The heat, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) industry is a rapidly growing one. Year after year, new technologies step up to change the game. One of the latest tech trends to do so is machine learning. It’s been all the talk, and the buzz surrounding it is justified thanks to its applications in a variety of industries. So you might be wondering, what exactly is machine learning? And why is it so revolutionary in the HVAC industry? Here’s what you need to know about machine learning.
What Is Machine Learning?
If you’re familiar with artificial intelligence, the tech involving machines that imitate the human brain, then the concept of machine learning (ML) shouldn’t be so foreign. Machine learning actually falls under a category of artificial intelligence – meaning that all types of machine learning count as artificial intelligence, but the converse is false. Machine learning is all about a machine’s ability to learn from data without the need for programming. Hence, the focus is on developing programs that can use this data – leading to a data-driven HVAC industry.
What Are The Challenges in the HVAC Industry?
Despite being a flourishing sector, the HVAC industry still faces its share of challenges. One, in particular, is the maintenance of HVAC equipment. Not having a competent workforce to maintain these can be more costly in the long term. Maintenance usually includes regular check-ups, filter changes, and proper cable management. And that’s just a small piece of the pie. Other known issues in the industry involve high costs and power consumption. Because of this, many explore the applications of new technology to alleviate these problems.
How Is Machine Learning Revolutionizing the HVAC Industry?
Building and maintaining an HVAC system is far from easy. In these times, we turn to new technologies, such as machine learning, to make our lives easier. Now, let’s get into the specifics of how it does this. Here’s how ML is a game-changer in the industry.
Cost Reductions
The main goal of innovating is not only to streamline processes, but also to reduce costs – this is what machine learning is capable of. Because HVAC units reduce their power consumption, this also effectively lowers any costs associated with it.
Create New Designs
When building managers look to improve their design, one thing they consider improving is their HVAC system. By analyzing historical data in the system, machine learning allows you to create new HVAC designs that are more cost-effective and at the same time, environmentally-friendly. All of these increase the efficiency of HVAC units. Hence, incorporating machine learning into cost-saving strategies will be effective in the long run.
Reduced Environmental Impact
If there’s one thing that consumes huge amounts of power, it’s definitely the HVAC system of any building. In fact, approximately 40% of every building’s power consumption is attributed to HVAC alone. That’s a huge chunk of a building’s power consumption and it’s the reason why many try new ways to optimize it.
As we all know, a higher power consumption translates to a higher carbon footprint. For companies looking to become more sustainable, machine learning can easily help them attain that goal. For instance, they can consider using airside economizers which use outside air for cooling. As a result, the compressor runs less which effectively reduces energy consumption. Also, they sometimes contain smart sensors that measure carbon dioxide levels, which helps determine the number of people at a given time. From this data, ventilation rates are automatically adjusted by these sensors, increasing the comfort levels of the occupants as well.
Predictive Maintenance
Another plus of using machine learning in the HVAC industry is preventive maintenance. This technique is commonly used in data analytics to predict possible issues before they can even occur. Machine learning typically uses historical and present data to arrive with a decision on predictive maintenance. This allows maintenance teams to act urgently to reduce the chances of these occurrences.
Personalization
As mentioned previously, artificial intelligence is a form of tech that simulates the human brain, and machine learning is a subset of this umbrella term. That being said, it shouldn’t come off as a surprise that a machine could learn more about your preferences. Whether you want more airflow in a certain area or prefer a warmer temperature, machine learning can obtain some information on the occupants’ preferences. From this, they create personalized experiences, thereby increasing comfort levels and at the same time, reducing power.
In Conclusion
With all of its applications in the HVAC industry, it’s safe to say that the road to the future is paved with machine learning. Not only does it effectively reduce costs, but it also helps the environment and increases efficiency of HVAC units. As we learn more about its applications, the HVAC industry is poised to thrive especially with machine learning by its side. And as of now, it’s showing no signs of stopping.