Temperature Mode Simulator

| Overview

The Temperature Mode Simulator provides an interactive environment for validating temperature control configurations before they are applied to a zone schedule. Instead of making configuration changes directly on a schedule and observing the behavior later, users can simulate how different temperature modes respond using the current user limits, desired temperatures, deadbands, offsets, and conditioning modes.

The simulator enables facility managers and commissioning engineers to compare multiple temperature control strategies side-by-side and understand how each mode affects zone operation. Once the desired configuration has been validated, the simulated settings can be applied directly to the selected schedule.

| Purpose

The Temperature Mode Simulator helps users:

• Visualize the behavior of various temperature control modes.
• Validate heating and cooling setpoints before deployment.
• Compare different operating strategies without affecting live schedules.
• Verify user limits and deadband configurations.
• Reduce configuration errors during schedule creation.
• Apply validated settings directly to zone schedules.

| Accessing the Temperature Mode Simulator

The Temperature Mode Simulator is available from the Temperature Settings section while editing a Zone Schedule.

To launch the simulator:

• Navigate to Zone Schedule.
• Click Edit Schedule.

1. Select one or more schedule time slots.

In the Temperature Settings section, 

• click Temperature Mode Simulator.

The simulator opens in an overlay window for interactive testing.

| Temperature Settings Overview

Before opening the simulator, the Temperature Settings panel displays the current operating parameters for the selected schedule.

These include:

The graphical temperature scale provides a visual representation of each configured value, allowing users to quickly understand the relationship between desired temperatures, user limits, and deadbands.

| Simulator Interface

The Temperature Mode Simulator presents four supported temperature control strategies simultaneously.

Each mode is represented using an interactive thermostat display.

The supported modes are:

• Dual Setpoint Fixed Deadband
• Single Setpoint
• Setpoint Offset
• Dual Setpoint Variable Deadband

This side-by-side layout enables quick comparison of each control strategy before selecting the most appropriate mode for the application.

| Supported Temperature Modes

Dual Setpoint Fixed Deadband

Maintains independent heating and cooling desired temperatures while keeping a fixed deadband between them.

Characteristics:

• Separate heating and cooling setpoints
• Constant deadband
• Predictable HVAC operation
• Prevents simultaneous heating and cooling

Typical applications:

• Commercial office spaces
• Educational buildings
• Facilities requiring stable indoor comfort

Single Setpoint

Uses a single desired temperature for both heating and cooling control.

The system automatically determines whether heating or cooling should operate based on the configured deadband.

Characteristics:

• Single temperature target
• Simplified operation
• Easier user adjustment
• Reduced configuration complexity

Typical applications:

• Small offices
• Meeting rooms
• Residential-style environments

Setpoint Offset

Uses an offset value instead of separate heating and cooling temperatures.

The configured offset determines the deviation from the desired temperature for heating and cooling operation.

Characteristics:

• Central desired temperature
• Adjustable positive or negative offset
• Simplified comfort adjustment
• Symmetric temperature control

Typical applications:

• Energy optimization
• Occupant comfort adjustments
• Dynamic temperature tuning

Dual Setpoint Variable Deadband

Provides independent heating and cooling desired temperatures while allowing the deadband to vary dynamically.

Users can independently configure:

• Heating desired temperature
• Cooling desired temperature
• Conditioning mode
• Deadband behavior

This mode provides the highest level of flexibility and is suitable for advanced HVAC control applications.

Typical applications:

• Large commercial facilities
• Multi-zone buildings
• Advanced energy management deployments

| Conditioning Modes

The simulator supports multiple HVAC operating modes.

Users can evaluate the impact of each conditioning mode before applying changes.

| Interactive Controls

Depending on the selected temperature mode, the simulator provides interactive controls for adjusting configuration values.

Supported controls include:

• Increase or decrease desired temperature using the temperature slider or up/down buttons.
• Modify heating and cooling setpoints
• Configure temperature offsets
• Select conditioning mode
• Switch between heating and cooling configuration
• Review graphical deadband representation

Changes made within the simulator are immediately reflected in the graphical temperature visualization, allowing users to understand system behaviour in real time.

| Applying Simulated Settings

After validating the desired configuration, users can apply the simulated values directly to the active schedule.

Select:

Overwrite to Zone Schedule

This action updates the selected schedule with:

• Desired temperatures
• User limits
• Deadbands
• Temperature mode configuration
• Conditioning mode

Alternatively, users may choose Reset to Defaults to discard simulator changes and restore the original configuration.

| Benefits

The Temperature Mode Simulator provides several operational advantages:

• Eliminates guesswork during temperature configuration.
• Enables validation before deployment.
• Reduces schedule configuration errors.
• Simplifies comparison of supported temperature control strategies.
• Improves commissioning efficiency.
• Enhances occupant comfort through informed configuration decisions.
• Supports energy-efficient HVAC operation by allowing users to evaluate control behavior before applying changes.

| Best Practices

• Verify heating and cooling user limits before modifying desired temperatures.
• Ensure deadband values provide sufficient separation between heating and cooling operation.
• Use Auto conditioning mode for general occupancy unless operational requirements dictate otherwise.
• Review simulator output before overwriting the schedule.
• When applicable, enable Follow Building User Limits, Deadband and Setback to maintain consistency across all zones.
• Use the simulator during commissioning and seasonal schedule adjustments to validate HVAC behavior without impacting live operations.

| Feature Summary

The Temperature Mode Simulator is a configuration validation tool that enables users to model and compare supported HVAC temperature control strategies prior to deployment. By combining real-time visualization, interactive parameter adjustment, and direct schedule integration, the simulator simplifies temperature schedule configuration while improving accuracy, consistency, and operational efficiency across building zones.

This feature reduces commissioning effort, minimizes configuration errors, and provides greater confidence when implementing temperature schedules in production environments.