A computer-implemented method of monitoring and controlling an HVAC system which comprises one or more fluid transportation systems with a plurality of parallel zones in each of the fluid transportation systems , the method comprising one or more processors of a computer system performing the steps of: receiving via a communication network from a plurality of devices of the HVAC system a plurality of operating variables of the fluid transportation systems ; determining for each of the operating variables a temporal course of the respective operating variable; and detecting from the temporal courses of the operating variables interdependencies between the temporal courses of the operating variables; characterized by the one or more processors of the computer system performing the steps of: grouping the operating variables and their associated devices into different sets, depending on the interdependencies, each set being related to a different section of the HVAC system and including the operating variables and their associated devices related to the different section of the HVAC system ; and using the sets to control the HVAC system by performing at least one of: controlling the devices of a particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables related to the particular section of the HVAC system , and generating a fault detection message regarding one or more of the devices of the particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables associated with the one or more devices of the particular section of the HVAC system . receiving via a communication network from a plurality of devices of the HVAC system a plurality of operating variables of the fluid transportation systems ; determining for each of the operating variables a temporal course of the respective operating variable; and detecting from the temporal courses of the operating variables interdependencies between the temporal courses of the operating variables; characterized by the one or more processors of the computer system performing the steps of: grouping the operating variables and their associated devices into different sets, depending on the interdependencies, each set being related to a different section of the HVAC system and including the operating variables and their associated devices related to the different section of the HVAC system ; and using the sets to control the HVAC system by performing at least one of: controlling the devices of a particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables related to the particular section of the HVAC system , and generating a fault detection message regarding one or more of the devices of the particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables associated with the one or more devices of the particular section of the HVAC system . grouping the operating variables and their associated devices into different sets, depending on the interdependencies, each set being related to a different section of the HVAC system and including the operating variables and their associated devices related to the different section of the HVAC system ; and using the sets to control the HVAC system by performing at least one of: controlling the devices of a particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables related to the particular section of the HVAC system , and generating a fault detection message regarding one or more of the devices of the particular section of the HVAC system , using the operating variables associated with the one or more devices of the particular section of the HVAC system . <EOS>