|
Frequently
Asked Questions About IntelliCon
-
Back to Intellicon page -
Q: How does
IntelliCon® work?
A: The basic
premise behind this patented technology is to reduce energy consumption
by optimizing system performance through real-time ‘load-demand’
analysis and control.
These products
work by monitoring and analyzing the load on the heating or cooling
system, in real time, and then modifying the way that they normally
would have been controlled or ‘cycled’. This cycle modification
results in a more efficient use of the heating or cooling system,
with subsequent reductions of energy consumption, wear and tear
on the equipment, maintenance requirements, and pollution.
It’s important
to understand that in order for a heating or cooling system to perform
properly, the heating or cooling capabilities must be sized according
the worst-case scenarios they are to encounter in a given application.
This worst-case scenario (Design Day) occurs only a small fraction
of the time. At all other times this design consideration renders
the system relatively over-sized for the demand, which causes the
system to run, or cycle, in less than an optimum manner.
In the case
of a cooling system; we analyze the load, or demand, by monitoring
how the pre-existing controls (a thermostat or pressuretrol) are
cycling the compressor. The on-time to off-time ratios and how these
ratios are changing are indicative of the load. The economizer intercedes
and changes the beginning of the compressor cycle, which results
in a more efficient use of the electrical energy needed to provide
the same amount of cooling.
In the case
of a heating system; we analyze the load, or demand, by monitoring
the out-flow water temperature or steam pressure. The absolute value
of the water temperature or steam pressure, and the rate that it’s
changing, is indicative of the load. The economizer intercedes and
changes the way that the burner is cycled, which results in a more
efficient use of the fuel needed to provide the required amount
of heating.
It is important
to note that we do not claim to increase a burner’s or compressor’s
efficiency. We improve ’System’ efficiency by dynamically
changing the way that the burner or compressor is reacting to the
needs of the system in a more efficient manner.
Back
to top
Q: If you’re
holding the burner or compressor off longer, why doesn’t it
run longer for the same amount of time?
A: The very
nature of a heating or cooling system requires it to either generate
heat or extract heat faster than the load (space) can impose. (If
this was not the case, the heating or cooling system would not be
able to keep up with the demand and maintain the temperature, and
it would run continuously.) Because of this fact, the increased
system run-time is only a fraction of the time that it was held
off.
Q: If you’re
holding the burner or compressor off, why doesn’t the space
temperature change?
A: The answer
to this question is in two parts because of the differences between
a heating and cooling system.
In the case
of a heating system, there is substantial energy stored in the heating
medium (water / steam) that can be extracted and used during the
hold-off period without any substantial loss of output. This is
due to the fact that not only can the boiler generate heat faster
than it can be extracted, it also generates more heat than what
can be extracted. Those two facts are why the burner cycles and
why the space temperature doesn’t change.
In the case
of a cooling system, the rate and quantity of heat that a cooling
system can remove during a given period of time, is greater than
the amounts of heat that can be gained by the load (space) for the
same period of time. This requires the compressor to be cycled in
order to maintain the desired temperature or the space would be
over-cooled. The media used to extract heat from the space is air.
Air has a very low mass and thus short time-constant (change in
temperature per unit of time) compared to items with considerably
more mass and thus a longer time-constant (i.e. people, objects,
walls, furniture, etc.). The items with a higher mass have a much
greater thermal inertia. Thermal inertia is a property of an item
to resist a change in temperature [for a given period of time].
Since the compressor is held off for only a small percentage of
time, relative to the time-constants of the higher mass items, temperature
fluctuations are virtually non-existent.
Back
to top
Q: Where
do the savings come from?
A: The savings
from IntelliCon® products are derived from numerous sources.
Each installation has its own unique characteristics which change
the proportions of each sources contribution to the overall savings.
IntelliCon®
products improve system efficiency by:
- Compensates
for the required over-sizing of the system.
- Reduces the
number of burner or compressor cycles, which reduces the quantity
of inefficient “start-up” portions of each cycle. The
reduction of compressor cycles also reduces the current surges
associated with starting up a compressor (usually 8 – 10
times normal run amperage).
- Reduces ex-filtration
losses due to over-heating or over-cooling the space.
- Increases
average BTU output per run cycle.
- Compensates
for solar and wind loading.
- Improves
the thermal transfer characteristics of the heating or cooling
system.
Q: What are the typical cost savings experienced by utilizing
IntelliCon®?
A: Intellidyne®
guarantees a minimum annual reduction of 10% of your heating and
cooling energy usage. Many customers experience additional savings
up to 30%.
Q: Has the
performance of IntelliCon® products been validated?
A: IntelliCon®
has been tested by leading energy companies and experts, including
KeySpan, ConEdSolutions, Brookhaven National Laboratory, ETL/Inchcape
and others. IntelliCon® is listed by Underwriters Laboratories
as Energy Management Equipment.
Q: Will IntelliCon®
void my manufacturer’s warranty?
A: No. IntelliCon®
will not affect your warranty and will actually reduce the normal
wear and tear on your equipment. In addition, the air conditioning
and refrigeration economizers include an anti-short-cycle function
(for compressor protection) as one of their features.
Q: Is it
difficult to install an IntelliCon® unit?
A: No. Installation
of an IntelliCon® product should be completed by a qualified
professional. Typical installation times may vary depending on model
and application, but are usually between 15 – 90 minutes.
Back
to top
Q: Will my
home or business be less comfortable once an IntelliCon® unit
is installed?
A: No. One of
the benefits of the IntelliCon® technology is a more consistent
comfort level.
Q: How much
does an IntelliCon® unit cost?
A: Products
range in price from approximately $225 for a residential product
to approximately $3000 for larger commercial units.
Q: What if
I don’t see a reduction in my heating and/or cooling costs?
A: Intellidyne
guarantees a minimum annual reduction of 10% of your heating and
cooling energy usage. IntelliCon units come with a money-back performance
guarantee.
Back
to top
| -
Back to Intellicon page -
|