Energy
A unique test facility for retrofit products and research
Monitoring
Monitoring of the Energy House is facilitated through the use of wireless mesh networks of sensor nodes with protocols and signalling based on the internationally ratified IEEE 802.15.4 standard which operates on the 2.4GHz band.
The sensors system comprises three SenzaGate wireless gateways and an array of Senzablock wireless nodes. Wireless nodes are distributed around the Energy House for measuring and continually monitoring the different parameters: temperature, humidity and pressure.
Temperature and humidity monitoring
Each of the rooms within the Energy House have four temperature sensors located in each corner with probes to measure temperature at three heights. A combined humidity sensor is also located in the centre of each of the rooms.
Electricity, gas and water monitoring
Consumption of electricity gas and water is also monitored. Appliance monitoring is undertaken using industry standard ZigbeePro wireless smart meter plug devices, which have continually measure of kWh, kVARh, Watts, Amps and Volts to three decimal places with an accuracy better than +/- 0.5%.
Inside the Energy House, industry standard water flow meters have been fitted to the toilet feed, shower and bath feed, washing machine and kitchen sink. Separate flow metering can be applied at any stage to measure waste water flow.
Monitoring in the chamber
The chamber itself has thermal and CCTV cameras which continually monitor the building. The thermal image cameras are on pan and tilt mountings and are programmed to continually monitor heat loss from House.
Accuracy and logging resolution
Temperature Sensors
| Sample rate (max) | 1 kHz |
| Scan cycle (max) |
10s - 1 day |
| Scan cycle (min) |
100 ms |
| Range |
-40 to +125 °C |
| Range Resolution |
0.01 °C |
| Accuracy |
+/- 0.5 @ 25 °C |
Humidity Sensors
| Sample rate (max) |
1 kHz |
| Scan cycle (max) |
10 s - 1 day |
| Scan cycle (min) |
100 ms |
| Range |
10% - 90% rH |
| Range Resolution |
0.05% rH |
| Accuracy |
3% @ rH <20% and > 80% |
Differential Pressure Sensors
| Sample rate (max) | 1 kHz |
| Scan cycle (max) | 10 s - 1 day |
| Scan cycle (min) | 100 ms |
| Range | ± 500 Pa (±5 mbar) |
| Range Resolution |
0.5 Pa |
| Accuracy |
0.2 Pa ± 3% of measured value |