Temperature control in a space served by multiple HVAC equipment

• US 7,621,140 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2005
• Issued: 11/24/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ademco Inc. (Resideo Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Stoner, Marcus D., Schnell, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Norman; Marc E
• Application Number:
  US11/162,212
• Publication Number:
  US 20070044501A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,545 Days
• Field of Search: 621/57, 621/59, 621/60, 622/31, 623/31, 236/1.C
• US Class Current: 62/157
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 12/02 having more than one heat source using heat pumps, in water central heating systems F24D3/18; in air central heating systems F24D5/12; in systems using heat storage masses F24D11/02
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 2200/06 Solid fuel fired boiler
• CPC Class Codes: F24D 2200/12 Heat pump
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/56 Remote control
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 30/00 Energy efficient heating, ventilation or air conditioning [HVAC]

Abstract

A system and method for regulating the operation of first and second temperature modification sources for heating or cooling a building structure is provided. The system switches between the first and second temperature modification sources based on conditions other than just outside temperature.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

activating the first temperature modification source;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

measuring the outside temperature; and

determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

2. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

activating the first temperature modification source;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so;

disabling the first temperature modification source; and

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source; and

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the second temperature modification source modifies the temperature of the inside space more rapidly than the first temperature modification source, at least under current operation conditions.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the second temperature modification source is less efficient to operate than the first temperature modification source under current operation conditions.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising the step of:

waiting a selected period of time after the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point before disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

6. The method of claim 2 comprising the steps of:

receiving a call for heat;

activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

determining if the first temperature modification source is able to satisfy the call for heat within the selected period of time, and if not;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and

returning to the receiving a call for heat step.

7. The method of claim 2 comprising the steps of:

receiving a call for heat;

activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not moving toward the temperature set point, and if not;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and

returning to the receiving a call for heat step.

8. The method of claim 2 wherein the first temperature modification source is a heat pump.

9. The method of claim 2 wherein the second temperature modification source is a fuel fired furnace.

10. The method of claim 2 wherein the second temperature modification source is an electrically powered heater.

11. The method of claim 2 wherein the second temperature modification source is an electrically powered air conditioner.

12. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

receiving a call for heat;

activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

determining if the first temperature modification source is able to satisfy the call for heat within a selected period of time, and if not;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and

returning to the receiving a call for heat step.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the first temperature modification source is a heat pump.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the second temperature modification source is a fuel fired furnace.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the second temperature modification source is an electrically powered heater.

16. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

receiving a call for heat;

activating the first temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building does not reach the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if not;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

activating the second temperature modification source to satisfy the call for heat;

disabling the second temperature modification source after the call for heat is satisfied; and

returning to the receiving a call for heat step.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the first temperature modification source is a heat pump.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the second temperature modification source is a fuel fired furnace.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the second temperature modification source is an electrically powered heater.

20. A controller for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the controller comprising:

means for disabling the second temperature modification source;

means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;

means for determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and when so;

means for disabling the first temperature modification source;

means for at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

means for determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, and when so;

means for disabling the second temperature modification source; and

means for at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

21. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;

determining to activate the second temperature modification source and to disabled the first temperature modification source;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

determining a load on the second temperature modification source;

determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load limit, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source; and

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

22. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source;

determining a load on the first temperature modification source, and if the load on the first temperature modification source exceeds a selected load level;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

determining if/when the load on the second temperature modification source falls below a selected load level, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source; and

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein the selected load level of the first temperature modification device and the selected load level of the second temperature modification device are based at least in part on one or more operating conditions.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the one or more operating conditions include one or more of an outside air temperature, an outside humidity level, an outside wind speed, an outside wind direction, a precipitation value, a time of day value, a time of year value, and a temperature set point for the inside space.

25. A method for controlling an HVAC system that services an inside space of a building, the HVAC system including a heat pump and a fuel fired furnace for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the HVAC system further including a controller and a current temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the fuel fired furnace;

at least selectively activating the heat pump;

determining if one or more outdoor conditions external to the building fall outside of a selected threshold, and if so;

disabling the heat pump;

at least selectively activating the fuel fired furnace;

waiting a selected period of time, and then;

disabling the fuel fired furnace; and

at least selectively activating the heat pump.

26. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

activating the first temperature modification source;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

measuring the outside temperature;

determining if the outside temperature has changed by a predetermined amount, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source and at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.

27. A method for controlling an environmental control system that services an inside space of a building, the environmental control system having a first temperature modification source and a second temperature modification source, both for modifying the temperature of the inside space of the building, the environmental control system further having a temperature set point, the method comprising:

disabling the second temperature modification source;

activating the first temperature modification source;

determining if the temperature of the inside space of the building is moving away from the temperature set point, and/or not reaching the temperature set point within a selected period of time, and if so;

disabling the first temperature modification source;

at least selectively activating the second temperature modification source;

after the second temperature modification source is at least selectively activated, determining if/when the temperature of the inside space of the building has a predetermined relationship with the temperature set point, and if so;

disabling the second temperature modification source; and

at least selectively activating the first temperature modification source.