DataNab Universal Monitoring and Control Devices Minimize Energy Costs for Senior Residential Home in Canada

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DataNab devices at the core of a REHAU Smart Control solution to control complex, integrated HVAC systems across multiple zones

BURNSVILLE, MINN., May 22, 2012 – Castel De Flots Bleus in Cap Pele, New Brunswick, Canada is a residential housing facility for senior citizens.  With 60 approved dwelling units, it is among the largest special care homes of its kind in the entire country.

The sheer size of the facility — in combination with the local climate — translates to high monthly heating costs in the winter months when using traditional HVAC systems.  This year, the facility transitioned to a REHAU Smart Control solution featuring DataNab universal monitoring and control devices to reduce energy usage and costs.  The complete solution also eliminated approximately $20,000 in thermostats through the use of wall-plate temperature sensors.

Ron Antinori, owner and president of Climate Automation Systems, worked closely with REHAU to develop the efficient control solution for Castel De Flots Bleus.  Climate Automation Systems private labels its branded “env” intelligent climate control solution for REHAU and other companies.  DataNab I/O devices sit at the core of all these solutions, providing inputs to read various types of sensors such as temperature sensors, and providing outputs to control heat pumps, boilers and other building systems.

The Castel Des Flots Bleus solution features multiple DataNab Ai8_R13, Ai32, and AiO8 devices to support building systems across 110 zones, including four heat pumps, three air handlers, several cooling fan coils, two large buffer tanks and dozens of circulator pumps.  The DataNab devices are wired within Kele enclosures for maximum protection, with established “setpoints” to ensure efficient, building-wide energy usage and control.

“Our challenge is to simply have these building and HVAC systems make decisions based on temperatures and equipment status, and then send commands through the DataNab devices to make everything operate efficiently,” said Antinori.  “We couldn’t achieve what the customer requested without the DataNab solution.”

Antinori adds that the DataNab devices provide benefits to contractors as well as end users when it comes to price and ease of use.

“The DataNab devices are extremely cost-efficient at half to one-third the price of competing devices — without losing features,” said Antinori.  “It gives us the opportunity to combine our software with their hardware and deliver a total solution for the contractor that is nicely priced.  DataNab devices also offer features that confirm secure wiring and connections, saving contractors hours of headaches during commissioning.”

Antinori also recently shipped an “env” solution featuring 15 DataNab I/O devices to a large residential home in the Washington, DC area to manage and control HVAC systems and monitor energy usage across three mechanical rooms.  He notes that the new DataNab Ui28_PC2 device stands apart from competitive devices as it offers two pulse counters in addition to 28 universal inputs.  This will allow his residential customers to measure kilowatt hours, gallons per minutes, flow rates, BTUs and other measurements tied to utility meters.

“That’s a rarity in this price range,” he concluded.

About Climate Automation Systems
Climate Automation Systems focuses on joining technology with home environments with the aim to improve homeowner enjoyment and comfort, while bringing the way energy is consumed and utilized into balance with nature.  Founded in 2007, Climate Automation Systems offers the revolutionary env system, embraced by commercial retailers and home construction professionals as an ideal way to manage climates for homes – particularly those with radiant heat systems and large, challenging climate scenarios.  E-mail info@climateautomationsystems.com or visit www.climateautomationsystems.com for more information.

About DataNab LLC (www.datanab.com)
DataNab LLC is based in Burnsville, Minnesota, USA, specializing in network-based solutions in a variety of applications including audio streaming and distribution, process controls, energy management, building automation, remote monitoring, data acquisition and access control.  DataNab solutions are ideal for applications in AV, broadcast, security, building/facility management, alternative energy and other markets.