Hydronic balancing and control

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Hydronic balancing of HVAC heating and cooling systems is essential for many reasons. It is necessary in order to achieve proper indoor comfort and for the system to run as efficiently as possible. If the hydronic balance is not properly in place, end-user complaints, extra costs and reduced lifetime value of the system can be expected.

Danfoss offers a hydronic balancing solution for every situation:

Pressure-Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICV) combine hydronic balancing and temperature control functionalities in one product. They are simply set to the design flow and used in both heating and cooling systems with variable flow conditions.

Automatic balancing valves eliminate pressure fluctuations occurring in variable flow systems. With additional pre-setting radiator valves that limit the maximum flow through e.g. radiators, the system can be hydronically balanced. Another automatic balancing solution is provided by the Pressure-Independent thermostatic radiator valves which combine the control of differential pressure and flow limitation in one valve.

Thermal balancing valves establish a proper balance by using the temperature entering the circulation pipes of Domestic Hot Water system risers. This provides a very efficient system.

Manual balancing valves can be used in systems with a constant flow, such as systems with 3-way control valves. They need to be commissioned to establish the design flow.       

How we can help you

Improved energy efficiency and indoor comfort

Fewer complaints about uneven heat distribution

Fewer complaints about system noise

Savings on pump dimensions and energy consumption

Relatively short payback times

Documents

Documents
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Related products

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Leno MSV- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { Leno MSV- Danfoss } else { Leno MSV- Danfoss }
    Leno MSV

    With LENOTM MSV Danfoss offers a versatile range of manual balancing valves for different HVAC heating and cooling applications having a constant flow system. The valves are available in sizes DN 15 – 50 and offer several practical benefits.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ASV Automatic balancing valves- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { ASV Automatic balancing valves- Danfoss } else { ASV Automatic balancing valves- Danfoss }
    ASV Automatic balancing valves

    ASV automatic balancing valves provide a dynamic balancing solution for two-pipe heating or cooling applications. The riser-mounted valves eliminate pressure fluctuations occurring in variable flow systems at partial load conditions. For a proper hydronic balance the valves should be combined with pre-setting valves.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { AB-QM- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { AB-QM- Danfoss } else { AB-QM- Danfoss }
    AB-QM Pressure Independent Control Valves (PICV) DN15 - DN250

    AB-QM Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICV) provide both a control functionality and dynamic balancing solution for HVAC heating and cooling systems. PICVs are designed for various types of terminal units, Air Handling Units (AHU), chillers and provide high indoor comfort and energy efficiency in public and commercial buildings.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Danfoss Thermal balancing valve MTCV; } else if (isBigColumns) { Danfoss Thermal balancing valve MTCV } else { Danfoss Thermal balancing valve MTCV }
    MTCV with CCR2+

    MTCV Thermal balancing valves provide a dynamic, temperature based, balancing solution for drinking water applications. Combined with the CCR2+ a smart and energy-efficient electronic control solution for monitoring and disinfecting DHW systems is established.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Radiator valves- Danfoss; } else if (isBigColumns) { Radiator valves- Danfoss } else { Radiator valves- Danfoss }
    Radiator valves

    Robustly built and designed to meet the rigors of the commercial and industrial sectors, a comprehensive range of Danfoss radiator valves is available for practically all systems and installation conditions.

Learning

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    Increased importance for safe Domestic Hot Water systems due to Covid-19

    While the global community is very aware of the Covid-19 virus, another potentially fatal bacteria, Legionella, is causing more and more infections every year. Research even shows a relation between both infections. Read more about the increased risks in DHW systems due to Legionella and Covid-19 in this article.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { How to balance HVAC systems in “Shell and Core buildings”; } else if (isBigColumns) { How to balance HVAC systems in “Shell and Core buildings” } else { How to balance HVAC systems in “Shell and Core buildings” }
    How to balance HVAC systems in “Shell and Core buildings”

    Shell & Core buildings – larger buildings split in smaller zones for rental purpose – such as office buildings or shopping malls are rapidly gaining in popularity. The design and commissioning of the HVAC system in such buildings requires another approach. If this is not taken into account issues like a long handover time, an over-dimensioned and unreliable system will occur.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { static hydronic balancing; } else if (isBigColumns) { static hydronic balancing } else { static hydronic balancing }
    Types of hydronic balancing: Static hydronic balancing

    With static hydronic balancing, the mass flows are regulated manually, via pressure-dependent valves. Here, the mass flows are calculated and set exclusively for full load cases – efficiency-optimized heating water distribution is therefore only aimed at for the maximum utilization of the heating system

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Dynamic hydronic balancing; } else if (isBigColumns) { Dynamic hydronic balancing } else { Dynamic hydronic balancing }
    Types of hydronic balancing: Dynamic hydronic balancing

    Dynamic hydronic balancing keeps the water flows and differential pressure of the heating system constant throughout the building under all load conditions and offers high energy saving potential, especially in large buildings.   

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Dynamic hydronic balancing; } else if (isBigColumns) { Dynamic hydronic balancing } else { Dynamic hydronic balancing }
    Types of hydronic balancing: Auto-balancing

    Auto-balancing can be used in addition to or as an alternative to static or dynamic balancing. Auto-balancing solutions use intelligent digital system control to ideally implement complete hydronic balancing without complex pre-calculations. Danfoss’ solution is suitable for systems with up to 20 radiators or heating circuits, i.e. primarily for detached and semi-detached houses.  

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    Basics of hydronic balancing and types of hydronic balancing

    Hydronic balancing is one of the most important measures for optimizing heating systems. Although all experts are aware of this measure, it is still difficult to draw clear distinctions between its variants – static, dynamic and auto-balancing.

Case stories

  • if (isSmallPicture) { 3* resort reduces hot water wait times with MTCV; } else if (isBigColumns) { 3* resort reduces hot water wait times with MTCV } else { 3* resort reduces hot water wait times with MTCV }
    3* resort reduces hot water wait times with MTCV

    Building: Hotel/resort 
    Application: Renovating the Domestic Hot Water (DHW) system to stabilize water temperatures 
    Challenge: Reduce hot water wait times and improve energy efficiency 
    Solution: Multifunctional Thermostatic Circulation Valves (MTCV) were installed on DHW branches for hydronic balancing.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    4* resort increases guest ratings and saves on heat pump energy costs

    Building: Hotel/resort 
    Application: Heat pump system for comfort cooling via fan coil units 
    Challenge: Increase guest comfort and save on energy costs 
    Solution: The hydronic HVAC system for cooling was equipped with AB-QM 4.0 PICV valves for dynamic hydronic balancing and control via TWA-Q thermal actuators 

  • if (isSmallPicture) { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office; } else if (isBigColumns) { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office } else { EDGE Amsterdam West - healthy & smart office }
    HVAC flexibility & Energy monitoring in EDGE Amsterdam West multi-tenant healthy & smart office

    Building: Office
    Application: Hydronic balancing and remote control of 4-pipe heating/cooling change-over system.
    Challenge: Gaining BREEAM credits for energy monitoring and ensure fast, fail free installation.
    Solution: Digital NovoCon S actuator combined with AB-QM 4.0 PICVs and ChangeOver6 Energy. The combination balances the system hydronically, allow remote access via a BMS and provides actual energy consumption data per climate panel during both heating and cooling operation.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    Outstanding HVAC flexibility after high-end office building renovation

    Building: Office
    Application: Hydronic balancing and remote control of 4-pipe heating/cooling change-over system
    Challenge: Ensure a flexible to use HVAC system with DGNB sustainability certification
    Solution: Digital NovoCon actuator combined with AB-QM control valves and NovoCon CO6 combined with ChangeOver6 as a combination balance the system hydronically, allow remote access via a BMS and control the room temperatures during both heating and cooling operation.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam; } else if (isBigColumns) { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam } else { Danfoss contributes to smart HVAC control solution for I-tower at WTC Amsterdam }
    Smart HVAC control solution for the I-tower at WTC Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Building: Office
    Application: Climate panels with a four-pipe change-over system for Heating and Cooling
    Challenge: Establish a modern, innovative HVAC control system optimized for flexibility in (changing) usage of office space
    Solution: Integration of Danfoss field devices with the Building Management System via BACnet bus-communication

  • if (isSmallPicture) { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam; } else if (isBigColumns) { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam } else { Waldorf Astoria, Amsterdam }
    High-end climate solutions in Waldorf Astoria by Hilton, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

    Building: Hotel
    Application: Hydronic balancing and control for radiator heating and fan coil cooling
    Challenge: Establish top level comfort and minimum energy consumption for heating and cooling
    Solution: Fan-coil units for cooling; 8 heating risers and radiators equipped with Danfoss products.

Videos

News

  • if (isSmallPicture) { NovoCon® M, L and XL digital actuators; } else if (isBigColumns) { NovoCon® M, L and XL digital actuators } else { NovoCon® M, L and XL digital actuators }
    NEW: NovoCon M, L and XL - Big news for fans of IoT solutions in smart building concepts
    Monday, August 3, 2020

    New NovoCon® M, L and XL digital actuators for AB-QM Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICV) complete the series of smart, digital, IoT actuators for hydronic HVAC applications.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    New: Digital Design Center – one entry point for all design needs
    Friday, April 17, 2020

    When designing projects, big or small, finding the best solutions for your designs in a fast and easy way can be crucial. To simplify your design work and save your time, we have developed a new online platform – Digital Design Center.

  • if (isSmallPicture) { ; } else if (isBigColumns) { } else { }
    NEW: AB-QM 4.0 Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valve (PICV) for smart buildings
    Friday, October 11, 2019

    Danfoss AB-QM 4.0 replaces AB-QM Pressure Independent balancing and Control Valves (PICVs)