Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

Abstract: A system that provides effective and efficient introduction of water droplets into an air flow. The water droplets are sufficiently small so as to evaporate primarily before leaving the mixing enclosure where the droplets are injected by spray nozzles. Large droplets are kept to a minimum, thus reducing condensation and water accumulation to a very small amount. An amount of water usage is significantly less than that of a conventional evaporative humidifier of the same capacity. The present system may be placed in an enclosure that can readily replace other conventional evaporative humidifiers in enclosures. The present enclosure and system may be installed in lieu of a conventional enclosure and evaporative humidifier with minimal effort. The present enclosure has features that facilitate droplet to air mixing, viewing, humidification, and testing. In permissible situations, the present system may replace a conventional system but retain the conventional enclosure.

Abstract: A system that provides effective and efficient introduction of water droplets into an air flow. The water droplets are sufficiently small so as to evaporate primarily before leaving the mixing enclosure where the droplets are injected by spray nozzles. Large droplets are kept to a minimum, thus reducing condensation and water accumulation to a very small amount. An amount of water usage is significantly less than that of a conventional evaporative humidifier of the same capacity. The present system may be placed in an enclosure that can readily replace other conventional evaporative humidifiers in enclosures. The present enclosure and system may be installed in lieu of a conventional enclosure and evaporative humidifier with minimal effort. The present enclosure has features that facilitate droplet to air mixing, viewing, humidification, and testing. In permissible situations, the present system may replace a conventional system but retain the conventional enclosure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

Abstract: A call for humidity signal may activate a water valve of a humidifier to cause water to flow onto a humidifier pad within the humidifier. In some examples, a controller may activate the water valve in a pattern such that most of the water evaporates, rather than flowing to a drain system, yet still provides the requested humidity level. In some examples, the controller is configured to cause the water valve to deliver water to the humidifier pad in a water delivery pattern having a controlled period and a controlled duty cycle.

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 device includes a housing and a conduit tube that defines a lumen into the housing. The conduit tube and/or housing are configured such that rotating the conduit tube relative to the housing changes the direction that an outlet of the conduit tube faces. This may promote easier installation and/or maintenance of the HVAC device in the field, especially in cramped and/or poorly illuminated areas.

Abstract: An HVAC controller such as a thermostat may include a housing having an aperture formed within the housing and a proximity sensor that is disposed within the housing proximate the aperture. The proximity sensor may include a sense die that has a first IR detector and a second IR detector, and a lens element disposed in front of the sense die. The lens element may be shifted to one side to preferentially direct incident IR energy to the first IR detector at the expense of the second IR detector. An IR energy transparent element may be disposed in front of the lens element, and may include a portion that fits into and seals the aperture formed within the housing. A controller may be configured to receive an electrical signal from the proximity sensor indicating an approach of an individual towards the thermostat, and in response, wake-up a user interface.

Abstract: A system that provides effective and efficient introduction of water droplets into an air flow. The water droplets are sufficiently small so as to evaporate primarily before leaving the mixing enclosure where the droplets are injected by spray nozzles. Large droplets are kept to a minimum, thus reducing condensation and water accumulation to a very small amount. An amount of water usage is significantly less than that of a conventional evaporative humidifier of the same capacity. The present system may be placed in an enclosure that can readily replace other conventional evaporative humidifiers in enclosures. The present enclosure and system may be installed in lieu of a conventional enclosure and evaporative humidifier with minimal effort. The present enclosure has features that facilitate droplet to air mixing, viewing, humidification, and testing. In permissible situations, the present system may replace a conventional system but retain the conventional enclosure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for humidifying are described herein. One method includes determining a temperature in a space associated with a humidifying unit, determining a relative humidity in the space, determining an air speed associated with the humidifying unit, and adjusting an amount of water sprayed by the humidifying unit based, at least in part, on the temperature, the relative humidity, and the air speed.

Abstract: An HVAC device includes a housing and a conduit tube that defines a lumen into the housing. The conduit tube and/or housing are configured such that rotating the conduit tube relative to the housing changes the direction that an outlet of the conduit tube faces. This may promote easier installation and/or maintenance of the HVAC device in the field, especially in cramped and/or poorly illuminated areas.

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 improved humidifier system for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system. The humidifier system includes an air path that is configured to accept air from a first HVAC duct and return air to a second HVAC duct. A damper is disposed in the air path to selectively substantially block the flow of air in the air path, or to substantially not block the flow of air in the air path. In some cases, the damper may be a motorized damper, and the humidifier system may include a controller that is configured to cause the motorized damper to not substantially block the flow of air in the air path during a call for humidifier operation, and to substantially block the flow of air in the air path after the call for humidifier operation ends. Alternatively, the damper may be manually actuated, and an HVAC controller may be configured to notify when the damper should be moved (e.g. between seasons).

Abstract: An improved humidifier system for adding humidity to an air stream of an HVAC system. The humidifier system includes an air path that is configured to accept air from a first HVAC duct and return air to a second HVAC duct. A damper is disposed in the air path to selectively substantially block the flow of air in the air path, or to substantially not block the flow of air in the air path. In some cases, the damper may be a motorized damper, and the humidifier system may include a controller that is configured to cause the motorized damper to not substantially block the flow of air in the air path during a call for humidifier operation, and to substantially block the flow of air in the air path after the call for humidifier operation ends. Alternatively, the damper may be manually actuated, and an HVAC controller may be configured to notify when the damper should be moved (e.g. between seasons).

Abstract: A wall plate assembly for an HVAC controller may include a rear plate including an aperture extending through the rear plate and a front plate securable to the rear plate. In some cases, the front plate may have a recessed portion that is recessed back toward the rear plate and align with the aperture in the rear plate. An air flow barrier may be secured to the recessed portion of the front plate. The air flow barrier may include a barrier surface that covers a portion of the aperture formed in the recessed portion of the front plate to reduce air infiltration. The air flow barrier may include an air flow barrier aperture that is sized to accommodate wires passing through the aperture in the recessed portion of the front plate for connection to a wire connection block of the front plate.

Abstract: An HVAC controller such as a thermostat may include a housing having an aperture formed within the housing and a proximity sensor that is disposed within the housing proximate the aperture. The proximity sensor may include a sense die that has a first IR detector and a second IR detector, and a lens element disposed in front of the sense die. The lens element may be shifted to one side to preferentially direct incident IR energy to the first IR detector at the expense of the second IR detector. An IR energy transparent element may be disposed in front of the lens element, and may include a portion that fits into and seals the aperture formed within the housing. A controller may be configured to receive an electrical signal from the proximity sensor indicating an approach of an individual towards the thermostat, and in response, wake-up a user interface.

Abstract: A wall plate assembly for an HVAC controller may include a rear plate including an aperture extending through the rear plate and a front plate securable to the rear plate. In some cases, the front plate may have a recessed portion that is recessed back toward the rear plate and align with the aperture in the rear plate. An air flow barrier may be secured to the recessed portion of the front plate. The air flow barrier may include a barrier surface that covers a portion of the aperture formed in the recessed portion of the front plate to reduce air infiltration. The air flow barrier may include an air flow barrier aperture that is sized to accommodate wires passing through the aperture in the recessed portion of the front plate for connection to a wire connection block of the front plate.