Automation and Controls For HVAC Systems

Under most industrial conditions, you wouldn’t get through the day without a good HVAC system. It takes care of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning throughout your premises and makes the working conditions more bearable for everyone.

HVAC control systems ensure that your HVAC continues to operate optimally. They control and regulate the programmable functions in various ways from pneumatic to electronic and digital.

The control system you choose will usually be based on the type of HVAC system you have. Learn more about them in this guide to HVAC control systems.

What Are HVAC Control Systems?

HVAC refers to heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

There are different types of HVAC systems, including split, hybrid split, and even duct-free systems. But regardless of the type of HVAC setup you have, you still need to control its various functions.

An HVAC control system includes automated equipment or mechanisms that control these HVAC actions. This includes regulating the ambient temperature, humidity levels, air quality, and also the airflow.

Common HVAC Systems

A duct-free HVAC system has multiple individual units for cooling and heating, linked to an external compressor.

Split HVAC systems have both indoor and outdoor units for heating and cooling and may be ducted or not. 

Hybrid split systems can run on two different energy sources for heating.

There are also all-in-one packaged AC solutions for more compact spaces.

Creative Control Options For HVAC Systems

There are many ways to approach your HVAC control needs, but these are the four most common HVAC control systems in use today.

Pneumatic Controls

Pneumatic controls are the most common HVAC control systems, using sensors and controllers to maintain a comfortable environment and save energy.

Pneumatic control systems are powered pneumatically by compressed air. They are easy to install and maintain, and generally much cheaper than electronic controls. Unfortunately, this saving comes at a price, as they are not as accurate as other control systems.

Analog Electronic Controls

Electronic control systems are electrically powered and are favored when more precision is needed. Analog electronic control systems control the various components of an HVAC system through electrical signals.

With analog electronic controls, you can monitor your HVAC system’s performance and make any necessary adjustments. They are usually quite reliable and any problems that arise are easy to troubleshoot.

Digital Electronic Controls

Direct Digital Control (DDC) systems are electronic HVAC control systems that transmit information via the Internet. All DDC control systems can remotely control and monitor your HVAC, but the more modern ones include analysis options.

DDC controls use computerized algorithms to control the HVAC system’s different components. They are also very precise and offer excellent energy efficiency.

Smart HVAC Control Solutions

Since the introduction of Smart technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), Smart control systems are becoming more popular for all types of applications. This includes HVAC system control.

It’s also fairly easy to introduce this control system, with a Smart thermostat to control your ducted HVAC or a Smart AC controller for ductless HVAC control.

Smart controls offer added advantages like automated HVAC settings based on preferred schedules or room occupancy. Thanks to IoT capabilities,you can easily connect these HVAC controls to other Smart devices for maximum convenience.

Using the latest machine learning and cloud computing innovations, they use less energy and require less maintenance than other HVAC control systems.

How HVAC Controls Improve The Work Environment

• With a Variable Frequency Drive (VDF), dampers, and valves, a PLC can command an HVAC to maintain a specific airflow or temperature. This will protect your more sensitive equipment from failure and malfunction.

• Ambient temperature and humidity can affect your workers’ comfort levels, and ultimately their performance on the job. By controlling the temperature, airflow, and humidity, you improve their working conditions.

• Allergens and pollutants are a common problem in the air around us, and this is even more of an issue in the industrial environment. By improving the indoor air quality, workers can breathe more freely and the risk of contaminants entering your sensitive equipment is reduced.

• When you switch to more efficient HVAC controls, you improve the operation of your HVAC equipment. The need for maintenance is reduced, and you’ll see savings in energy too. Therefore efficient HVAC controls save you time and money long-term.

Conclusion

By controlling air quality, temperature, humidity, and airflow, HVAC systems make work environments better. But to get the most out of your HVAC, you need the right controls. At AEC, we have the expertise in electrical control systems you can rely on.

As a licensed ETL508A panel building shop, we can supply all your electrical and automated control panel needs. Contact us today and make your equipment more practical and efficient, with the best automated controls.