Abstract: A method of conditioning air includes controlling, by a thermostat, an HVAC system to condition the air within an enclosed space according to one or more temperature setpoints stored in a memory of the thermostat and the temperature within the enclosed space. Weather data for outside the enclosed space is received and compared to a previously received preference. The HVAC system is controlled to condition the air according to the one or more temperature setpoints and the temperature within the enclosed space when the weather data does not satisfy the preference. When the weather data satisfies the preference, the user is notified that heating or cooling by the HVAC system will be turned off and that the user should open the at least one opening to outside of the enclosed space, and the thermostat controls the HVAC system to stop conditioning the air.

Abstract: A thermostat replacement system includes a handheld user computing device having an image capture device. The handheld user computing device is configured to communicate to a network. Thermostat replacement system also includes a server computing device communicatively coupled to the network. The server computing device includes an image analyzer configured to identify image elements in an image captured by the handheld user computing device, and a machine learning algorithm that includes an image elements table of correspondence of learned thermostat configurations. The server computing device also includes a configurator configured to determine a wirelist for connecting existing thermostat wires to a replacement thermostat back plate using a replacement thermostat identification and the image elements table of correspondence.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control one or more configurations of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored weekly schedules for operation of the one or more configurations, where each of the plurality of stored weekly schedules provides a plurality of daily time slots and temperature set points, and is based on user-specifications, and where the user-selected weekly schedule is wirelessly received by and completely replaces a current operating weekly schedule on the comfort controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control one or more configurations of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored weekly schedules for operation of the one or more configurations, where each of the plurality of stored weekly schedules provides a plurality of daily time slots and temperature set points, and is based on user-specifications, and where the user-selected weekly schedule is wirelessly received by and completely replaces a current operating weekly schedule on the comfort controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of sub-base assemblies for substrate-mountable devices and related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a sub-base assembly includes a cover, a base, and a circuit board having a plurality of wire terminals for receiving wiring passed through the base and circuit board. At least one light source is mounted on the circuit board and is operable, before the wiring is connected to the wire terminals, to direct light toward the wire terminals through the base.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control a configuration of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored schedules for operation of the configuration, where the user-selected schedule is wirelessly received by and replaceable on the comfort controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for facilitating installation and/or connection of controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for facilitating installation and/or connection of a controller in a climate control system generally includes a communication device configured to execute software instructions to receive user input describing a wire arrangement where the controller is to be installed for use in the climate control system. Based on the user input, the communication device identifies a configuration of the climate control system and specifies wiring connections between the wire arrangement and controller.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for facilitating scheduling of comfort controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, a comfort controller is operable to control a configuration of a climate control system for providing climate control in a structure. The comfort controller is operable in accordance with a user-selected one of a plurality of stored schedules for operation of the configuration, where the user-selected schedule is wirelessly received by and replaceable on the comfort controller.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a control for an HVAC system. The control has an alphanumeric display, a plurality of two position switches (e.g., push buttons, etc.), and a processor. The processor receives a current user input through at least one of the two position switches and determines a response to the current user input. The determining is performed using one or more previously received user inputs, if any, via one or more of the two position switches. The processor implements the determined response by displaying a message on the alphanumeric display and/or changing an operational parameter of the HVAC system.

Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of apparatus and methods for facilitating installation and/or connection of controllers such as thermostats. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus for facilitating installation and/or connection of a controller in a climate control system generally includes a communication device configured to execute software instructions to receive user input describing a wire arrangement where the controller is to be installed for use in the climate control system. Based on the user input, the communication device identifies a configuration of the climate control system and specifies wiring connections between the wire arrangement and controller.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerant charge monitoring system includes first and second sensors. The first sensor is operable for sensing temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is connected to, within, or extending from an outlet of a condenser. The second sensor is operable for sensing pressure of the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the sensed pressure of the liquid refrigerant line to the at least one target pressure value.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a refrigerant charge monitoring system includes first and second sensors. The first sensor is operable for sensing temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is connected to, within, or extending from an outlet of a condenser. The second sensor is operable for sensing pressure of the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the sensed pressure of the liquid refrigerant line to the at least one target pressure value.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a system includes first and second sensors. The first sensor is operable to provide an output indicative of a sensed refrigerant liquid temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is within or extending from an outlet of a condenser coil of an air conditioner or heat pump unit. The second sensor is operable to provide an output indicative of a sensed refrigerant liquid pressure in the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the output indicative of the sensed refrigerant liquid temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above, or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the output indicative of sensed refrigerant liquid pressure to the at least one target pressure value.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a control for an HVAC system. The control has an alphanumeric display, a plurality of two position switches (e.g., push buttons, etc.), and a processor. The processor receives a current user input through at least one of the two position switches and determines a response to the current user input. The determining is performed using one or more previously received user inputs, if any, via one or more of the two position switches. The processor implements the determined response by displaying a message on the alphanumeric display and/or changing an operational parameter of the HVAC system.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a system includes first and second sensors. The first sensor is operable to provide an output indicative of a sensed refrigerant liquid temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is within or extending from an outlet of a condenser coil of an air conditioner or heat pump unit. The second sensor is operable to provide an output indicative of a sensed refrigerant liquid pressure in the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the output indicative of the sensed refrigerant liquid temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above, or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the output indicative of sensed refrigerant liquid pressure to the at least one target pressure value.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor that provides an output indicative of a sensed temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is within or extending from an outlet of a condenser coil of an air conditioner or heat pump unit. The system includes a second sensor that provides an output indicative of a sensed pressure in the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the output indicative of the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the output indicative of sensed pressure to the at least one target pressure value. The system includes a display that displays an indication of whether the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level.

Abstract: A system includes a first sensor that provides an output indicative of a sensed temperature of a liquid refrigerant line that is within or extending from an outlet of a condenser coil of an air conditioner or heat pump unit. The system includes a second sensor that provides an output indicative of a sensed pressure in the liquid refrigerant line. A controller is configured to determine at least one target pressure value from the output indicative of the sensed temperature of the liquid refrigerant line. The controller is configured to determine if the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level based on a comparison of the output indicative of sensed pressure to the at least one target pressure value. The system includes a display that displays an indication of whether the level of refrigerant charge is at, above or below an acceptable level.