Combination radiant and forced air climate control system
First Claim
1. A method of controlling the operation of a zoned climate control system having a primary radiant heating system, a secondary forced air heating system and a cooling unit, the zoned climate control system having a plurality of individual zones, each individual zone having a thermostat that generates a heating demand signal and a cooling demand signal based upon user selectable temperature parameters, the method of comprising the steps of:
- providing at least one controller for the zoned climate control system, the controller being operatively connected to the primary radiant heating system, the secondary forced air heating system and the cooling unit;
designating in the controller whether each zone is a radiant-only zone or a forced air and radiant zone;
monitoring for the generation of a heating demand signal or a cooling demand signal from any one of the zone thermostats;
determining whether the controller is currently activating the cooling unit upon receipt of a demand for heat from one of the individual zones;
preventing the supply of heat to any of the zones designated as a forced air and radiant zone when the controller is currently activating the cooling unit; and
allowing the supply of heat to any of the zones designated as a radiant-only zone when the controller is currently activating the cooling unit.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and controller for controlling the operation of a zoned climate control system including a primary heat source, a secondary heat source, a cooling unit, and a humidifier unit. The controller is configured to receive both heating demand signals and cooling demand signals from a plurality of zone thermostats positioned throughout the residence. Upon receiving a heating demand signal, the controller operates the primary heat source to provide heat to the zone issuing the heating demand signal. The controller determines whether the primary heat source satisfies the heating demand signal within a maximum heating period. If the heating demand is not satisfied within this period, the controller activates the secondary heat source to supplement the heat being supplied by the primary heat source.
115 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of controlling the operation of a zoned climate control system having a primary radiant heating system, a secondary forced air heating system and a cooling unit, the zoned climate control system having a plurality of individual zones, each individual zone having a thermostat that generates a heating demand signal and a cooling demand signal based upon user selectable temperature parameters, the method of comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one controller for the zoned climate control system, the controller being operatively connected to the primary radiant heating system, the secondary forced air heating system and the cooling unit; designating in the controller whether each zone is a radiant-only zone or a forced air and radiant zone; monitoring for the generation of a heating demand signal or a cooling demand signal from any one of the zone thermostats; determining whether the controller is currently activating the cooling unit upon receipt of a demand for heat from one of the individual zones; preventing the supply of heat to any of the zones designated as a forced air and radiant zone when the controller is currently activating the cooling unit; and allowing the supply of heat to any of the zones designated as a radiant-only zone when the controller is currently activating the cooling unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling operation of a zoned climate control system having a primary radiant heating system, a secondary forced air heating system, and a cooling unit, the zoned climate control system having a plurality of individual zones each having a zone thermostat, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing at least one controller for the zoned climate control system, and designating in the controller whether each zone is a radiant-only zone or a forced air and radiant zone; monitoring for the generation of a heating demand signal from any one of the zone thermostats; upon generation of a heating demand signal from any one of the zone thermostats, opening a zone valve or circulator for the individual zone generating the heating demand signal to provide heat from the primary radiant heating system to the individual zone generating the heating demand signal; monitoring the duration of time that heat is supplied to the individual zone demanding heat by the primary radiant heating system; comparing the duration of time that heat is supplied from the primary radiant heating system to the individual zone demanding heat to a predetermined maximum heating period; opening a zone damper for the individual zone generating the heating demand signal only if the individual zone is designated as a forced air and radiant zone to provide heat from the secondary forced air heating system to the individual zone demanding heat when the duration of time that heat is supplied to the individual zone demanding heat by the primary radiant heating system exceeds the maximum heating period. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification