Selectable efficiency versus comfort for modulating furnace
First Claim
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1. A furnace controller for controlling a modulating furnace, comprising:
- an input device configured to;
receive a first input comprising a heat request signal from a thermostat based on a temperature setpoint;
receive a second input for an efficiency/comfort preference setting,wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting is distinct from the temperature setpoint, andwherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting biases a control algorithm for controlling one or more plenum parameters of the modulating furnace, excluding the temperature setpoint; and
a controller operatively coupled to the input device, the controller is configured to control the modulating furnace in accordance with the control algorithm,wherein the control algorithm causes an air temperature in a plenum of the modulating furnace to be dependent on the received efficiency/comfort preference setting for a given burner firing rate of the modulating furnace, andwherein the air temperature in the plenum is distinct from the temperature setpoint.
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Abstract
A furnace controller for a modulating furnace that helps provide a balance between energy efficiency and occupant comfort across various burner firing rates and/or across various circulating blower speeds. In some cases, the furnace controller can be configured to permit a user to customize operation of the furnace in accordance with their particular needs and/or desires with respect to efficiency and comfort. A selection may be made between an energy efficiency setting and a user comfort setting. Then, a plenum parameter such as a discharge air temperature (DAT) or discharge air flow (DAF) may be regulated in accordance with the selected setting.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A furnace controller for controlling a modulating furnace, comprising:
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an input device configured to; receive a first input comprising a heat request signal from a thermostat based on a temperature setpoint; receive a second input for an efficiency/comfort preference setting, wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting is distinct from the temperature setpoint, and wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting biases a control algorithm for controlling one or more plenum parameters of the modulating furnace, excluding the temperature setpoint; and a controller operatively coupled to the input device, the controller is configured to control the modulating furnace in accordance with the control algorithm, wherein the control algorithm causes an air temperature in a plenum of the modulating furnace to be dependent on the received efficiency/comfort preference setting for a given burner firing rate of the modulating furnace, and wherein the air temperature in the plenum is distinct from the temperature setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A furnace controller for controlling a modulating furnace, comprising:
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an input device configured to; receive a first input comprising a heat request signal from a thermostat based on a temperature setpoint; receive a second input for an efficiency/comfort preference setting wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting is distinct from the temperature setpoint, and wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting biases a control algorithm for controlling one or more plenum parameters of the modulating furnace, excluding the temperature setpoint; and a controller operatively coupled to the input device, the controller is configured to control the modulating furnace in accordance with the control algorithm that, for a given burner firing rate, results in a higher air temperature in a plenum of the modulating furnace when the received efficiency/comfort preference setting is biased toward comfort relative to when biased toward efficiency, and wherein the air temperature in the plenum is distinct from the temperature setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A furnace controller for controlling a modulating furnace, comprising:
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an input device configured to; receive a first input for receiving a heat request signal from a thermostat based on a temperature setpoint; receive a second input for an efficiency/comfort preference setting wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting is distinct from the temperature setpoint, and wherein the efficiency/comfort preference setting biases a control algorithm for controlling one or more plenum parameters of the modulating furnace, excluding the temperature setpoint; and a controller operatively coupled to the input device, the controller is configured to; access a defined relationship between a burner firing rate of the modulating furnace and a plenum parameter, wherein the plenum parameter has a non-constant relationship with the burner firing rate over at least a range of burner firing rates, and wherein for a given burner firing rate, the corresponding plenum parameter is dependent upon the selected efficiency/comfort preference setting; and operate the modulating furnace based at least in part on the defined relationship between the burner firing rate and the plenum parameter. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification