Multi-Temperature Regulation System Operating at Once
On October 15, 2018, an issue was identified with an Air Handling Unit (AHU) at an unspecified location. The preheat coil valve in the AHU was leaking when signaled closed, causing the preheat discharge temperature to exceed 40 degrees of the required temperature. This issue resulted in excess heating and cooling costs before repair.
Thankfully, the problem did not cause discomfort in the occupied spaces due to proper temperature control. However, it was detected by Analytika, a building analytics system that continuously monitors equipment performance metrics like temperature, pressure, and flow rate in real time.
Cimetrics, a controls vendor, collaborated to repair the leaking preheat coil valve. The repair led to a reduction in the usage of cooling and heating energy, resulting in savings on both cooling and heating costs. The solution implemented by Cimetrics is learnable through Analytika, providing a valuable lesson in energy efficiency.
The excessive heating led to the simultaneous opening of the cooling coil valve to maintain the final supply air temperature at 55°F, resulting in further excess heating and cooling costs. By fixing the leak, the heating system no longer had to overwork, and the cooling coil valve was no longer needed to compensate, leading to additional energy savings.
Building analytics, such as those provided by Analytika, play a crucial role in identifying and resolving issues like a leaking preheat coil valve. These systems detect anomalies instantly and send alerts to maintenance staff, enabling proactive fault detection and timely repairs before major energy waste occurs.
Sensor data and automation also allow HVAC systems to run only as needed for occupancy and environmental conditions, preventing constant overcooling or overheating caused by faulty components. This fine-tuning leads to significant energy savings — sensor-based HVAC zoning can reduce energy use by 20–40%.
By integrating analytics, remote monitoring, and predictive maintenance, building operators can minimise downtime, extend equipment life, and save on cooling and heating costs through early issue detection and more efficient HVAC operation overall.
The repair of the leaking preheat coil valve resulted in appropriate temperatures at all sensor locations, ensuring the comfort of the occupants and the efficiency of the HVAC system. The repair also led to energy savings of $93,340, demonstrating the importance of prompt and effective maintenance.
- The issue with the Air Handling Unit (AHU) on October 15, 2018, was identified by a building analytics system, Analytika, which monitors technology like temperature and flow rate in real time.
- Building analytics, such as those offered by Analytika, utilize technology to detect anomalies instantly and send alerts to maintenance staff, enabling proactive fault detection and timely repairs, thus preventing major energy waste.
