Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may include a controller that analyzes data from HVAC systems, determines if one or more of the HVAC systems may benefit from a particular product or service, and outputs the HVAC systems that are determined to benefit from a particular product or service.

Abstract: An HVAC controller and/or server may be programmed to determine if ventilation of a building is desired based, at least in part, on the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in a memory, and one or more of a measure of indoor air quality and a measure of outdoor air quality. The air quality parameter threshold may relate to an air quality index, an air pollutant concentration, a smog alert, a pollen count, a dew point, a chance of precipitation, and/or the like. In addition, the HVAC controller and/or server may take into account current or future weather conditions when determining the ventilation needs of a building. Upon determining that ventilation is needed or recommended, the HVAC controller may send or display a message to the user. The message may recommendation that the user open a window or operate a ventilation system, as desired.

Abstract: An HVAC controller and/or server may be programmed to determine if ventilation of a building is desired based, at least in part, on the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in a memory, and one or more of a measure of indoor air quality and a measure of outdoor air quality. The air quality parameter threshold may relate to an air quality index, an air pollutant concentration, a smog alert, a pollen count, a dew point, a chance of precipitation, and/or the like. In addition, the HVAC controller and/or server may take into account current or future weather conditions when determining the ventilation needs of a building. Upon determining that ventilation is needed or recommended, the HVAC controller may send or display a message to the user. The message may recommendation that the user open a window or operate a ventilation system, as desired.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to control an HVAC system according to a comfort mode and an economy mode. When the HVAC system is operating according to the comfort mode, the HVAC system may primarily draw energy from a locally generated energy source or local energy storage system. The HVAC controller may be programmed to transition the HVAC system from operating according to the comfort mode to operating according to an economy mode, wherein the economy mode is a more energy efficient that the comfort mode.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed using a mobile device that includes a touch screen display configured to display information and to permit a user to enter information, a network connection configured to communicate with a remote server that is itself in operative communication with the HVAC controller, and a controller in operative communication with the touch screen display and the network connection. The controller may be configured to receive one or more messages related to the operation of the HVAC system via the network connection, and to display the one or more messages on the touch screen display.

Abstract: A building automation system for controlling building automation equipment includes a memory for storing one or more user defined macros, wherein each of the one or more user defined macros includes a user selected trigger and a user selected action. A controller is operatively coupled to the memory, wherein for each of the one or more user defined macros, the controller is configured to identify when the user selected trigger occurs, and in response, output one or more control signals to achieve the corresponding user selected action.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed using a mobile device that includes a touch screen display configured to display information and to permit a user to enter information. A network connection is configured to communicate with a remote server that is itself in operative communication with the HVAC controller. A controller may display one or more screens on the touch screen display of the mobile device and to accept input from a user to remotely program one or more functions of the HVAC controller. The controller may provide a tour via the touch screen display of the mobile device that guides a user though programming functions of the HVAC controller and may output the one or more programmed functions of the HVAC controller to the remote server via the network connection.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may include a controller that analyzes data from HVAC systems, determines a thermal model of a space environmentally controlled by an HVAC system, and provides an energy audit of the space that is environmentally controlled by the HVAC system. The controller may output a result of the energy audit to a user.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may include a controller that analyzes data from HVAC systems, determines a thermal model of a space environmentally controlled by an HVAC system, and provides an energy audit of the space that is environmentally controlled by the HVAC system. The controller may output a result of the energy audit to a user.

Abstract: A system that allows a contractor to remotely monitor and/or interact with its customers' building control systems, such as heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, and analyze information obtained from the building control systems over time. Such a system may help the contractor monitor and diagnosis customer building control systems, setup service calls, achieve better customer relations, create more effective marketing opportunities, as well as other functions. In some cases, the disclosed system may include a controller that analyzes data from HVAC systems, determines if one or more of the HVAC systems may benefit from a particular product or service, and outputs the HVAC systems that are determined to benefit from a particular product or service.

Abstract: An HVAC controller and/or server may be programmed to determine if ventilation of a building is desired based, at least in part, on the one or more user-specified air quality thresholds stored in a memory, and one or more of a measure of indoor air quality and a measure of outdoor air quality. The air quality parameter threshold may relate to an air quality index, an air pollutant concentration, a smog alert, a pollen count, a dew point, a chance of precipitation, and/or the like. In addition, the HVAC controller and/or server may take into account current or future weather conditions when determining the ventilation needs of a building. Upon determining that ventilation is needed or recommended, the HVAC controller may send or display a message to the user. The message may recommendation that the user open a window or operate a ventilation system, as desired.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to control an HVAC system according to a comfort mode and an economy mode. When the HVAC system is operating according to the comfort mode, the HVAC system may primarily draw energy from a locally generated energy source or local energy storage system.

Abstract: A building automation system may be controlled in response to a natural language voice message. The natural language voice message may be recorded and then sent to a voice command manager via a network. The natural language voice message is then translated into a command recognizable by a building automation controller of the building automation system. Voice recognition software may be used to create a natural language text based message from the recorded natural voice message, and the natural language text based message may then be translated into the command recognizable by the building automation controller. In response to the command, the building automation controller may perform the desired action.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.

Abstract: A zone control panel for use with an HVAC system having zone control and a variable speed blower, and a method for controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device. In one aspect, the zone control panel includes a plurality of thermostat terminals for receiving thermostat signals, a plurality of damper terminals for transmitting damper control signals, and one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower. The zone control panel also includes a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or for initiating a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower.

Abstract: A zone control panel for use with an HVAC system having zone control and a variable speed blower, and a method for controlling a fluid temperature conditioning device. In one aspect, the zone control panel includes a plurality of thermostat terminals for receiving thermostat signals, a plurality of damper terminals for transmitting damper control signals, and one or more terminals for transmitting signals to control a fluid temperature conditioning device having a variable speed blower. The zone control panel also includes a blower terminal for transmitting a signal to a dehumidification terminal associated with the fluid temperature conditioning device, where the dehumidification terminal is labeled or indicated for use with a dehumidification operating mode or for initiating a dehumidification operating mode of the variable speed blower.

Abstract: A zone control panel that is easy and intuitive to use and to program. In some embodiments, a zone control panel may be configured to have an easy to use, single level menu structure with, for example, a configuration mode and/or a checkout mode. The configuration mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. Likewise, the checkout mode may, if present, include a number of menu screens sometimes without any sub-menu levels. A mode selector may be provided to select a particular mode, after which, the menu screens that correspond to the selected mode may be sequentially displayed to the user. Other features and aspects are also disclosed.