Abstract: An HVAC controller for providing control signals to one or more HVAC components to control one or more environmental parameters in an inside space. The HVAC Controller may include a housing for housing a controller, a wired control port, and a wireless interface for optionally wirelessly connecting the HVAC controller to HVAC components and for wirelessly providing control signals generated by the controller to the HVAC components. The wired control port may connect the HVAC controller to the HVAC components via one or more wires and for providing control signals generated by the controller to the HVAC components via the one or more wires. The controller may be programmable to include control configurations comprising controlling via only the wired control port, via only the wireless interface, or via the wired control port and the wireless interface.

Abstract: An HVAC controller including a controller and a touch screen display operatively coupled to the controller. The touch screen display may include a first region and a second region. The first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. The second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display one or more selectable options in the first region of the display for selection by a user and to accept selection of a displayed selectable option by detecting a user touch of the displayed selectable option via the touch screen display.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may include a controller and a display operatively coupled to the controller. A first region of the display may have an array of pixels arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns for displaying an image in a dot matrix format. A second region of the display may have a plurality of predefined fixed segment graphical icons. The controller may be configured to display a list of one or more programmable options of the HVAC controller in the first region of the display for selection by a user. At least one of the one or more programmable options may be used to set settings that are used for controlling subsequent operations and/or functionality of the HVAC controller. The first region of the display may simultaneously display in a vertical direction an integer number of programmable options plus a fraction of a programmable option.

Abstract: A mount for mounting an ultraviolet (UV) lamp assembly or other device to a duct wall of an HVAC system. The mount may have a base having a first side and a second side, an aperture extending through the base from the first side to the second side, one or more first mounting features, and one or more second mounting features. To secure a UV lamp assembly to the base, the mount may have a socket allowing at least a portion of the UV lamp to extend through the aperture of the base. To secure the first side of the mount to the duct wall, the first mounting features receives connectors. To secure the second side of the mount to the duct wall, the second mounting features receive connectors. A recess between the second mounting features may facilitate connecting connectors to a duct wall without the duct wall interfering with the secured UV lamp assembly.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to initiate a delta T test in response to a request received from a user. The user may initiate the delta T test at the HVAC controller or via a remote device. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to automatically execute a delta T test for each valid equipment stage combination of the HVAC system without receiving further input from the user and to determine both a run time and a stabilized delta T parameter value for each equipment stage combination. The HVAC controller may also record the delta T parameter value and run time for each test in the memory of the HVAC controller. The HVAC controller may be further configured to notify the user when testing for each/all equipment stage combination is complete.

Abstract: An HVAC controller is configured to log one more user interactions into a user interaction log stored in its memory such that at least some of the user interactions may be recalled from the user interaction log and displayed on the user interface of the HVAC controller in response to a request by a user. The user may use the information contained in the user interaction log as an aid in troubleshooting an HVAC system.

Abstract: An HVAC system may include a building controller, two or more HVAC components and at least two Equipment Interface Modules (EIM). Each of the EIMs may include a wired and/or wireless interface for communication to the HVAC controller. Each EIM may be wired to one or more of the HVAC components of the HVAC system. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to provide one or more control commands to control two or more of the HVAC components of the HVAC system via the EIMs. In some cases, the EIMs may provide control signals to the HVAC controller, and the HVAC controller may generate one or more commands in response to the received control signals.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat may be configured to control one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with a programmable schedule. The HVAC equipment may be capable of modifying a temperature of an inside space with at least a primary stage and an auxiliary stage. The programmable thermostat may include a memory for storing operating parameters of the programmable thermostat, a user interface configured to accept modification of operating parameters, including one or more droop values, and a controller coupled to the memory and the user interface. The controller attempts to control the temperature of the inside space with the primary stage of the HVAC equipment, but if the temperature of the inside space deviates from a desired setpoint temperature value by more than or equal to a programmed droop value, the controller may activate the auxiliary stage.

Abstract: A programmable thermostat may be configured to control one or more pieces of HVAC equipment in accordance with a programmable schedule. The HVAC equipment may be capable of modifying a temperature of an inside space with at least a primary stage and an auxiliary stage. The programmable thermostat may include a memory for storing operating parameters of the programmable thermostat, a user interface configured to accept modification of operating parameters, including one or more droop values, and a controller coupled to the memory and the user interface. The controller attempts to control the temperature of the inside space with the primary stage of the HVAC equipment, but if the temperature of the inside space deviates from a desired setpoint temperature value by more than or equal to a programmed droop value, the controller may activate the auxiliary stage.

Abstract: An HVAC controller for controlling an HVAC system may be configured to enroll one or more wireless devices, and once one or more wireless devices are enrolled, to prompt the user to enter an identifier, a location, a device type and/or a function for one or more of the enrolled wireless devices. The HVAC controller may use the identifier, location and/or device type to identify each of the enrolled devices. This may facilitate a user in selecting various sensors to participate in sensor averaging, identifying where certain sensor data is originating, identifying devices having a low battery condition, as well as performing other tasks as desired.

Abstract: A remote control unit for interacting with one or more thermostats controlling an HVAC system may be mounted on wall near a point of entry to a building. The remote control unit may wirelessly send one or more commends to a thermostat to operate in one or more modes at a predetermined temperature associated with that mode.

Abstract: A building control network may have a first central device, a second central device and one or more peripheral devices. An illustrative method may include placing the second central device into an associate mode, and sending an associate command from a perimeter device to associate the perimeter device with the second central device. The associate command may be received by the first central device. The first central device may send one or more commands to the second central device, where the one or more commands may cause the second central device to be taken out of its associate mode and to reconfigure the second central device to a perimeter device. The first central device may then be put in an associate mode, and both the second central device and the perimeter device may be associated as perimeter devices with the first central device.

Abstract: An HVAC controller is configured to log and record performance related data related to a performance of an HVAC system over a period of time in one or more performance logs stored in a memory of the HVAC controller. In some cases, the HVAC controller may be configured to retrieve at least some of the performance related data from the performance log that corresponds to a selected period of time that may be selected by a user, and display the retrieved performance related data on a display of the HVAC controller.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may display a user query on the display of the HVAC controller, which queries the user as to whether a utility saver switch is installed and in use. The HVAC controller may take into account whether a utility saver switch is installed and in use when determining, logging and/or reporting out diagnostic faults of the HVAC system.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed to identify one or more faults with respect to the operation of a connected HVAC system. In some cases, the HVAC controller may record a fault to a fault log and/or display an alert on the display of the HVAC controller only after a predetermined number of faults of the same fault type have been identified by the HVAC controller, sometime within a predetermined number of cycles of the HVAC system or within a predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may store a delta T limit. The delta T limit may be, or may include, a maximum and/or a minimum delta T limit. The HVAC controller may compare a measured delta T value against a delta T limit to determine if the delta T limit has been violated. If the HVAC controller determines that a delta T limit has been violated, the HVAC Controller may log the violation, and in some cases, display a user alert on a display of the HVAC controller. In some cases, different delta T limits may be stored for each operating mode (e.g. heating and cooling), and in some cases, for each stage combination within an operating mode, where appropriate.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may include a user activated performance test for monitoring the performance of a connected HVAC system. In some cases, the user activated tests may cause the HVAC controller to operate the HVAC system and identify a current delta T of the HVAC system. In some cases, the identified current delta T may be displayed on a display of the HVAC controller for viewing and/or evaluation by the user. In some cases, a delta T limit may be accepted from the user through the user interface of the HVAC controller. In some cases, a minimum run time may also be received via the user interface of the HVAC controller. The delta T limit and/or the minimum run time may be based, at least in part, on the current delta T identified by the user activated performance test.

Abstract: An HVAC controller that monitors the performance of an HVAC system during its operating by comparing a monitored parameter value (e.g. delta T) to a pre-determined limit stored in the HVAC controller memory in order to determine if a performance limit has been violated. In some cases, the HVAC controller may display on a display of the HVAC controller a user alert for at least some of the detected violations. In some instances, the HVAC controller may display or otherwise provide a user alert only after a pre-determined number of performance violations are detected by the HVAC controller. Alternatively, or in addition, the HVAC controller may accept one or more conditions that indicate when a user alert for a detected violation is not to be displayed on the display of the HVAC controller.

Abstract: An HVAC controller that monitors a current performance level of an HVAC system, and determines if the current performance level falls below a minimum performance threshold level for at least a first predetermined amount of time. The HVAC controller may be configured it display an alert on the display of the HVAC controller if the HVAC controller determines that the current performance level has fallen below the minimum performance threshold level for at least the first period of time. In some cases, the HVAC controller may remove the alert from the display of the HVAC controller if the current performance level subsequently rises and remains above the minimum performance threshold level for at least a second predetermined amount of time. In some cases, the first predetermined amount of time may include a utility shutoff period component and/or a defrost cycle period component.

Abstract: An HVAC controller is configured to log one more user interactions into a user interaction log stored in its memory such that at least some of the user interactions may be recalled from the user interaction log and displayed on the user interface of the HVAC controller in response to a request by a user. The user may use the information contained in the user interaction log as an aid in troubleshooting an HVAC system.