Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a high-efficiency heat pump that includes a frame, as well as a first circuit, a first compressor, a condenser heat exchanger, a first electronic expansion valve, an evaporator heat exchanger, and a controller. The first circuit, the first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be supported by the frame. The first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be connected to the first circuit. The controller can be in electronic communication with the first electronic expansion valve, and the controller can be configured to control operation of the first electronic expansion valve and/or the second electronic expansion valve.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a round energy transfer component. The ground energy transfer component can include an outer tube having an upper end and a lower end. The outer tube can be constructed out of generally thermally conductive material. The ground energy transfer component can include an inner tube. The inner tube can be constructed out of generally thermally insulative material. The inner tube can be coupled to the outer tube and positioned generally coaxially with the outer tube to define a generally thermally insulated interior of the inner tube and a channel between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube can have an upper end and a lower end, with the inner tube's lower end defining one or more openings to permit fluid communication between the channel and the interior of the inner tube. The ground energy transfer component can include a base connected to the lower end of the outer tube to substantially seal the lower end of the outer tube.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling. The method can include operating an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers. The method can include collecting HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system via sensors positioned in various places throughout the HVAC system. The method can include transmitting an update that includes HVAC fluid information. The method can include receiving control instructions at a heat pump controller. The method can include implementing the control instructions with the heat pump controller. Steps of the method can be repeated periodically during operation of the HVAC system.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a device for enabling an HVAC component to be easily connected to, and disconnected from, an HVAC system. The device can include a modular distribution box, hot and cold HVAC fluid inlet pipes, HVAC component supply and HVAC component return pipes, and hot and cold HVAC fluid outlet pipes, each of which can be coupled to the modular distribution box, and each of which can have a connector. The hot HVAC fluid inlet pipe's connector can be configured to connect to a hot HVAC pipe, and the cold HVAC fluid inlet pipe's connector can be configured to connect to a cold HVAC pipe. The HVAC component supply pipe's connector can be configured to connect to an inlet pipe of the HVAC component, and the HVAC component return pipe's connector can be configured to connect to an outlet pipe of the HVAC component.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a high-efficiency heat pump that includes a frame, as well as a first circuit, a first compressor, a condenser heat exchanger, a first electronic expansion valve, an evaporator heat exchanger, and a controller. The first circuit, the first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be supported by the frame. The first compressor, the condenser heat exchanger, the first electronic expansion valve, and the evaporator heat exchanger can be connected to the first circuit. The controller can be in electronic communication with the first electronic expansion valve, and the controller can be configured to control operation of the first electronic expansion valve and/or the second electronic expansion valve.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a round energy transfer component. The ground energy transfer component can include an outer tube having an upper end and a lower end. The outer tube can be constructed out of generally thermally conductive material. The ground energy transfer component can include an inner tube. The inner tube can be constructed out of generally thermally insulative material. The inner tube can be coupled to the outer tube and positioned generally coaxially with the outer tube to define a generally thermally insulated interior of the inner tube and a channel between the inner tube and the outer tube. The inner tube can have an upper end and a lower end, with the inner tube's lower end defining one or more openings to permit fluid communication between the channel and the interior of the inner tube. The ground energy transfer component can include a base connected to the lower end of the outer tube to substantially seal the lower end of the outer tube.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a device for enabling an HVAC component to be easily connected to, and disconnected from, an HVAC system. The device can include a modular distribution box, hot and cold HVAC fluid inlet pipes, HVAC component supply and HVAC component return pipes, and hot and cold HVAC fluid outlet pipes, each of which can be coupled to the modular distribution box, and each of which can have a connector. The hot HVAC fluid inlet pipe's connector can be configured to connect to a hot HVAC pipe, and the cold HVAC fluid inlet pipe's connector can be configured to connect to a cold HVAC pipe. The HVAC component supply pipe's connector can be configured to connect to an inlet pipe of the HVAC component, and the HVAC component return pipe's connector can be configured to connect to an outlet pipe of the HVAC component.

Abstract: As discussed herein, a first aspect of the present invention provides a method of providing improved efficiency in heating/cooling. The method can include operating an HVAC system that includes first and second heat pump compressors working together with corresponding heat pump expansion valves and heat pump heat exchangers. The method can include collecting HVAC fluid information concerning actual conditions of an HVAC fluid flowing in the HVAC system via sensors positioned in various places throughout the HVAC system. The method can include transmitting an update that includes HVAC fluid information. The method can include receiving control instructions at a heat pump controller. The method can include implementing the control instructions with the heat pump controller. Steps of the method can be repeated periodically during operation of the HVAC system.