Zero net energy system and method

Abstract

A system and a method regulate temperature in a building using an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building (e.g., living areas in a residential building, or work areas or offices in a commercial building). The air pulled into the air inlet creates an air flow into the building that is received into a thermal storage plenum, which allows the air flow to mix with a substantial air mass accumulated in the thermal storage plenum. The air in the thermal storage plenum is circulated throughout the space for habitation and recycled back to the thermal storage plenum through, for example, a return duct. Such a return duct may be provided by a stairwell. A relief vent may be provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. The quantity of air flowing through the air inlet and the relief vent may be controlled using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously. The temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation may be regulated by a roof-mounted heat pump.

1 . An energy system provided in a building, comprising:
 space for habitation;   an air inlet provided at a level beneath the space for habitation to provide an air flow into the building;   a thermal storage plenum receiving the air flow from the air inlet vent to allow a substantial air mass to accumulate and to mix with the air flow;   conduits for allowing air in the thermal storage plenum to be circulated throughout the space for habitation; and   a return duct provided within the building to allow air in the space for habitation to flow into the thermal storage plenum.   
   
   
       2 . An energy system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a relief vent provided at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. 
   
   
       3 . An energy system as in  claim 2 , further comprising actuators for regulating the flow of air through the air inlet and the relief vent, and a control system for driving the actuators such that the air inlet and the relief vent are opened simultaneously. 
   
   
       4 . An energy system as in  claim 2 , wherein the relief vent is provided in a skylight over a stairwell. 
   
   
       5 . An energy system as in  claim 1 , wherein the return duct comprises a stair well. 
   
   
       6 . An energy system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a roof-mounted heat pump for regulating the temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation. 
   
   
       7 . A method for regulating temperature in a building, comprising:
 providing an air inlet at a level beneath a space for habitation within the building, so as to create an air flow into the building;   receiving the air flow from the air inlet into a thermal storage plenum, the thermal storage plenum allowing a substantial air mass to accumulate and to mix with the air flow;   providing conduits for circulating the air in the thermal storage plenum throughout the space for habitation; and   recycling air in the space for habitation into the thermal storage plenum.   
   
   
       8 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising providing a relief vent at a level above the space for habitation for the air flow to exit the building. 
   
   
       9 . A method as in  claim 8 , further comprising regulating the flow of air through the air inlet and the relief vent, using a control system which open the air inlet and the relief vent simultaneously. 
   
   
       10 . A method as in  claim 8 , wherein the relief vent is provided in a skylight over a stairwell. 
   
   
       11 . A method as in  claim 7 , wherein the air is recycled through a return duct. 
   
   
       12 . A method as in  claim 11 , wherein the return duct comprises a stair well. 
   
   
       13 . A method as in  claim 7 , further comprising regulating the temperature of the air circulated in the space for habitation. 
   
   
       14 . A method as in  claim 13 , wherein the temperature is regulated using a roof-mounted heat pump.