Method for controlling multiple indoor air quality parameters

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved method and system for controlling an HVAC system for managing multiple indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters. An acceptable range is defined for each of the IAQ parameter. The parameters are then monitored by sensors within a controlled space. The parameters may comprise temperature, humidity, smoke, radon, VOCs, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons, oxygen, ozone, and odors. The invention maintains the IAQ parameters within their respective acceptable ranges by automatically manipulating certain HVAC system functions including heating, cooling, humidification, dehumidification, ventilation, addition or removal of materials or compounds which affect IAQ parameters, airflow volume and air recirculation. In one embodiment of the invention, a non-HVAC-specific venting system is used to augment HVAC adjustment of airflow volume and air recirculation. This may include bathroom, kitchen and attic venting systems as well as whole-home vacuum systems.

1 . A method for using a heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system to control indoor air quality (IAQ), the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) setting an acceptable range for each of a plurality of IAQ parameters;   (b) measuring said IAQ parameters; and   (c) controlling HVAC functions to maintain at least one of said IAQ parameters within its respective acceptable range.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the IAQ parameters include at least one of the following: volatile organic compounds (VOCs); carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; oxygen; ozone; radon; smoke; odors; particulates, and hydrocarbons. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising automatically controlling a non-HVAC-specific venting system to augment HVAC adjustment. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a bathroom exhaust vent. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a kitchen exhaust vent. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the non-HVAC specific venting system comprises a laundry exhaust vent. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a whole-house vacuum system. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the non-HVAC specific venting system is an attic fan. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high CO2 and the controlled HVAC function is increased ventilation. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high CO and the controlled HVAC function is increased ventilation. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high radon and the controlled HVAC function is increased ventilation. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high particulate level and the controlled HVAC function is increased circulation and filtration. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high particulate level and the controlled HVAC function is increased circulation. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high particulate level and the controlled HVAC function is shutting down circulation. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high VOC level and the controlled HVAC function is ventilation. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high VOC level and the controlled HVAC function is increased ventilation. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein a measured IAQ parameter is a high VOC level and the controlled HVAC function is air purification. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein control of an HVAC function is based on a hierarchy of control. 
   
   
       19 . A heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) control system that manages indoor air quality (IAQ), the control system comprising:
 (a) a controller coupled to sensors that measure said IAQ parameters and having a memory to store settings for an acceptable range for each of a plurality of IAQ parameters;   (b) a processor that adjusts HVAC functions to maintain at least one of said IAQ parameters within its respective acceptable range; and wherein said HVAC functions may include heating, cooling, humidifying, dehumidifying, ventilating, the addition or removal of materials or compounds that otherwise affect IAQ parameters, airflow volume, and recirculation of air.   
   
   
       20 . The control system according to  claim 19 , wherein the IAQ parameters include at least one of the following: volatile organic compounds (VOCs); carbon dioxide; carbon monoxide; oxygen; ozone; radon; smoke; odors; particulates, and hydrocarbons. 
   
   
       21 . The control system according to  claim 19 , wherein the control system also automatically controls a non-HVAC-specific venting system to augment HVAC adjustment of airflow volume and air re-circulation. 
   
   
       22 . The control system according to  claim 21 , wherein said non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a bathroom exhaust vent. 
   
   
       23 . The control system according to  claim 21 , wherein said non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a kitchen exhaust vent. 
   
   
       24 . The control system according to  claim 21 , wherein said non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises a whole-house vacuum system. 
   
   
       25 . The control system according to  claim 21 , wherein said non-HVAC-specific venting system comprises an attic fan. 
   
   
       26 . A controller for use with an HVAC-system comprising:
 (a) at least one IAQ sensor; and   (b) a control circuit coupled to both the thermostat and IAQ sensor that produces an output in response to an input from either.   
   
   
       27 . The controller of  claim 26  further comprises:
 (c) a sensor for measuring temperature.   
   
   
       28 . The controller of  claim 27  further comprises
 (d) a display for displaying a temperature and an IAQ measurement.   
   
   
       29 . The controller of  claim 28  wherein said display provides a numerical read-out. 
   
   
       30 . The controller of  claim 28  wherein said display provides a bar graph readout. 
   
   
       31 . The controller of  claim 28  wherein said display provides a range readout. 
   
   
       32 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a particulate sensor. 
   
   
       33 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a CO 2  sensor. 
   
   
       34 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a VOC sensor. 
   
   
       35 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a CO sensor. 
   
   
       37 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a radon sensor. 
   
   
       38 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a hydrocarbon sensor 
   
   
       39 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises a ozone sensor. 
   
   
       40 . The controller of  claim 26  wherein said at least one IAQ sensor comprises an odor sensor 
   
   
       41 . A method for controlling indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters comprising the steps of:
 (a) sensing the levels of IAQ parameters   (b) controlling non-HVAC venting systems to augment HVAC-venting systems.   
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the non-HVAC venting system comprises a bathroom venting system. 
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the non-HVAC venting system comprises a kitchen venting system. 
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the non-HVAC venting system comprises an attic venting system. 
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the non-HVAC venting system comprises a whole house vacuum system.