The document proposes two systems for improving sustainability in modern homes: (1) A passive heating and cooling system using an automated electro-mechanical fan system, and (2) A rainwater collection and distribution system that optimizes water recovery and plant growth. Microcontroller-based systems will be used to accomplish these in a cost-effective manner. Prototypes of both systems will be constructed and tested using sensors and simulations to analyze their potential economic and environmental impacts on homeowners through reduced utility bills and lower emissions. The results aim to demonstrate that simple mechanical systems can provide benefits to homeowners by taking advantage of environmental conditions.

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Control Systems for Sustainable Modern Homes
Dan Cojocariu, Braeden Hale, Nicolas Hamel, Richard Hudson, Matthew Lamoureux, Jordan Robinson
Schulich School of Engineering, University of Calgary
INTRODUCTION
METHODS AND MATERIALS
CONCLUSIONS
DISCUSSIONRESULTS
REFERENCES
ABSTRACT
CONTACT
Jordan Robinson
Email: jhb.Robinson@gmail.com
Phone: (587) 436 - 4871
Sustainable automated home
systems are becoming
increasingly attractive to
homeowners. There are long-
term cost savings and direct
environmental benefits. Emerging
systems that are inexpensive and
robust provide an opportunity to
more easily take advantage
existing resources.
We aim to improve sustainability
in the modern home by:
1) Passively heating and
cooling a home with an
automated electro-
mechanical system
2) Implementing a rainwater
collection and distribution
system that optimizes water
recovery and plant growth
Prototyping and simulations will
allow us to determine the
economic and environmental
impact of these systems.
Our results demonstrate that
simple mechanical systems can
take advantage of environmental
conditions and offer direct
benefits to Alberta homeowners.
I. Passive home heating and cooling system
I. Passive home heating and cooling system
Preliminary testing indicates that a simple fan system
can significantly increase or decrease home temperature
when called on by a thermostat. Testing was performed at
the lowest testable fan speed (~2 cfm) and minimal power.
Results from a Simulink-based thermal model of
homes with standard HVAC systems or with an inline fan
system demonstrate the potential to partially displace NG-
based heating and completely displace AC-based cooling in
a typical home reducing direct energy costs by up to 30%.
Based on these results, this system could cut energy
usage in Alberta homes, and decrease the projected
greenhouse gas emissions of Alberta’s combined private
home and electricity generation sectors.
With continued funding, we intend to deploy the
system to existing homes to study the thermal performance
at lower flow rates and real conditions, and its impact on
homeowner costs, energy use, and human factors.
II. Rainwater collection and distribution system:
In order to ensure optimal watering conditions for different
types of vegetation several variables must be considered:
• Climate
• In adverse weather conditions our system is able to
adapt and maintain plant growth
• In the event of a drought, the system can be
modulated to conserve more water than usual
• Type of vegetation
• The system takes into account the watering
requirements of different plants and responds
accordingly
• Sensor placement
• The sensor must be buried at the plant’s effective root
depth, ensuring no air pockets are present.
In conjunction, these factors are used to determine the
system’s watering cycle. To maintain efficiency, the system
makes control decisions based on soil moisture averages,
such that the system isn’t turning on and off constantly.
I. Passive home heating and cooling system
Performance of the inline fan system will be evaluated by
constructing a scaled prototype home (1:20), and joining the
top and bottom floors via PVC ductwork. An Arduino Uno
Microcontroller will read voltages from thermocouples inside
the model home, and use this information to control the flow
rate of inline fans within the duct. Simulations in SolidWorks
(flow distribution) and Simulink (thermal response) will be
completed to indicate what type of results we can expect
from our model. Upon test completion, we will asses the
overall effects of the system with a focus on cost savings
and environmental impact.
II. Rainwater collection and distribution system
The rainwater management prototype will consist of the
essential components necessary to demonstrate the
feasibility of the system. A Wandboard Microcontroller will
receive voltages from moisture sensors embedded in soil
samples, then rehydrate these samples with misters as
necessary. An assortment of irrigation supplies will be used
to tie these components together. Climate forecasts and
current environmental conditions will be considered
alongside other external factors in order to optimize water
usage and save the customer money each growing season.
Our results demonstrate that simple mechanical
systems can take advantage of indoor and outdoor
environmental conditions to offer direct benefits to
Alberta homeowners.
Increasing the sustainability of modern homes is
becoming increasingly attractive to the average
Canadian homeowner. Demand is increasing for
autonomous systems that are capable of reducing
monthly utility bills and that can mitigate an
individual’s environmental footprint. We have
proposed 2 systems that aim to meet this demand in
the standard home:
I.) Passive heating and cooling system
II.) Rainwater collection and distribution system
Microcontroller-based electromechanical systems
which are both elegant and inexpensive will be
utilized to accomplish these tasks. The return on
investment for homeowners will be shown to exceed
the capital costs of retrofitting the systems to homes.
Baseline Irrigation Solutions. (2011). Watering With Soil Moisture Sensors. Retrieved from
http://www.baselinesystems.com/mediafiles/pdf/watering_with_SMS.pdf
Services, Government of Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Integrated Services Branch, Government Information
Services, Publishing and Depository. "Clean Energy Project Analysis, RETScreen® Engineering & Cases Textbook: M154-
13/2005E-PDF - Government of Canada Publications". publications.gc.ca.
Figure 6. a) Projected deployment to single detached homes in Alberta. b) Within 20
years, the passive heating and cooling system could cut emissions by 16 MtCO2 -eq
annually (157 MtCO2 -eq cumulative) c) the rainwater management system could lower
Alberta water usage by 11 million m3 annually (26 million m3 cumulative).
Figure 1.a) Passive heating and cooling ductwork b.) Rainwater
management system test apparatus
Figure 2. a, b) Controlling room temperature by directing airflow from the heat sink to
the heat source. c) Improving the response time of room temperature to a new set
point.
Figure 3. a,b) This system has the potential to offset up to 30% of home HVAC-related
energy requirements, thereby reducing utility costs and GHG emissions.
II. Rainwater collection and distribution system:
Scenario Analysis – GHG emissions and water usage:
a. b. c.
a. b.
Figure 4. Ensuring that we had reliable data
to make accurate control system decisions,
multiple sensor calibration formulas were
used. This figure demonstrates the two latest
formulas. The one chosen is shown by the
yellow and purple data lines, which delivered
satisfactory error of approximately +/- 0.26%.
Figure 5. This graph demonstrates the effect
of applying water to the Decagon EC-5
moisture sensor. With the application of
water, the soil state is forced below the
watering line, thus rendering the soil in a state
suitable for plant growth.
a. b.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors would like to thank Dr. Ke Du, and Mike Cheng as well as Dr. David Layzell, Dr. Bas
Straatman, Prof. John Brown, and Dr. Simon Li for their input and guidance. Thanks are also due to
Whatif? Technologies for the use of their CanESS model in this work.