Mechanical · MEP (HVAC Systems)
Variable Air Volume (VAV) Control System
Intermediate 4 weeks 30-50 hours
Build a VAV demo: a fan feeds two zones, each with a servo damper and temp sensor. Program the controller to open/close dampers to hit zone setpoints. Show energy savings vs full-open.
Major
Mechanical
Focus area
MEP (HVAC Systems)
Total hours
30-50 hours
What you'll need
- 12V DC centrifugal blower fan
- MG996R metal gear servo motor 2 pack
- DHT22 AM2302 temperature humidity sensor module 2 pack
- Arduino Mega 2560 R3 microcontroller board
- flexible ducting hose 4 inch
- 12V 2A DC power supply adapter
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Steps
- Build a two-zone duct system with a servo damper and temperature sensor in each zone.
- Program the controller to adjust each damper to hit its zone setpoint.
- Run the system with fixed full-open dampers and log fan runtime.
- Run it again with VAV control and log fan runtime.
- Compare energy use and how well each zone holds its setpoint.
- Document the savings and control logic for your portfolio.
What to photograph for your portfolio
- VAV demo build
- zone setpoint tracking
- damper control logs
- energy comparison
Resume bullet starters
Copy one, then swap in your own numbers.
Designed and built a variable air volume (vav) control system using VAV systems, building controls, closed-loop control
Applied Arduino to implement, test, and validate the system end-to-end
Quantified performance with [insert your result, such as accuracy, error reduction, response time, or load capacity] after iterative tuning
Skills you'll show off
VAV systemsbuilding controlsclosed-loop controlArduino