The Experts below are selected from a list of 40437 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Seunghoon Han - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Thermostat strategies impact on energy consumption in residential buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2011Co-Authors: Jin Woo Moon, Seunghoon HanAbstract:Abstract This paper identifies the impact of Thermostat strategies on heating and cooling energy consumptions in buildings, thus suggesting the importance of a database for understanding the effect of Thermostat settings and for deciding energy-conscious strategies. Using computer simulation, diverse Thermostat strategies – change of setback period, change of set-point temperature, and change of setback temperature – were tested parametrically in a typical USA single-family homes, located in two climate zones, namely cold (Detroit, Michigan) and hot-humid (Miami, Florida). Analysis revealed that heating and cooling systems were significant energy-consuming components in each climate zone. Accordingly, heating energy in cold climate zones and cooling energy in hot-humid climate zones have potential for matchingly significant saving. Diverse Thermostat strategies (changes of setback period, of set-point, of setback temperature) demonstrated their obvious impacts on such saving. In the cold climate in particular, the heating system showed the most significant energy-saving effect via proper Thermostat strategies. Proper setback period, set-point and setback temperature need to be established to achieve energy efficiency in residential buildings.
Pouria Ahmadi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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smart residential load reduction via fuzzy logic wireless sensors and smart grid incentives
Energy and Buildings, 2015Co-Authors: Azim Keshtkar, Siamak Arzanpour, Fazel Keshtkar, Pouria AhmadiAbstract:Abstract The incentives such as demand response (DR) programs, time-of-use (TOU) and real-time pricing (RTP) are applied by utilities to encourage customers to reduce their load during peak load hours. However, it is usually a hassle for residential customers to manually respond to prices that vary over time. In this paper, a fuzzy logic approach (FLA) utilizing wireless sensors and smart grid incentives for load reduction in residential HVAC systems is presented. Programmable communicating Thermostats (PCTs) are used to control residential HVAC systems in order to manage and reduce energy use, while consumers accommodate their everyday schedules. Hence, the FLA is embedded into existing PCTs to augment more intelligence to them for load reduction, while maintaining thermal comfort. To emulate an actual Thermostat, a PCT capable of handling both TOU and RTP is simulated in Matlab/GUI. It is utilized as a ‘simulator engine’ to evaluate the performance of FLA via applying several different scenarios. The results show that the FLA decreases/increases the initialized set points without jeopardizing thermal comfort by applying specific fuzzy rules through evaluating the information received from wireless sensors and smart grid incentives. Our approach results in better energy and cost saving in residential buildings versus existing PCT.
Azim Keshtkar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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an adaptive fuzzy logic system for residential energy management in smart grid environments
Applied Energy, 2017Co-Authors: Azim Keshtkar, Siamak ArzanpourAbstract:Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems represent a significant portion of total residential energy consumption in North America. Programmable Thermostats are being used broadly for automatic control of residential HVAC systems while users initialize their everyday schedules and preferences. The main aim of smart grid initiatives such as time-varying prices is to encourage consumers to reduce their consumption during high electricity demand. However, it is usually a hassle to residential customers to manually re-programme their Thermostats in response to dynamic electricity prices or environmental conditions that vary over time. In addition, the lack of energy management systems such as Thermostats capable of learning autonomously and adapting to users’ schedule and preference changes are major obstacles of existing Thermostats in order to save energy and optimally benefit from smart grid initiatives. To address these problems, in this paper an adaptable autonomous energy management solution for residential HVAC systems is presented. Firstly, an autonomous Thermostat utilizing a synergy of Supervised Fuzzy Logic Learning (SFLL), wireless sensors capabilities, and dynamic electricity pricing is developed. In the cases that the user may override the decision made by autonomous system, an Adaptive Fuzzy Logic Model (AFLM) is developed in order to detect, learn, and adapt to new user’s preferences. Moreover, to emulate a flexible residential building, a ‘house energy simulator’ equipped with HVAC system, Thermostat and smart meter is developed in Matlab-GUI. The results show that the developed autonomous Thermostat can adjust the set point temperatures of the day without any interaction from its user while saving energy and cost without jeopardizing user’s thermal comfort. In addition, the results demonstrate that if any change(s) occurs to user’s schedules and preferences, the developed AFLM learns and adapts to new modifications while not ignoring energy conservation aspects.
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smart residential load reduction via fuzzy logic wireless sensors and smart grid incentives
Energy and Buildings, 2015Co-Authors: Azim Keshtkar, Siamak Arzanpour, Fazel Keshtkar, Pouria AhmadiAbstract:Abstract The incentives such as demand response (DR) programs, time-of-use (TOU) and real-time pricing (RTP) are applied by utilities to encourage customers to reduce their load during peak load hours. However, it is usually a hassle for residential customers to manually respond to prices that vary over time. In this paper, a fuzzy logic approach (FLA) utilizing wireless sensors and smart grid incentives for load reduction in residential HVAC systems is presented. Programmable communicating Thermostats (PCTs) are used to control residential HVAC systems in order to manage and reduce energy use, while consumers accommodate their everyday schedules. Hence, the FLA is embedded into existing PCTs to augment more intelligence to them for load reduction, while maintaining thermal comfort. To emulate an actual Thermostat, a PCT capable of handling both TOU and RTP is simulated in Matlab/GUI. It is utilized as a ‘simulator engine’ to evaluate the performance of FLA via applying several different scenarios. The results show that the FLA decreases/increases the initialized set points without jeopardizing thermal comfort by applying specific fuzzy rules through evaluating the information received from wireless sensors and smart grid incentives. Our approach results in better energy and cost saving in residential buildings versus existing PCT.
Jin Woo Moon - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Thermostat strategies impact on energy consumption in residential buildings
Energy and Buildings, 2011Co-Authors: Jin Woo Moon, Seunghoon HanAbstract:Abstract This paper identifies the impact of Thermostat strategies on heating and cooling energy consumptions in buildings, thus suggesting the importance of a database for understanding the effect of Thermostat settings and for deciding energy-conscious strategies. Using computer simulation, diverse Thermostat strategies – change of setback period, change of set-point temperature, and change of setback temperature – were tested parametrically in a typical USA single-family homes, located in two climate zones, namely cold (Detroit, Michigan) and hot-humid (Miami, Florida). Analysis revealed that heating and cooling systems were significant energy-consuming components in each climate zone. Accordingly, heating energy in cold climate zones and cooling energy in hot-humid climate zones have potential for matchingly significant saving. Diverse Thermostat strategies (changes of setback period, of set-point, of setback temperature) demonstrated their obvious impacts on such saving. In the cold climate in particular, the heating system showed the most significant energy-saving effect via proper Thermostat strategies. Proper setback period, set-point and setback temperature need to be established to achieve energy efficiency in residential buildings.
Alan Meier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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s 4 product design framework a gamification strategy based on type 1 and 2 fuzzy logic
International Conference on Software Maintenance, 2019Co-Authors: Juana Isabel Mendez, Alan Meier, Therese Peffer, Pedro Ponce, Omar Mata, Arturo MolinaAbstract:Connected Thermostats control the HVAC in buildings by adjusting the setpoint temperatures without losing the comfort temperature. These devices consider end user profiles, preferences, and schedules to reduce electrical energy consumption. However, users are reluctant to use connected Thermostats due to behavior and usability problems with the interfaces or the product. Typically, users do not use connected Thermostats correctly, which can lead to increased rather than decreased electrical consumption. Thus, the S4 product concept is emerging as a strategy and framework to design functional prototypes to provide user-friendly sensing, smart, sustainable, and social features. An S4 product enables communication between products and between products and end users. Such communication can provide better understanding of the type of consumer who uses the product. Gamification and serious games are emerging as a strategy to shape human behavior to achieve goals; however, such strategies are not applied to product design. Fuzzy logic can be applied to human reasoning and has been used in intelligent systems based on if-then rules. Nevertheless, to the best of our knowledge, applying a gamification strategy based on fuzzy logic to develop an S4 connected Thermostat has not been studied previously. Therefore, a framework that integrates gamification and serious games elements using fuzzy logic is proposed to develop a tailored gamification human machine interface. Thus, the proposed framework could tackle the behavior and usability problems of connected Thermostats to teach, engage, and motivate end users to become energy aware, thereby reducing electrical consumption.
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Facilitating energy savings with programmable Thermostats: evaluation and guidelines for the Thermostat user interface
Ergonomics, 2012Co-Authors: Therese Peffer, Cecilia Aragon, Daniel Perry, Marco Pritoni, Alan MeierAbstract:Thermostats control heating and cooling in homes – representing a major part of domestic energy use – yet, poor ergonomics of these devices has thwarted efforts to reduce energy consumption. Theoretically, programmable Thermostats can reduce energy by 5–15%, but in practice little to no savings compared to manual Thermostats are found. Several studies have found that programmable Thermostats are not installed properly, are generally misunderstood and have poor usability. After conducting a usability study of programmable Thermostats, we reviewed several guidelines from ergonomics, general device usability, computer–human interfaces and building control sources. We analysed the characteristics of Thermostats that enabled or hindered successfully completing tasks and in a timely manner. Subjects had higher success rates with Thermostat displays with positive examples of guidelines, such as visibility of possible actions, consistency and standards, and feedback. We suggested other guidelines that seemed miss...
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How people use Thermostats in homes: A review
Building and Environment, 2011Co-Authors: Therese Peffer, Alan Meier, Cecilia Aragon, Marco Pritoni, Daniel PerryAbstract:Abstract Residential Thermostats control a substantial portion of both fuel and electrical energy—9% of the total energy consumption in the U.S. Consumers install programmable Thermostats to save energy, yet numerous recent studies found that homes with programmable Thermostats can use more energy than those controlled manually depending on how—or if—they are used. At the same time, Thermostats are undergoing a dramatic increase in capability and features, including control of ventilation, responding to electricity price signals, and interacting with a home area network. These issues warrant a review of the current state of Thermostats, evaluating their effectiveness in providing thermal comfort and energy savings, and identifying areas for further improvement or research. This review covers the evolution in technologies of residential Thermostats; we found few standards and many features. We discuss studies of how people currently use Thermostats, finding that nearly half do not use the programming features. The review covers the complications associated with using a Thermostat. Finally, we suggest research needed to design—and especially test with users—Thermostats that can provide more comfortable and economical indoor environments.
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Usability of residential Thermostats: Preliminary investigations
Building and Environment, 2011Co-Authors: Alan Meier, Cecilia Aragon, Therese Peffer, Daniel Perry, Marco PritoniAbstract:Abstract Residential Thermostats control 9% of the total energy use in the United States and similar amounts in most developed countries; however, the details of how people use them have been largely ignored. Five parallel investigations related to the usability of residential Thermostats were undertaken. No single investigation was representative of the whole population, but each gave insights into different groups or usage patterns. Personal interviews revealed widespread misunderstanding of Thermostat operation. The on-line surveys found that most Thermostats were selected by previous residents, landlords, or other agents. The majority of occupants operated Thermostats manually, rather than relying on their programmable features and almost 90% of respondents reported that they rarely or never adjusted the Thermostat to set a weekend or weekday program. Photographs of Thermostats were collected in one on-line survey, which revealed that about 20% of the Thermostats displayed the wrong time and that about 50% of the respondents set their programmable Thermostats on “long term hold” (or its equivalent). Low-income families were visited and their Thermostats photographed. Even though 85% of the respondents declared that they use programming features to automatically raise or lower the temperature, the photos indicated that 45% were in hold. Laboratory tests were undertaken to measure usability of Thermostats. A measurement protocol was developed and a metric was created that could quantitatively distinguish usability among five Thermostats. This metric could be used to establish minimum levels of usability in programmable Thermostats and other energy-using devices with complex controls.
