Communicating Environmental Control System

Abstract

A communicating environmental control system for a dwelling or building is provided. The environmental control system is intended for use in a dwelling which may be unoccupied for a long period of time, e.g., months. The control system operates in an economy mode to prevent damage to the dwelling and its contents by avoiding condensation of moisture within the dwelling. At the same time, the control system minimizes operating costs by running more when energy costs are lower and running less when energy costs are higher. The control system switches to a comfort mode when the dwelling occupants return. The control system is in communication with a remote owner, a remote utility, or a remote service provider, or more than one of these, through the Internet or other communication system.

1 . An environmental control system for a building, the system comprising:
 a microprocessor controller configured for accepting at least two temperature set points and a humidity set point;   an operating interface operably connected to the controller;   a thermostat and at least one temperature sensor operably connected to the controller;   a humidistat and at least one humidity sensor operably connected to the controller; and   a communications interface operably connected to the controller and configured for communicating to a remote location over a telecommunications network; and   wherein the controller is programmed to operate an environmental system within the building to control temperature as a primary factor within the building during periods of occupancy and to control humidity as the primary factor within the building during periods of un-occupancy.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to operate a variable speed fan of the environmental system at a low speed setting and a compressor of the environmental system to control humidity within the building. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is programmed to operate the environmental system to control humidity as a secondary factor within the building during periods of occupancy and to control temperature as the secondary factor within the building during periods of un-occupancy. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the operating interface comprises a graphical user interface. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the humidistat comprises a second thermostat and wherein the controller controls humidity using the second thermostat and a relative humidity sensor. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one moisture sensor operably connected to the controller. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising an additional temperature sensor and/or humidity sensor operably connected to the controller. 
   
   
       8 . A method for controlling an environment in a building, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an environmental controller for a building, the controller comprising a computer and a communications interface;   setting a first humidity control point for an environmental system;   setting a second humidity control point, higher than the first humidity control point, for the environmental system;   operating the environmental system in accordance with the first humidity control point for a first portion of a day and in accordance with the second humidity control point for a second portion of the day; and   communicating an alert when the second humidity control point is exceeded.   
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 setting a first temperature control point for the environmental system; and   operating the environmental system in accordance with the first temperature control point and the first humidity control point for a first portion of the day.   
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the steps of:
 setting a first temperature control point for the environmental system;   setting a second temperature control point for the environmental system; and   wherein the environmental system is operated in accordance with the first temperature control point and the first humidity control point for a first portion of a day, and in accordance with the second temperature control point and the second humidity control point for a second portion of the day.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first or second humidity control point is entered by using a dry bulb set point temperature and a wet bulb set point temperature. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first or second humidity control point is entered by using a relative humidity set point. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of setting a maximum temperature limit for the first portion of the day when utility costs are higher, wherein the temperature is not directly controlled during the first portion of the day unless it exceeds a temperature set point. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising calculating an energy savings based on operations for the first and seconds portions of the day. 
   
   
       15 . A method for controlling an environment inside a building, the method comprising the steps of:
 connecting to a communications interface for a microprocessor environmental controller for a dwelling;   setting a first humidity control point for an environmental system;   setting a second humidity control point, higher than the first humidity control point, for the environmental system;   operating the environmental system in accordance with the first humidity control point for a first portion of a day and in accordance with the second humidity control point for a second portion of the day; and   communicating an alert when the second humidity control point is exceeded.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 setting a temperature set point for the environmental system; and   programming the controller to manage the environmental system in accordance with the temperature set point when the temperature exceeds the temperature set point.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of generating an alarm when the temperature set point is exceeded. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the environmental control system being operated comprises an air conditioning system and/or a dehumidifying system. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of calculating a periodic energy cost for operating the environmental system. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the steps of:
 operating at least one of a variable speed fan and a variable capacity compressor as a part of the environmental system;   calculating a maximum rate of dehumidification; and   operating the environmental system to minimize energy costs using the maximum rate of dehumidification while maintaining humidity levels at or below the set point levels.