Technical Feasibility Study for the Optimization of the Energy Efficiency of a Residential Ventilation Unit

Every year, EU standards set higher standards for energy efficiency, so ventilation units acquire a particular importance in the individual housing sector. By ventilating the rooms using conventional methods, a huge amount of energy needed to heat fresh air in the environment is lost. The ventilation device must be extremely energy efficient, and its purpose is to preserve as much of the thermal energy of the dwelling as possible. Enhancing the energy efficiency (including the possibility to use electricity more efficiently) will make a significant contribution to the EU drive to reduce gas emissions that create the greenhouse effect.

However, the ventilation device must be extremely reliable. Any damage, especially during the cold season, can lead to critical consequences for the owner of the dwelling – due to the condensation of moisture, unheated premises begin to form a mould that is particularly harmful to health and is difficult to remove, which in a short time damages large wall areas. Moulds and moisture can not only worsen the condition of the buildings, but also damage the health of the inhabitants of these buildings. The direct costs of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the EU countries are estimated to be around € 42 billion euros, and indirect annual costs, i.e. job losses and the worsening of productivity – additional € 40 billion euros.

The aim of this project is to create method for optimizing the operation and detection of damage when it comes to thermal energy recovery systems of airflows moving in opposite directions, by using the methods of data extraction, statistical analysis and artificial intelligence. This methodology will be integrated into the product created by the company – a energetically efficient ventilation unit of dwellings, thereby increasing its environmental performance. The device is adapted to the climate of all countries in the Baltic Sea Region, so not only Lithuanian consumers will possibly benefit. The small size of the device will allow it to be used not only in the construction of new housing but also in the renovation of old block of flats, which will further benefit the EU’s concept of energy saving.

Project tasks:

• To identify critical observable environmental parameters necessary to ensure the most efficient operation of the device;
• To prepare an optimal set of precise and reliable internal and external sensors for capturing the default settings;
• To prepare an algorithm, which, on the basis of the acquired values of environmental parameters and statistical means of these parameters, would select the most energy efficient mode of operation of the device;
• To detect the possible equipment failure while analysing the data of the sensors according to their significant deviations from the values of the statistical parameters or the absence of the parameters throughout the estimated time period. Also, to inform the user and recommend the emergency mode for the operation of the device or the suspension of the activity by using visual means if working in emergency mode would cause the damage for the device itself.