System and method for monitoring heating system

Abstract

A monitoring system is connected to a hot water heating system. The monitoring system includes a controller and various controls and sensors. Sensors are connected to the components of the hot water heating system including the thermostats, pipes, pumps and valves. Controls are connected to the pumps and valves to control operation of the hot water heating system for testing. During normal operation of the hot water heating system, the sensors are monitored to ensure proper operation. If the heating system does not operate within certain defined time parameters, the system is activated to test components of the heating system. An alarm is activated if the system does not operate properly.

1 . A method for monitoring a hot water heating system for a building, the heating system having at least one thermostat for controlling the flow of hot water through pipes from a boiler to a heating zone of the building, the method comprising the steps of:
 determining when the at least one thermostat is activated;   determining whether hot water is flowing in the pipes of the heating system when the at least on thermostat is activated; and   activating an alarm after determining that hot water is not flowing in the pipes.   
   
   
       2 . The method for monitoring a hot water heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether hot water is flowing includes the step of determining a temperature of pipe of the heating system. 
   
   
       3 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature of the pipe is determined at an output from the boiler. 
   
   
       4 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature of the pipe is determined at a return to the boiler. 
   
   
       5 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature of the pipe is determined at a location which depends upon a operational parameter of the heating system. 
   
   
       6 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 2 , wherein the step of determining whether hot water is flowing includes the step of determining whether the temperature of the pipe exceeds a threshold temperature within a predetermined time. 
   
   
       7 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the alarm includes a visual indicator. 
   
   
       8 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the alarm includes an audio output. 
   
   
       9 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 1 , wherein the alarm includes a communication device for providing a notification of the alarm to a remote location. 
   
   
       10 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 1 , the heating system having a plurality of thermostats for controlling the flow of hot water through pipes from a boiler to a plurality of respective heating zones of the building, wherein the step of determining when at least one thermostat is activated includes the step of determining when any of the plurality of thermostats are activated, the method further comprising the steps of:
 opening all pipes from the boiler when any of the plurality of thermostats are activated; and   closing each pipe corresponding to a thermostat which is not activated when hot water is determined to be flowing in such pipe; and   wherein the step of activating an alarm includes activating an alarm if hot water is not flowing in any pipe of the heating system.   
   
   
       11 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 10 , further comprising the step of determining a time period since all pipes were opened, and wherein the step of opening all pipes occurs only when the time period exceeds a predetermined time period. 
   
   
       12 . The method for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 10 , further comprising the steps of:
 determining a time period since all pipes were opened; and   closing each pipe when the time period exceeds a predetermined time period.   
   
   
       13 . A system for monitoring a hot water heating system for a building, the heating system having at least one thermostat for controlling the flow of hot water through pipes from a boiler to a heating zone of the building, the system comprising:
 at least one temperature sensor attached to at least one of the pipes;   a circuit for determining when the at least one thermostat is activated;   a time delay circuit for determining whether the at least one temperature sensor registers a temperature above a threshold within a predetermined time after the at least one thermostat is activated; and   an alarm circuit providing an alarm when the temperature sensor does not reach the threshold within the predetermined time.   
   
   
       14 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is positioned on an output pipe from the boiler. 
   
   
       15 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor is positioned on a return pipe to the boiler. 
   
   
       16 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the at least one temperature sensor includes at least one first temperature sensor positioned on an output pipe from the boiler and at least one second temperature sensor positioned on a return pipe to the boiler, the system further comprising:
 an input for selecting one an output of the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor to be used in connection with the time delay circuit.   
   
   
       17 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the alarm circuit includes a speaker to provide an audio output. 
   
   
       18 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , wherein the alarm circuit includes an output for providing a notification of the alarm to a remote location. 
   
   
       19 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , further comprising a display providing a visual indication of operation of the system. 
   
   
       20 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 13 , the heating system having a plurality of thermostats for controlling the flow of hot water through pipes from a boiler to a plurality of respective heating zones of the building, the system further comprising:
 at least one relay for controlling opening and closing of pipes;   a relay control circuit connected to the at least one relay for opening all pipes from the boiler when any of the plurality of thermostats are activated, and closing each pipe corresponding to a thermostat which is not activated when the temperature when a corresponding one of the at least one temperature sensors reaches a predetermined threshold.   
   
   
       21 . The system for monitoring hot water heating system according to  claim 20  further comprising:
 a second time delay circuit for preventing operation of the at least one relay before a predetermined time all pipes were previously opened.