Abstract: A vent system for improving the efficiency and/or reducing emissions of a combustion device is disclosed. The vent system may include an outer pipe and an inner pipe having a longitudinal section that is permeable to water or water vapor and is longitudinally disposed within the outer pipe. The inner pipe defines a first passageway and the outer and inner pipes define a second passageway therebetween. As the moisture and/or heat are transferred from the flue gas to the intake air through the longitudinal section of the inner pipe, the efficiency of the furnace may be improved and the NOx emission of the furnace may be reduced.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes receiving temperature and humidity measurements of supply air to a serviced space, return air from the serviced space, and outside air, wherein the outside air includes air outside the serviced space, calculating a volumetric flow rate of the outside air entering the system using the received temperature and humidity measurements of the supply air, the return air, and the outside air, calculating an air change per hour (ACH) rate in the serviced space using the calculated volumetric flow rate of the air outside the serviced space entering the system and the volume of the serviced space, and controlling the ACH rate in the serviced space.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring duct leakage in an HVAC system including an indoor unit assembly operably coupled to a processing device, wherein at least one supply air conduit, and at least one return air conduit are coupled to the indoor unit assembly by operating a blower system at a nominal airflow rate, restricting airflow in each of the at least one supply air conduits, and each of the at least one return air conduits; operating the blower system, within the indoor unit assembly, at a first airflow rate; and operating the processing device to calculate a duct leakage airflow and duct leakage measurement.

Abstract: An energy recovery system includes a heating and cooling system having a controller and a furnace or fan coil in fluid communication with each of a return air duct and a supply air duct; and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV) having an intake air duct and an exhaust air duct, the ERV being energized by a direct electrical connection to the heating and cooling system. The return air duct is operable to receive stale conditioned air from a conditioned air space while the controller is configured for controlling the ERV to transfer energy from the stale conditioned air to an outside air stream.

Abstract: A system is provided including a vapor compression cycle. The vapor compression cycle includes an operably coupled compressor, condenser, first expansion device, and evaporator through which a refrigerant circulates. A thermal energy storage unit includes a heat exchanger arranged within a phase change material. The heat exchanger is fluidly coupled to the vapor compression cycle with a plurality of conduits and valves such that refrigerant flows through the heat exchanger in a heat transfer relationship with the phase change material. When the system is in a first mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the evaporator and the phase change material is configured to store thermal energy. When the system is in a second mode, the heat exchanger is configured to function similar to the condenser and the phase change material is configured to release thermal energy.

Abstract: An air handler configured with a plurality of air distribution modules, each including a fan, and at least one damper disposed within to provide and direct conditioned air or fresh air to respective multiple zones of a building.

Abstract: A humidifier is provided and includes a membrane, which is permeable to water of a condensate supply but impermeable to acid of the condensate supply and a housing system to urge airflow across the membrane to humidify air with the water of the condensate supply.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator for a heating or cooling system includes a housing and a heat exchanger located in the housing for recovery of thermal energy from a stale airflow of the heating or cooling system. An exhaust fan positioned in the housing is in flow communication with the heat exchanger to urge the stale airflow from a return port disposed in a first side panel of the housing, across the heat exchanger and toward an exhaust port of the energy recovery ventilator. The exhaust fan and the heat exchanger are configured such that the heat exchanger is removable from the housing via a front panel opening in the housing without disturbing a position of the exhaust fan.

Abstract: An energy recovery ventilator control system is disclosed that is operable to be energized by electrical connection to a heating and cooling system including a thermidistat in fluid communication with each of an intake air duct and an exhaust air duct. The energy recovery ventilator control system is operable to regulate air temperature and humidity within a building using a temperate and humidity control scheme.

Abstract: A flue gas sensor of a combustion device is disclosed. The flue gas sensor may include a housing and a gas detector disposed within the housing, wherein the gas detector detects or measures at least one gas in a flue gas stream of the combustion device. The housing may also include a water barrier member through which the at least one gas comes into contact with the gas detector.

Abstract: A hybrid space and water heating heat pump system includes a heat pump including an outdoor assembly and an indoor assembly; a hot water module including a first heat exchanger, a controller, and a water pump connected to a water line, the first heat exchanger being configured for heating water; and a water heater in fluid communication with the hot water module, the water heater configured for receiving heated water from the first heat exchanger; wherein the controller is configured to select between one of conditioning an interior space or heating of the water in the first heat exchanger; and wherein the heat pump is configured for circulating a refrigerant through a first refrigerant circuit in response to the conditioning of the interior space and circulating the refrigerant through a second refrigerant circuit in response to the heating of the water in the first heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method for controlling a system includes receiving temperature and humidity measurements of supply air to a serviced space, return air from the serviced space, and outside air, wherein the outside air includes air outside the serviced space, calculating a volumetric flow rate of the outside air entering the system using the received temperature and humidity measurements of the supply air, the return air, and the outside air, calculating an air change per hour (ACH) rate in the serviced space using the calculated volumetric flow rate of the air outside the serviced space entering the system and the volume of the serviced space, and controlling the ACH rate in the serviced space.

Abstract: A pre-packaged air conditioning system for providing heating, cooling, ventilation and energy recovery, the system comprising: an energy recovery ventilator, condenser, condenser fan, compressor, expansion device, flow reversing valve, evaporator and evaporator fan; an inlet for providing outside air to the evaporator, the inlet for extending beyond a wall of a host structure; and an exhaust duct for exhausting air outside of the host structure, the exhaust duct for extending beyond a wall to the host structure; wherein the energy recovery ventilator, condenser, condenser fan, compressor, evaporator and evaporator fan are housed within a single envelope configured for installation inside the host structure.

Abstract: A humidifier is provided and includes a membrane, which is permeable to water of a condensate supply but impermeable to acid of the condensate supply and a housing system to urge airflow across the membrane to humidify air with the water of the condensate supply.

Abstract: A vent system for improving the efficiency and/or reducing emissions of a combustion device is disclosed. The vent system may include an outer pipe and an inner pipe having a longitudinal section that is permeable to water or water vapor and is longitudinally disposed within the outer pipe. The inner pipe defines a first passageway and the outer and inner pipes define a second passageway therebetween. As the moisture and/or heat are transferred from the flue gas to the intake air through the longitudinal section of the inner pipe, the efficiency of the furnace may be improved and the NOx emission of the furnace may be reduced.

Abstract: An improved flue gas sensor of a combustion device is disclosed. The flue gas sensor may include a housing and a gas detector disposed within the housing, wherein the gas detector detects or measures at least one gas in a flue gas stream of the combustion device. The housing may also include a water barrier member through which the at least one gas comes into contact with the gas detector. By keeping water and water vapor away from the gas detector, premature failure of the flue gas sensor caused by corrosion may be prevented.

Abstract: A furnace system responsive to a thermostat includes a pollutant sensor for sensing a pollutant concentration in the furnace system. The pollutant sensor is configured to open when the pollutant concentration reaches a pollutant threshold and close when the pollutant concentration falls below the pollutant threshold. When the thermostat is calling for heat, a furnace controller monitors the pollutant sensor and disables the furnace system for a lockout period if a lockout criterion related to the pollutant sensor is met.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for maintaining an acceptable level of outside air exchange rate in a structure. The natural ventilation rate is determined as a function of the outdoor air temperature, and the amount of mechanically induced ventilation that is used to supplement the natural air ventilation is controlled such that the sum of the natural occurring ventilation and the mechanically induced ventilation is maintained by a substantially constant predetermined level. One approach is to use a stepper motor to modulate the position of the damper, while another approach is to use an on/off motor damper and to close the damper at outdoor temperatures below a threshold level and to otherwise leave the damper open and use the regular on/off cycle of the system blower to control the flow of outdoor air, with provision for allowing the fan to remain on for a calculated period of time after the system is cycled off to thereby maintain the desired level of ventilation.

Abstract: A furnace system responsive to a thermostat includes a pollutant sensor for sensing a pollutant concentration in the furnace system. The pollutant sensor is configured to open when the pollutant concentration reaches a pollutant threshold and close when the pollutant concentration falls below the pollutant threshold. When the thermostat is calling for heat, a furnace controller monitors the pollutant sensor and disables the furnace system for a lockout period if a lockout criterion related to the pollutant sensor is met.

Abstract: A computerized method, system and machine-readable medium to enable a user to remotely perform a decorating session on an electronic image are provided. The method includes: receiving, at a client computer, a user-supplied digital image having an area to be decorated; interactively mapping, at the client computer, the area to be decorated with a product to obtain a mapped image; transmitting the mapped image to a web server over a public communications network; and providing either the user or another user access to a user-selected web site supported by the web server over the public communications network to enable the user or other user to perform a decorating session. During the session, the user or other user electronically applies product images to the area to be decorated and views the results of the session prior to generating an order for the product.