Methods and devices for a building monitoring system

Abstract

A building monitoring system, wherein the system comprises an HVAC monitor, which comprised a condensing unit connector, an air handler connector, a thermostat connector and a control module, a wetness detector; and a communicator. The communicator accesses a location of the building monitoring system and selectively communicates with a technician based at least in part on the location. A monitor system for use with an existing HVAC unit, wherein the HVAC unit has a condenser or furnace, an air handler, and a thermostat, the HVAC monitor system comprising at least one condenser or furnace sensor, at least one air handler sensor and at least one control module. A wetness monitor system, comprising at least one wetness detector connected to a control, wherein the control is also connected to a network and the network is connected to a flow shutoff valve. A method of monitoring a location for wetness comprising detecting wetness through at least one wetness detector, monitoring the state of a shutoff valve.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A building monitoring system, said system comprising:
 an HVAC monitor, comprising a condensing unit connector, an air handler connector, a thermostat connector and a control module;   a wetness detector; and   a communicator, wherein the communicator accesses a location of the building monitoring system and selectively communicates with a technician based at least in part on the location.   
     
     
         2 . The building monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein a user selects whether to contact the technician. 
     
     
         3 . The building monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the technician is selected based on the location or anticipated location of the technician. 
     
     
         4 . The building monitoring system of  claim 3 , wherein the technician is selected further based on parts or tools available to the technician. 
     
     
         5 . The building monitoring system of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC monitor and the wetness detector create a fault notification, wherein the fault notification has characteristics and wherein the technician is selected at least in part based on the characteristics of the fault notification. 
     
     
         6 . A method for monitoring a building having a steward, the method comprising:
 receiving operating information from a HVAC system and at least one wetness detector;   detecting a fault status based on the information and creating a fault notification;   communicating the fault notification to the steward;   determining an appropriate technician to address the fault status based at least in part on the fault status and the location of the building; and   selectively contacting the technician and requesting a response.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , the technician is selected based on an input from the steward. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a plurality of technicians are communicated to the steward and the technician is selected from the plurality of technicians by owner. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the technician is selected at least in part based on an evaluation of whether the technician is close proximity to the steward, or has parts or tools to address the fault. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising defining nominal operating conditions for the HVAC system and/or the wetness detector and defining the fault status as a condition outside of the nominal operating conditions. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising tracking a plurality of fault statuses and information related to the fault statuses. 
     
     
         12 . A monitor system for use with an existing HVAC unit, wherein the HVAC unit has a condenser or furnace, an air handler, and a thermostat, the HVAC monitor system comprising:
 at least one condenser or furnace sensor, at least one air handler sensor and at least one control module connected to the sensors and the thermostat, wherein the control comprises a processor and wherein the processor detects the existence of a fault based on information from the sensors; and   a transceiver to relay information from the control to a network, wherein the network can communicate a fault notification to a user;   a bypass that allows the HVAC unit to bypass the monitor system to maintain operation of the HVAC unit in the event of failure of the monitor system.   
     
     
         13 . The monitor system of  claim 12 , wherein the control module comprises a monitoring center module, a condensing module, and an air handler module wherein the monitoring center module has at least one connection point to connect the condensing module and air handler module to the control module. 
     
     
         14 . The monitor system of  claim 12 , wherein the condenser or furnace, the air handler and the thermostat have terminals and wherein the bypass comprises at least one relay that couples to the condenser or furnace terminals, the air handler terminals, and the thermostat terminals. 
     
     
         15 . The monitor system of  claim 12 , wherein the HVAC unit comprises a fault detection system, and an LED pulse that communicates a detected fault to a user, wherein the monitor system further comprises a LED code reader sensor that reads the LED pulse wherein the LED code reader sensor is a photodiode sensor. 
     
     
         16 . The monitor system of  claim 12  wherein the condenser or furnace sensor is selected from at least one of a fault circuit, a main current transducer, a fan motor current transducer, and a compressor current transducer and wherein the air handler sensor is selected from at least one of return air temperature sensor, supply air temperature sensor, fluid detector, motor current transducer and a flow meter. 
     
     
         17 . A wetness monitor system, comprising:
 at least one wetness detector connected to a control, wherein the control is also connected to a network and the network is connected to a flow shutoff valve; wherein the control senses whether the shutoff valve in an open state or a closed state, and wherein the network communicates a notification to a user based on the state of the shutoff valve and whether wetness is detected by the at least one wetness detector.   
     
     
         18 . The wetness monitor system of  claim 17  wherein the wetness detector can further comprise a wetness detection coil wherein the wetness detection coil is an induction coil. 
     
     
         19 . A method of monitoring a location for wetness comprising:
 detecting wetness through at least one wetness detector;   monitoring the state of a shutoff valve to determine if the shutoff valve is in an open or a closed state;   notifying a user of a change the at least one wetness detector or state of the shutoff valve; and   allowing a steward to remotely close and/or open the shutoff valve.   
     
     
         20 . A method of monitoring a location for wetness of  claim 19 , wherein the user determines the location of the wetness detector within a building through a computing device.