Abstract: A plant air purifier with filter material within a filter bed container, wherein the filter material can both allow air to pass through it during the unit's air purification phase and for water to submerge the filter material during its remoisturization phase The unit itself passes through various phases and sub phases: an air purification phase; followed by a remoisturization phase, which includes an immersion of the filter material sub phase, and a draining away of the water during its drainage sub phase. And in some cases, a soaking sub phase of the filter material for some time. Three different embodiments of the unit are provided: a unit with a separate soaking; chamber outside the unit; one with an outer pot surrounding the filter container; and one with a flapper below the filter bed container.

Abstract: A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air.

Abstract: A plant air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising: at least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.

Abstract: A method by which an organization with plurality of employees and/or insureds and/or members takes steps intended to reduce its costs for providing healthcare, by establishing a wellness and prevention program which comprises at least one of the following: paying for costs of installing plant air purifiers in a workplace of said employees and/or insureds and/or members; paying for costs of installing plant air purifiers in places of residence of said employees and/or insureds; wherein: said plant air purifiers include a mechanism for forcing air to pass through a filter bed thereof in which said plants are rooted.

Abstract: A system and related method for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium suitable for growing plants rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof; a micro-irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to the filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of the filter bed comprising that region of the filter bed configured so as to substantially have the airflow flowing therethrough; and micro-irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of a top surface area of the active region.

Abstract: A plant air purifying enclosure, or “PAPE,” contained within an unconditioned space, either within or outside a building, containing therein a plant air purifier, which is used to purify air using plants and microbes growing therein. The PAPE enclosure itself receives poor indoor quality air from within structure where the PAPE is located or from a structure close by along with thermal energy which keeps the plant air purifier enclosure at a suitable temperature for the plants and air cleaning microbes within the air purifier. Poor air enters the enclosure, is purified by the plants and microbes, and returns in purified form back to the habitable space from which it was taken. This lowers the amount of outside air needed for ventilation purposes and so lessens a building's overall energy consumption while providing efficiently for naturally purified air.

Abstract: A system and related method for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium suitable for growing plants rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof; a micro-irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to the filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of the filter bed comprising that region of the filter bed configured so as to substantially have the airflow flowing therethrough; and micro-irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of a top surface area of the active region.

Abstract: A system and related method for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium suitable for growing plants rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof; a micro-irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to the filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of the filter bed comprising that region of the filter bed configured so as to substantially have the airflow flowing therethrough; and micro-irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of a top surface area of the active region.

Abstract: A thermal storage system (100) and related method, comprising: a thermal collector (101); a thermal storage sink (102); at least one thermal storage transport conduit (8) for transporting thermal energy from the thermal collector to the thermal storage sink for storage therein; at least one thermal delivery conduit (11) for transporting the thermal energy from the thermal storage sink to an indoor-air space for use therein; a thermal storage liquid (21) within the thermal storage sink; and baled waste tires (14) for enhancing thermal storage.

Abstract: A system and related method for purifying indoor air comprising: a filter bed comprising a growing medium suitable for growing plants rooted therein and configured to be capable of sustaining an airflow therethrough between a top surface thereof and a bottom surface thereof; a micro-irrigation system comprising a plurality of irrigation source outlets for delivering water to the filter bed in a substantially-uniform fashion; an active region of the filter bed comprising that region of the filter bed configured so as to substantially have the airflow flowing therethrough; and micro-irrigation system configured such that water therefrom is capable of being projected so as to reach at least 50% of a top surface area of the active region.

Abstract: A plant air purifier and associated method for purifying air, comprising: at least one grow container; a filter bed comprising a surface which is horizontal within 20 degrees of a horizontal plane; at least one plant which grows within the filter bed; a reservoir for containing water for watering the at least one plant; a mechanical watering device which waters the filter bed from the top down; a pump for pumping water from the reservoir to and through the mechanical watering device; and an air propulsion mechanism for propelling air through the filter bed.