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Intuitive Thermal Comfort Controller

Guaranteeing an optimal level of thermal comfort can increase productivity and quality of life. ‘THERCOM’ project will facilitate the development of a new paradigm in indoor climate control to ensure optimal thermal comfort. The control development will focus on three characteristics: improving user experience, increasing energy efficiency and consistency with the technological revolution.

‘THERCOM’ will offer an innovative user experience by implementing intuitive interaction between the occupant and the controller. The controller will apply thermal comfort theory and, based on the European and UK standards, bring an improvement to the user experience. ‘THERCOM’ will be the first controller to directly relate to the user experience and the environment, providing consumers with a unique control. The controller will optimize the expediency of most of the room users: no other controller in the marker is able to adjust the setpoints to optimize the general thermal comfort level of the room.

Increasing energy efficiency is one of the principal objectives of our society to decrease the negative impacts on the environment. ‘THERCOM’ will generate the opportunity to increase thermal comfort and optimise energy consumption. Internet of Things offers for the first time in human history the opportunity to provide ‘intelligence’ to objects. The new technologies try to improve the human quality of life, and thermal comfort is one area with immense potential to apply ‘smart’ controllers. Using the theoretical knowledge of thermal comfort, empirical data, international standards, and innovative hardware, ‘THERCOM’ project seeks to create a new paradigm in the indoor climate controller world, based on people, and adapting to personal prophecies, the human being has to be the focus of the advances that seek to reach net zero because it is the humans who consume the energy.

Motivated people are the most powerful force in the world. ‘THERCOM’ is able to motivate people to reduce their energy consumption through competition, rewards, feedback, and other gamification concepts, utilising all the power of motivated people. With this in mind, the possible positive impacts of this project are immense.

THERCOM Innovation Project Delivers Remarkable Results in Enhancing User Experience and Energy Savings 

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THERCOM innovation project has achieved exceptional success by revolutionising the way users interact with their heating systems. Through meticulous analysis of user requirements, the THERCOM app was developed, resulting in a highly refined and user-friendly product allowing occupants to control their energy systems by expressing how hot or cold they are rather than setting the temperature. Extensive experimentation and invaluable user feedback resulted in demonstrated average heating energy savings of 41% over a month-long trial period, with some households experiencing savings as high as 70%.

The project’s final evaluation also involved a comprehensive survey among participating households. Notably, all users reported a marked improvement in their thermal comfort with the implementation of THERCOM.

User satisfaction with THERCOM compared to their previous thermostats

Furthermore, an overwhelming majority of five out of six respondents expressed high levels of satisfaction using THERCOM, a significant contrast to their experiences with previous thermostats, where only one quarter felt similarly at ease (see Figure 1). During the trial period, an average reduction of 50% in energy demand for heating was observed. It is important to note that while THERCOM contributed to this outcome, weather conditions also played a role in the reduced energy demand as temperatures rose. By considering weather conditions and adjusting the energy demand for heating degree days, the average energy savings amounted to an impressive 41%.

THERCOM innovation received support from various esteemed organisations, including the Innovate UK Fast Start Innovation grant, DigitalCity, the Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and won the 2023 TeesTech Innovation Award. Acocks Greener, an esteemed energy community association representing the wards of Acocks Green and Tyseley & Hay Mills in Birmingham, provided valuable support throughout the testing phase.

The success of the THERCOM innovation project highlights its immense potential to transform the way users manage and optimise their heating systems, resulting in improved energy efficiency and enhanced comfort. With its user-centric approach and cutting-edge technology, THERCOM is poised to make a significant impact on the heating industry and contribute to a sustainable future. You can already pre-order your own smart thermostat and smart radiator valves supporting THERCOM at https://thercom.net

#IndoorClimateControl, #Innovation, #ProgrammableThermostat, #SmartThermostat, #StayComfortableAtHome, #THERCOM, #ThermalComfortFactors

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