HVAC inside and outside return air control system

Abstract

An inside and outside air return control system for a HVAC unit that includes an outside air conduit connected to the inside air return duct and a flap valve that selectively moves to control the delivery of inside air or outside air to the air return duct in the HVAC unit. The system also includes a programmable control panel connected to the HVAC unit's air conditioner or heat pump and to the furnace or air handler. The control panel is also connected to an inside thermometer and an outside thermometer. During operation, the control panel continuously monitors the air temperatures inside and outside the residence. During setup, a control temperature is selected in the control panel. The readings from the two thermometers are compared with the control temperature and used to control the movement of the flap valve so that the cooler air source is delivered to the air return duct.

1 . An inside and outside air control system for a HVAC system, comprising:
 a. a HVAC unit that includes an outside air conditioner or heat pump an inside coil unit connected to said air conditioner or heat pump, a furnace or air handler connected to said inside coil unit, a supply duct connected to said inside coil unit, and an inside air return duct connected to said furnace or air handler;   b. a control panel connected to said HVAC unit;   c. an inside thermometer connected to said control panel used to monitor the temperature of the inside air;   d. an outside thermometer connected to said control panel used to monitor the temperature of the outside air;   e. an outside air duct that connects at one end to an outside air source and at the other end to said air return duct;   f. a flap valve disposed between said outside air duct and said air return duct to control the air returned to said furnace or air handler; and,   g. a programmable main thermostat located inside said control panel that controls operation of the air conditioner or heat pump and said furnace or air handler, said main thermostat also connected to said inside thermometer, said outside thermometer, and said flap valve, said main thermostat being able to monitor the inside temperature and the temperatures of the inside and outside air and selectively control the position of the flap valve so that inside air is recycled when the inside air temperature is with a temperature range from a control temperature and outside air is delivered to said return duct when the inside air is above the control temperature.   
   
   
       2 . The air control system, as recited in  claim 1 , further including a communication means connected to said control panel that allows said main thermostat to be monitored and selectively adjusted.