FAQ: What is a Zone HVAC Group?

A Zone HVAC Group is a subset of the Air Loop. It is a set of components that shape the demand side of the Air Loop design. The user can select or select and edit Zone HVAC Groups that are included with Simergy or they can be built from scratch in the Template, Zone HVAC Workspace and saved as a template which can be selected by the user to associate with the Air Loop on the Systems/Air Loops/Create and Edit Workspace. The Zone HVAC Group can represent a single thermal zone or a larger set of thermal zones. The Zone HVAC Group allows the user to set up and visualize the components for the sensor types, incorporate different types of zone equipment and establish priorities for the zone equipment. In addition, the user can establish groups for different types of components, which also can save time in set up and simply the view of the system design as well.

The Zone HVAC Group Shape has a number of important parts:

Connection/Anchor Points - there are a number of "blue Xs" located on the shape that enable easier placement of Zone HVAC equipment component shapes, sensors and loop connections
Zone HVAC Equipment component shapes can be added in any of up to five positions (connection/anchor points) within the Zone HVAC Group Shape and they can also be associated outside the shape (VAV Air Terminal unit shown above). In addition supply and return plena and control shapes are other types that can be associated with Zone HVAC Groups.
- Note: For the full picture of what component shapes can be associated with Zone HVAC Groups see the Zone HVAC Group and Controls Stencils in the Templates/Zone HVAC Groups workspace or the Systems/Zone HVAC Groups/ Create & Edit workspace.
Sensors can be added in any of up to four positions along the left edge of the shape
Air Inlet and Outlet Ports identify locations where Air Loop Connectors can be added to the shape and the Connection Points make it easier to make those connections

FAQ: What is the difference between a Zone HVAC Group and a Zone Group?

Short Answer: Both Group Types are comprised of thermal zones, but each utilizes those thermal zones in very different ways.

A Zone Group is a set of thermal zones that can have Zone Templates associated with it for Zone Construction, Zone Conditions, and Zone Loads and Daylighting. Effective use of Zone Groups can significantly reduce the time of the BEM input process.
A Zone HVAC is a set of thermal zones that have a Zone HVAC template associated with it, which represents the set of zone equipment required to establish the demand side of the air loop. The user can also establish the heating and cooling priority for the equipment within the Zone HVAC Group. Effective use of Zone HVAC Groups can significantly reduce the time and complexity of an HVAC system design.

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