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Question:
Which "Control Method" should I use for
my heating & cooling programs in GEMLink?
Answer:
GEMLink provides several excellent control
programs for heating & cooling to meet various
needs and equipment setups. The one that is
best for you depends on several factors. The
information that follows should help you decide
which method best fits your needs.
Staged
heating & cooling systems
-
Do
you have only 1 or 2 stages of both heating
and cooling? If so, use Step
Stage.
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Do
you have multiple stages (3 or more) of either
heating or cooling stages, but you want
minimal energy outlay even if the zone's air
temperature varies more? If so, use Step
Stage.
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Do
you have multiple stages (3 or more) of either
heating or cooling stages, but you want
precise control of the zone's air temperature,
even if it means using more energy? If
so, consider using Anticipatory or
Drive-to-Setpoint (DTS).
Hot
water heating systems
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If
you have a working weather station, with
outdoor temperature (wind speed & light
are optional), and a proportional mixing valve
with a hot water temperature probe in the
zone, we recommend Anticipatory
Hot Water (AHW) control.
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If
you do not have valid weather data or hot
water temperature data, use ANTICIPATORY, DTS
or STEP STAGE (see the chart below for the
pros and cons of each method).
Here
is a chart that might help:
| Control
Method |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
| Anticipatory
Hot Water |
Very
precise control for systems with hot water
mixing valves. Uses outdoor
conditions and greenhouse design to
anticipate heating load. |
None,
but you must have a working weather
station, hot water mixing valve and a hot
water temperature probe at the mixing
valve. |
| Anticipatory |
Very
precise control for staged heating and/or
cooling systems. Uses outdoor
conditions to anticipate cooling and/or
heating loads. |
Perhaps
a little more equipment cycling and energy
outlay that a simple STEP STAGE program
would generate. |
| Drive-to-
Setpoint |
Controls
closer to the setpoint that STEP STAGE for
staged heating and/or cooling
systems. Uses timed upstaging and
downstaging to drive the zone's air
temperature to the setpoint. |
Same
as Anticipatory, but with the added
disadvantage of being a little harder to
setup. Also, this program is
reactive, not anticipatory. |
| Step
Stage |
The
simplest and least energy intensive of
all. Easy to understand and
setup. Uses air temperature's
proximity to the setpoint to pick a
stage. Works well when only 1 or 2
stages are involved. |
Greatest
variation allowed in zone's air
temperature. Zone's temperature can
run many degrees from the setpoint for
hours. |
Mix
and match
If
you have selected AHW for your control method on
your hot water heating system, you then have the
option to choose ANY of the other control methods
for your cooling system. For example, you
might use AHW for your heating control, but choose
STEP STAGE or ANTICIPATORY for the cooling system
control.
Please
contact us at 800-833-9123 if you
need further assistance.
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