Abstract: A control for controlling the operation of a fuel-fired heating appliance is provided that include a sensor capable of sensing the presence of carbon monoxide gas and providing an output indicative of the level of carbon monoxide gas. The control further includes a microprocessor that periodically reads the CO sensor output and stores at least one sensor output value in a memory, wherein the microprocessor responsively discontinues the operation of the appliance when the microprocessor detects a sensor output that has increased by more than a predetermined amount over at least one previously stored sensor output value. In one embodiment, the control is preferably configured to periodically read the sensor output value, and responsive discontinue operation of an appliance upon sensing a predetermined increase of at least a 50 percent increase over the previously monitored sensor output value over a period of about 15 to 90 minutes.

Abstract: A climate control system having two or more stages of cooling operation or heating operation is provided for supplying conditioned air to a plurality of zones within a space, where the climate control system comprises a plurality of controllable zone dampers for controlling the supply of conditioned air to each of the plurality of zones, and a plurality of zone temperature sensors for periodically sensing temperature at preset intervals and transmitting sensed temperature information when the temperature of the zone has changed by more than a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An apparatus for operating a gas valve in a gas-fired heating system includes a solenoid having a pick coil and a hold coil connected to the pick coil and to a thermo-generator. A power supply powers the pick coil to open the gas valve. The thermo-generator powers the hold coil to hold the gas valve open. The apparatus is small and inexpensive compared to systems that use DC-DC converters and/or stepper motors to operate a millivolt valve. A millivolt valve can be operated via power from a heater thermostat, without AC power having to be wired to the heater.