Optimising HVAC Controls for Efficiency Without Sacrificing Comfort
Control systems are only as smart as their logic. Learn how simulation helps optimise HVAC control strategies to reduce energy waste and deliver better comfort—automatically.
Good equipment still needs smart control
Even well-designed HVAC systems fail when the controls don’t match real-world usage.
Setpoints drift. Valves overreact. Pumps run constantly. Boilers short-cycle. And all the while, building occupants adjust thermostats and override systems—fighting comfort instead of achieving it.
Most HVAC underperformance isn’t a hardware issue—it’s a control logic issue.
To optimise both energy and comfort, control strategies need to be dynamic, load-responsive, and based on system-level behaviour—not just zone-by-zone rules.
Common control logic problems in real buildings
Outdated or default control strategies often lead to:
- Fixed flow setpoints that ignore part-load conditions
- Lack of staging or sequencing logic for boilers or chillers
- Night setbacks that are too aggressive—or never reset
- Valves modulating without proper authority
- Zone controls working against each other in open spaces
These issues cause inconsistent comfort, higher energy use, and more wear on equipment—without operators knowing the root cause.
Simulation-driven control optimisation
You can’t fix a control problem by guessing. You need to simulate the system and see how it behaves across its full load curve.
With Hysopt, engineers can:
- Model real system dynamics, not just peak conditions
- Test control strategies (e.g. variable flow, reset curves, night setbacks) before implementation
- Visualise how zones interact and how the system responds to partial load
- Identify conflicts between components, such as pumps and valves fighting each other
- Optimise controls for both comfort and efficiency—not just one or the other
See how Hysopt supports control optimisation through simulation
Making controls adapt to reality
That means the system doesn't just react to extremes—it adjusts intelligently across the full range of operating conditions.
Once simulated and verified, control strategies can be configured to respond intelligently to real-world conditions.
They can account for occupancy schedules and actual usage patterns, adjust to outside air conditions and internal gains, and react in real time to feedback from system sensors. They also adapt to zonal temperature deviations and align with equipment efficiency curves to optimise performance.
The result? Lower energy bills, more stable temperatures, and far fewer occupant overrides.
Real-world example: saving energy through control logic alone
In a secondary school, the HVAC system was running 16 hours a day with constant flow, struggling to maintain comfort efficiently.
Night setbacks weren’t recovering properly, and on cold mornings, the boilers were cycling 10+ times per hour—wasting energy and wearing down equipment.
Through simulation, the team uncovered a smarter path forward. Setpoints could be staged to better match building demand, pumps could shift to variable speed for greater efficiency, and recovery time could be significantly reduced with improved sequencing.
After implementation:
- Energy use dropped by 28%
- Complaints fell by 70%
- No new hardware was required
FAQ: HVAC control optimisation
Is this about installing a new BMS?
Not necessarily. It’s about updating the control strategy. Existing BMS platforms can often run more efficient logic—if the right strategy is defined.
Do I need full building automation for this to work?
No. Even basic systems can be optimised with better flow control, setpoint management, and staging logic.
Can simulation work with live sensor data?
Yes. Hysopt can use historical or trend data to calibrate simulations and validate control improvements.
Control the system, don’t let it control you
Better control logic doesn’t just fine-tune performance—it transforms it.
With simulation, HVAC systems adapt to real-world usage, reduce energy waste, and improve comfort automatically—without replacing equipment or compromising user experience.
Want more info about optimising your HVAC controls for efficiency and comfort? Here’s everything you need.
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