They offer best-in-class specifications and easy installation. The scaling- and clogging resistant design secures and outstanding reliability and long lifetime. They fit to the NovoCon S digital actuators. This enables HVAC data collection for e.g. remote commissioning and predictive maintenance, resulting in a lower Total Cost of Ownership.
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With NovoCon® S Danfoss revolutionizes the way hydronic balancing and HVAC control work together. The first of its kind digital HVAC actuators are directly connected with a Building Management System (BMS). This enables System Integrators to design state-of-art, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
Air Handling Units provide the buildings with fresh air. The heating or cooling coils distribute a large amount of water. Optimizing the flows with large dimension PICVs equipped with smart digital control of supply and/or return temperatures, combined with AC-drives makes the units perform much more efficient.
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Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICVs) provide both a control functionality and dynamic balancing solution for HVAC applications. The valves eliminate flow variations occurring in variable flow systems due to pressure fluctuations at partial load conditions.
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With NovoCon® S Danfoss revolutionizes the way hydronic balancing and HVAC control work together. The first of its kind digital HVAC actuators are directly connected with a Building Management System (BMS). This enables System Integrators to design state-of-art, Internet of Things (IoT) solutions.
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This tough and savvy FC102 drive enhances pump and fan applications in building management systems, and runs outdoors in most climates.
Domestic Hot Water systems are a challenge to keep safe from legionella. Thermal balancing valves provide a safe and reliable solution. Equipped with electronic disinfection controls and connected to buildings’ BMS the data is easy to use for remote monitoring and preventive actions.
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MTCV Thermal balancing valves provide a dynamic, temperature based, balancing solution for drinking water applications. Combined with the CCR2+ a smart and energy-efficient electronic control solution for monitoring and disinfecting DHW systems is established.
Energy meters and corresponding electronic monitoring solutions can provide accurate data about flows and energy consumption from various parts of a buildings’ HVAC system. Being able to fairly allocate energy costs over different users in a building becomes increasingly important, e.g. via European EED regulations.
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Danfoss Sono® ultrasonic energy meters can be used to identify what amount of heating or cooling energy a house, apartment or building has consumed. These compact meters include an energy calculator to read out the consumption. Danfoss offers meters for heating and cooling applications, for primary and secondary side installation.
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Danfoss Sono® is not only about ultrasonic energy meters. To read out the measured energy consumption there are different options. The Automatic Meter Reading solutions simplify things a lot and can even establish a cloud-based smart metering solution.
Case stories
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Building: Office
Application: Hydronic balancing and remote control of 4-pipe heating/cooling change-over system
Challenge: Ensure a flexible to use HVAC system with DGNB sustainability certification
Solution: Digital NovoCon actuator combined with AB-QM control valves and NovoCon CO6 combined with ChangeOver6 as a combination balance the system hydronically, allow remote access via a BMS and control the room temperatures during both heating and cooling operation. -
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Katowice Business Centre is a modern office building where Danfoss hydronic balancing solutions are used; AB-QM balancing and control valves in combination with revolutionary NovoCon® actuators.
Solutions
Learn more about our offering for Commercial buildings
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Ventilation, air conditioning and indoor air quality (IAQ) are top priorities when ensuring the comfort and safety of passengers and staff - including fire safety. Danfoss AC drives increase precision, save energy and extend application lifetime of the entire HVAC system.
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Danfoss solutions help the full range of data centers reach high power usage effectiveness and energy reuse factor, while supporting reliably high uptime. Our offerings include solutions for cooling, fire safety, power distribution, and heat reuse and recovery.
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Ensure patient and staff comfort and safety in operation rooms and wards.
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The hotel industry is a highly competitive sector where margins are constantly under pressure. The service towards guests must remain on a high level to hold the hotels' reputation. Saving energy is a key-differentiator. Danfoss offers comfort increasing HVAC solutions which help reduce the energy consumption.
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The ways office buildings are used is changing fast. Trends such as smart offices, digitalization and flexible work stations require adaptations in the technical aspects as well. Optimal indoor comfort for workers is essential. Danfoss offers comfort-increasing and energy-saving HVAC solutions.
