Optimising HVAC systems with sensors and Smart Technology

Vaibhav Pitale, Managing Director – India and South West Asia, states that
Belimo’s HVAC sensors, energy meters, and valves deliver reliability, efficiency, and
integration. Their innovative technology supports retrofitting, accurate energy
monitoring, optimised performance and improved system efficiency for new
installations and older HVAC systems.

How do Belimo’s damper actuators contribute to energy savings and enhanced system performance in HVAC applications?

Belimo damper actuators are designed for HVAC application performance, reliability, and lower power consumption. They have a comprehensive torque range (2 Nm to 40 Nm) suited for damper sizes as small as 150mm round and are directly mounted on standard damper shafts or jackshafts. Actuators are suited for control dampers, air handlers, economiser units, VAV terminal units, fan coil units, fan shutters, and unit ventilators. The holding current of Belimo actuators is one of the least in the industry.

What features of Belimo sensors and meters distinguish it from others in terms of accuracy when integrated into Building Automation Systems?

Belimo sensors result from years of experience, HVAC expertise, and our continuous focus on providing added value to our customers. The innovative design offers easy Installation and seamless integration to ensure optimal system performance.

Seamless Utilising innovative technology, sensors work with all major building automation systems, ensuring optimised performance and energy efficiency solutions. Reliable The well-known high quality of Belimo guarantees reliable and accurate measured values over the complete life cycle of the building. The highly resistant sensors also carry a 5-year warranty and meet IP65/NEMA 4X requirements. Intuitive Installation and commissioning only take a few steps due to well-thought-out design. The removable mounting plate also serves as a drilling template. Thanks to the specially designed snap-on cover and removable spring-loaded terminal blocks, mounting is possible with hardly any tools and a high level of accuracy.

Belimo Display App With the intuitive Belimo Display App, the current room values can be displayed, and set points can be changed. Access protection prevents input by unauthorised personnel. The app communicates with the room unit via near-field communication. – Display of all actual values of the active room sensors – Adaptation of the temperature setpoint of the room operating unit without a display on the room unit – Access protection from unauthorised change

Could innovations in Belimo’s control valves help optimise flow control and improve HVAC system efficiency?

The Belimo Energy Valve™ provides pressure-independent flow control and transparent monitoring of heating or chilling systems. This ensures that it is not operated with a temperature spread (delta T). By measuring, calculating, and visualising important system data based on the performance reports provided by Belimo, energy-efficient system operation is guaranteed for the entire service life. The Belimo Energy Valve™ can be connected to the Belimo Cloud, providing easy access to data and reports anytime and anywhere.

Delta T management from Belimo The delta T manager integrated into the Belimo Energy Valve™ is a function that continuously measures the temperature spread and compares it with the system-specific limiting value. If it falls below this, the Belimo Energy Valve™ automatically adjusts the flow so that only the amount of water needed to achieve the desired power is used. As a result, the integrated logic prevents the occurrence of the low delta T syndrome and ensures maximum comfort with the lowest possible energy consumption. All values can be conveniently viewed via the Belimo Cloud and adjusted during operation. For even better energy efficiency, delta T management can also be performed by Belimo experts through the Belimo Cloud.

The Belimo Energy Valve™ offers intelligent functionality with integration to the Belimo Cloud. It helps optimise delta T and flow values, improving system performance and stability. Through cloud-based analysis, users receive Belimo experts’ recommendations for more efficient operation. The Belimo Cloud stores complete usage data of the Belimo Energy Valve. The online database forms the basis for future operation optimisation.

Online technology support is available at all operating phases, from commissioning to operational adjustments, ensuring smooth performance. Our experts help solve technical problems. Regular software updates are easily accessible via online downloads, keeping the system up-to-date.

With a Belimo Cloud connection, the 5-year guarantee is extended to 7 years. Additionally, Belimo Cloud Reporting provides a complete overview of current and past performance data such as flow, energy consumption, power requirements and delta T, and operational warnings or errors that could impact efficiency.

How do Belimo’s sensors and meters support smart building technologies and the increasing demand for real-time data monitoring?

Belimo HVAC sensors and thermal energy meters offer superior reliability, easy Installation and seamless integration with major Building Automation Systems.

The innovative housing design of sensors enables quick, tool-free mounting and easy commissioning, offering IP65/NEMA 4X protection. Belimo offers a full range of sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, pressure, CO2, volatile organic compounds (VOC) and flow in pipe, duct, indoor and outdoor applications.

The thermal energy meters and the Belimo Energy Valve™ combine energy measurement, control and billing in one device. Our thermal energy meters are approved as heat meters according to EN 1434/MID and prepared for remote IoT-based billing. Belimoʼs patented automatic glycol monitoring and compensation ensure precise measurement, even if the glycol concentration changes.

Belimo thermal energy meters use ultrasonic transit time technology, with no moving parts to clog the system with debris, offering accurate measurement. The multi-point wet calibration of each meter in production ensures high accuracy over the entire flow measurement range. Using BACnet/IP & MSTP, Modbus TCP & RTU, the thermal energy meter can be integrated directly into the building management system. No extra communication gateway is required. The thermal energy meter’s embedded web server securely connects to the Belimo Cloud. Authorized third-party billing services platforms can access the available energy data and use it for tenant billing.

Thermal energy meters from Belimo are designed to be multi-application devices, i.e., to be used as heat meters, cold meters, or combined Heat and cold meters. They can be installed either in return or during the supply of the heat exchangers. The thermal energy meters can be installed in dedicated areas to monitor each unit in commercial buildings.

The benefits of the system are numerous. Owners gain valuable insights into their energy consumption, with readings accessible through a computer or smartphone app. The system helps identify potential malfunctions and can be used to educate tenants on optimal temperature settings. It is multi-point wet calibrated to ensure accuracy and repeatability, providing ±2% accuracy and ±0.5% repeatability for precise measurements. With IoT capabilities, the system allows for remote meter readings, and the data can be used for billing purposes. Installation is simplified through Power over Ethernet (PoE), which handles data and power, eliminating the need for additional transformers and wiring.

The system utilises ultrasonic technology with a patented automatic glycol compensation algorithm to deliver accurate and repeatable flow measurements for water and water/glycol mixtures without drift. Transparent thermal heat transfer energy data allows users to view, monitor and document system performance during commissioning and over time. Field configuration is easily managed via the Belimo Assistant App and a smartphone, enabling quick adjustments. Additionally, the system integrates with analogue feedback and supports Modbus RTU, Modbus TCP, BACnet MSTP, and BACnet IP for enhanced connectivity.

Measurements are vital to determine where we can conserve energy. Energy metering is trending; it will become universal and mainstream.

What advantages does Belimo offer when retrofitting older HVAC systems through the RetroFIT+ solution?

An HVAC Retrofit is the process of integrating new components into an older system. Many restaurants, retail stores, office buildings, and supermarkets face indoor air quality issues and HVAC system inefficiencies. Depending upon the brand, the region/ climate, and how well it is maintained, commercial HVAC equipment has a life expectancy of 15 to 30 years. A complete replacement will almost always cost more than a retrofit. A retrofit can often be achieved at a fraction of the cost of a replacement while improving efficiency and reducing energy bills.

HVAC systems lose efficiency, perform less effectively, and often require more service calls as they age. As a result, electric and repair bills are higher, and employees and customers are less comfortable. Retrofitting your HVAC system allows you to adapt and improve your system and building environment. Replacing a valve along with the actuator or determining how to fix an airside linkage is not always a sensible solution. Taking a system offline to replace various components is laborious and expensive. Facilities can lose thousands of rupees a day during maintenance shut-down. Retrofit solutions can eliminate this problem and restore systems quickly and conveniently with replacement valves, valve actuators, damper actuators, sensors, or economisers. In some instances, an entire system can be updated in a day.

Intuitive electronic retrofit forms are available for butterfly, globe, and ball valves to ensure you capture all the relevant dimensions needed for custom linkage designs. The Retrofit App allows you to search for a product for a fitting replacement solution for damper actuators, valves, and sensors. With the App, you can store projects and email selections and download installation instructions and datasheets.