Self-optimization works 24/7 during the heating season but sometimes it could use an extra nudge to speed things up or a full reset to get your optimization into the heating curve. This article will tell you how to do just that and what to keep in mind.
NOTE!
This only applies to Edge Gold() contracts and requires user level Advanced and/or Expert.
Background
You find the function "Self-optimization" available under the module "Optimization" among other functions like "Heating curve", "Desired indoor temperature", "Adjust heat" and "Notes".
Self-optimization fine tunes the building's heating curve by slowly adjusting the outgoing steering temperature based on outdoor temperature, average indoor temperature(Based on which reference sensors are chosen) and your chosen "Desired indoor temperature".
The result of the optimization can be seen in the picture below where it has adjusted the temperature in the different adaption zones. These adjustments are then built into the next calculation of the outgoing steering temperature.
Adjusting adaption zones
As an example, let's say you have changed indoor temperature policy for your buildings and wish to increase average indoor temp from 21ºC to 21,5ºC. A quick way to speed up the process is to use the adaption zones instead of changing the actual heating curve on site.
- We check what the current average indoor temperature is. (In this case roughly 21ºC)
- We adjust "Desired indoor temperature" from 20-22ºC to 20-23ºC so the average temperature of the chosen interval is 21,5ºC and then click save.
- Go to Self-optimization, move all the bars with the mouse cursor by +0,5ºC and click save.
Before / After:
Transfer current optimization into your heating controller
If the average indoor temperature at first did not match your "Desired indoor temperature", Edge will most likely have to optimize a lot during the heating season to compensate.
For example, if the average indoor temperature was 23ºC but it was supposed to be 21,5ºC it could look something like the picture below after 1-2 years.
We recommend to take a look at the optimization after the first year of running Edge in order to transfer your optimization permanently into your heating controller's heating curve and then using the reset button or manually drag the bars with your mouse cursor.
Info
In the bars above, a 1ºC adjustment refers to the indoor air temperature. This translates to a 4ºC adjustment of the steering temperature controlling the heating, which depending on the incline of the heating curve, normally results in a 4ºC adjustment of the supply water temperature.
So if you would like to reset/adjust the adaption zones in the example above you would:
- Go on site or connect to your heating controller to lower your heating curve by 6ºC((23-21,5)*4) on all break points.
- Adjust all the adaption bars by +1,5ºC to compensate.
- Done! Now your self-optimization has a new starting point to start fine tuning your building even more.
Min-/Max-limit
Another function to use is Min-/Max-limit, you set these by moving the black lines at the top/bottom as in the picture below. This prevents the self-optimization from adjusting the bars further than the limit you set.
The heating curve
In a perfectly optimized building which takes all parameters into account the heating curve would be linear, as the red curve below. So when working with adaption zones, setting a new "Current curve" and looking at the simulated "Optimized curve" keep this in mind.
Always strive to have an even and smooth heating curve with a steady incline like red, green or blue below. Your current/optimized curve should not look like the yellow curve.