Method and system using an HVAC air handler and thermostat for building energy loss testing, monitoring and cost control
First Claim
1. An air handler system including supply duct leakage testing functions, comprising:
- a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice;
b. a duct system comprising at least one supply duct, coupled with said supply orifice, whereby to convey air flow generated by said air blower;
c. an outlet terminating each supply duct;
d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets;
e. means for opening said return orifice to the unrestricted intake of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said return orifice means define a path for air with supply duct leakage as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow;
f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating supply duct leakage rate through the air handler; and
g. means for converting the operating parameter to duct leakage air flow rate,whereby said air handler system measures supply duct leakage air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An improved HVAC air handler and control system adapted for measuring and monitoring operating characteristics, the leakage of supply and return ducts to which it is connected, the infiltration leakage of the building it serves, the blockage of air return paths and the watts drawn and air flow generated by its blower. Leakages are measured by blocking outlets of all supply ducts or all return ducts, opening one side of the air handler to outdoor air, running the air handler blower, and measuring the air flow. Airflow may be measured by opening or closing orifices mounted in plenums attached to the air hander or built into the air handler cabinet, or by varying the speed of the blower motor, in connection with an integrated manometer. Thermostat firmware controls all functions.
40 Citations
7 Claims
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1. An air handler system including supply duct leakage testing functions, comprising:
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a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice; b. a duct system comprising at least one supply duct, coupled with said supply orifice, whereby to convey air flow generated by said air blower; c. an outlet terminating each supply duct; d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets; e. means for opening said return orifice to the unrestricted intake of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said return orifice means define a path for air with supply duct leakage as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow; f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating supply duct leakage rate through the air handler; and g. means for converting the operating parameter to duct leakage air flow rate, whereby said air handler system measures supply duct leakage air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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2. An air handler system including return duct leakage testing functions, comprising:
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a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice; b. a duct system comprising at least one return duct, coupled with said return orifice, whereby to convey air flow input by said air blower; c. an outlet terminating each return duct; d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets; e. means for opening said supply orifice to the unrestricted intake of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said orifice means define a path for air with return duct leakage as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow; f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating return duct leakage air flow rate through the air handler; and g. means for converting the operating parameter to duck leakage air flow rate; whereby said air handler system measures return duct leakage air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs.
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3. An air handler system including building envelope infiltration testing functions, comprising:
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a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice; b. a duct system comprising at least one supply duct, coupled with said supply orifice, whereby to convey air flow input by said air blower; c. an outlet terminating each supply duct; d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets; e. means for opening said supply orifice to the unrestricted intake of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said supply orifice means define a path for air with building envelope infiltration as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow; f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating building envelope infiltration air flow rate through the air handler; and g. means for converting the operating parameter to building infiltration air flow rate; whereby said air handler system measures building envelope infiltration air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs.
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4. An air handler system including building envelope exfiltration testing functions, comprising:
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a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice; b. a duct system comprising at least one return duct, coupled with said return orifice, whereby to convey air flow input by said air blower; c. an outlet terminating each return duct; d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets; e. means for opening said return orifice to the unrestricted intake of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said orifice means define a path for air with building envelope exfiltration as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow; f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating building envelope exfiltration air flow rate through the air handler; and g. means for converting the operating parameter to building envelope exfiltration air flow rate; whereby said air handler system measures building envelope exfiltration air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs.
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5. An air handler system including at least one of duct testing and building envelope leakage functions, comprising:
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a. an air handler comprising a return orifice, an air blower, and a supply orifice; b. a duct system comprising at least one duct, coupled with said at least one of said return orifice and said supply orifice, whereby to cause air flow input by said air blower; c. an outlet terminating each duct; d. means for temporarily blocking air flow through the outlets in combination with said outlets; e. means for opening said return orifice or said supply orifice to enable the unrestricted movement of air from an area outside the air handler, whereby said blocking and said opening means define a path for air with air leakage as the only remaining substantial restriction to the air flow; f. means for measuring at least one air handler operating parameter adapted for calculating leakage air flow rate through the air handler, wherein the leakage air flow is one of supply duck leakage, return duck leakage, building infiltration and building envelope exfiltration; and g. means for converting the operating parameter to leakage air flow rate; whereby said air handler system measures building envelope exfiltration air flow rate from time to time without the need for external test equipment, to aid in achieving and maintaining energy efficiency in a building and determining the need for maintenance or repairs.
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Specification