Abstract: A board mount assembly. The assembly comprises a panel, a board mount and a circuit board. The panel is generally arranged in a plane. The board mount has an attachment portion operably connected to the panel and parallel thereto, and has a support portion extending from the first portion at a non-perpendicular angle relative to the plane of the panel. The circuit board has a first standoff engaged with the board mount.

Abstract: An average temperature sensor designed for use in an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning unit has a high pressure region and a low pressure region and a method for making an average temperature measurement. The average temperature sensor senses the average temperature of air flowing in the high pressure region and comprises a device for conveying a flow of air that is in fluid communication with the high pressure region. A temperature sensor is disposed in a temperature sensing relationship to the device for conveying the flow or air. The high pressure in the high pressure region induces a flow of air in the device for conveying a flow of air. This flow of air flows from the high pressure region to the low pressure region and is at the average temperature of the air in the high pressure region.

Abstract: A method of utilizing an economizer to reduce the energy usage of a mechanical refrigeration system. The method comprises the steps of: economizing if both cooling demand and the prerequisites to economize are present; measuring economizer capacity; determining if the measured economizer capacity is sufficient to meet the needs of a zone being conditioned; continuing to economize as long as there is both a cooling demand and the prerequisites to economize; and initiating the use of the mechanical cooling system only if the economizer capacity has been determined to be insufficient to meet the needs of the zone being conditioned.

Abstract: A method of operating a controller of an HVAC system comprising the steps of: constantly establishing the validity of each of a plurality of input devices; and reconfiguring the mode of operation of the HVAC system each time the validity of any of the plurality of input devices changes to ensure that the HVAC system operates in the best available mode of operation.

Abstract: A method of air conditioning an environment with an HVAC system. The method comprises the steps of: determining an environment to be either occupied or vacant; determining a mode of operation for the HVAC system to be heating or cooling; determining a heating setpoint and a cooling setpoint; and determining a setback value equal to a difference between the value of the heating setpoint and the value of the cooling setpoint.

Abstract: A method of configuring a controller of an HVAC system comprising the step of configuring the HVAC system based upon components which are indicated by a wiring harness to be physically connected to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of an HVAC system comprising the steps of: accepting an input; selecting a first mode of operation if the input has a value in excess of a first predetermined limit; selecting a second mode of operation if the input has a value less than a second predetermined limit; selecting a third mode of operation if the input has a value which is between the second and the first predetermined limits.

Abstract: An interface for use between a thermostat and a controller for an HVAC system comprising: means for receiving a plurality of parallel commands from a thermostat where each command represents one of two possible states; means for coverting each of the plurality of parallel commands into a plurality of predetermined values; means for combining the predetermined values in a predetermined manner; and means for transmitting the combined predetermined values to the controller.