Systems and Methods for Conditioning Air

Abstract

A system for conditioning air in a structure includes a first conditioning system and a second conditioning system. The first conditioning system is capable of supplying conditioned air to a first space of the structure. The first space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls. The second conditioning system is capable of supplying conditioned air to a second space of the structure that is located above the first space. The second space is enclosed, at least in part, by a roof that is sealed to prevent a flow of air between the second space and an outside environment. The first space and the second space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the first space and the second space.

1 - 25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A system for conditioning air, comprising:
 a first conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an inhabited space of a structure, wherein the inhabited space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls;   a second conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an attic space of the structure located above the inhabited space, wherein the attic space is enclosed, at least in part, by a roof that is sealed to prevent a flow of gas between the attic space and an outside environment, and wherein the inhabited space and the attic space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the inhabited space and the attic space; and   a control module operable to:
 activate the second conditioning system in response to a determination that a temperature associated with the inhabited space exceeds a threshold temperature 
 measure a change in temperature within the structure resulting from activation of the second conditioning system; 
 measure energy usage associated with activation of the first conditioning system or the second conditioning system; 
 store data recording the measured change in temperature and the measured energy usage; 
 determine an availability of power from an alternative power supply; 
 determine whether to activate the second conditioning system based on the availability of power and the stored data; and 
 selectively couple the second conditioning system to at least one of a public power supply and the alternative power supply, wherein the alternative power supply is operable to supply the second conditioning system with power from a renewable source. 
   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the attic space stores cooled air supplied by the second conditioning system, and wherein the cooled air absorbs thermal energy passing through the ceiling from the inhabited space. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the alternative power supply comprises a power supply selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine and a battery. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the ceiling comprises a material having a thermal resistance of less than 45 ft 2 ·F·h/Btu. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 28 , wherein the alternative power supply is a battery, and the battery is operable to store electric charge and supply electrical power to the second conditioning system. 
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 26 , wherein the control module is further operable to:
 detect a trigger event associated with the alternative power supply; and   in response to detecting the trigger event, couple the second conditioning system to the alternative power supply.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein detecting the trigger event comprises determining the current time. 
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein detecting the trigger event comprises determining an amount of power being generated by the alternative power supply. 
     
     
         34 . A method for conditioning air, comprising:
 activating a first conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an inhabited space of a structure, wherein the inhabited space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls;   activating a second conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an attic space of the structure located above the inhabited space, wherein the attic space is enclosed, at least in part, by a roof that is sealed to prevent a flow of gas between the attic space and an outside environment, and wherein the inhabited space and the attic space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the inhabited space and the attic space;   measuring a change in temperature within the structure resulting from activation of the second conditioning system;   measuring energy usage associated with activation of the first conditioning system or the second conditioning system; and   storing data recording the measured change in temperature and the measured energy usage;   wherein the activating the second conditioning system is based on a determination that a temperature associated with the inhabited space exceeds a threshold temperature.   
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the ceiling consists of material having a thermal resistance of less than 45 ft 2 ·F·h/Btu. 
     
     
         36 . A method for conditioning air, comprising:
 activating a first conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an inhabited space of a structure, wherein the inhabited space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls;   activating a second conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to an attic space of the structure located above the inhabited space, wherein the attic space is enclosed, at least in part, by a roof that is sealed to prevent a flow of gas between the attic space and an outside environment, and wherein the inhabited space and the attic space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the inhabited space and the attic space;   determining an availability of power from an alternative power supply; and   selectively coupling the second conditioning system to at least one of a public power supply and the alternative power supply, wherein the alternative power supply is operable to supply the second conditioning system with power from a renewable source;   wherein the activating the second conditioning system is based on the availability of power from the alternative power supply.   
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the alternative power supply comprises a power supply selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine and a battery. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein the ceiling comprises a material having a thermal resistance of less than 45 ft 2 ·F·h/Btu. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 36 , wherein selectively coupling the second conditioning system to one of the public power supply and the alternative power supply comprises:
 detecting a trigger event associated with the alternative power supply; and   in response to detecting the trigger event, coupling the second conditioning system to the alternative power supply.   
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein detecting the trigger event comprises determining the current time. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein detecting the trigger event comprises determining an amount of power being generated by the alternative power supply. 
     
     
         42 . A method comprising:
 fluidly connecting a first conditioning system to an inhabited space of a structure, wherein the inhabited space is enclosed, at least in part, by one or more external walls;   sealing an attic space located above the inhabited space to prevent a flow of gas between the attic space and an outside environment;   fluidly connecting a second conditioning system operable to supply conditioned air to the attic space, wherein the inhabited space and the attic space are separated by a ceiling that permits thermal energy to pass between the inhabited space and the attic space; and   coupling a control module to the second conditioning system, the control module operable to:
 activate the second conditioning system in response to a determination that a temperature associated with the inhabited space exceeds a threshold temperature; 
 measure a change in temperature within the structure resulting from activation of the second conditioning system; 
 store data recording the measured change in temperature; 
 determine an availability of power from an alternative power supply; 
 selectively couple the second conditioning system to at least one of a public power supply and the alternative power supply, wherein the alternative power supply is operable to supply the second conditioning system with power from a renewable source; and 
 determine whether to activate the second conditioning system based on the availability of power and the stored data. 
   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the alternative power supply comprises a power supply selected from the group consisting of a photovoltaic cell, a wind turbine and a battery. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 42 , wherein the ceiling comprises a material having a thermal resistance of less than 45 ft 2 ·F·h/Btu.