Groundwater air conditioning with warm water distribution and associated methods

Abstract

A method of cooling air includes a liquid coolant subsystem including a cool water source configured to hold water, an air cooling subsystem including an air chamber that contains air therein, an air conditioning apparatus including a heat exchanger of a liquid-to-air type having a heat sink in thermal communication, a fan assembly configured to move air along the heat sink of the heat exchanger, a thermostat, a temperature sensor, and a control circuit in electronic communication with the temperature sensor and the thermostat, a plumbing subsystem including an inlet piping component in fluid communication with heat exchanger, an outlet piping component in fluid communication with the exchanger, and a solenoid valve. The control circuit may be configured to activate the fan assembly and to open the solenoid valve, allowing for the transfer heat to water from the air moved by the fan assembly.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of cooling air and warming water utilizing a control unit comprising a thermostat, a sensor, and a controller, the method comprising:
 receiving a set point temperature from a thermostat;   receiving a temperature of an air chamber from a sensor;   delivering water from a cool water source to a liquid-to-air heat exchanger when the sensor signals a controller that the air chamber temperature is warmer than the set point temperature;   moving air from the air chamber along the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to transfer heat from the air chamber to the water, the water having the heat transferred thereto being defined as warmed water;   moving the warmed water through a solar heating system to transfer additional heat to the warmed water, the warmed water having the additional heat transferred thereto being defined as heated water; and   moving the heated water to a distribution module that is configured for heated water distribution;   wherein the distribution module is configured to distribute the heated water to a location other than the cool water source.   
     
     
         2 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the distribution module is further configured to retain a portion of the heated water for later use. 
     
     
         3 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to a location that is external of a structure. 
     
     
         4 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to a location that is internal of a structure. 
     
     
         5 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the distribution module is further configured to expel water to locations that are internal and external of a structure. 
     
     
         6 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the distribution module is a hot water heater. 
     
     
         7 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 6  wherein the hot water heater comprises a distribution controller, a distribution thermostat, and a distribution sensor configured to initiate the delivery of water from a cool water source when the water within the hot water heater falls below a set point temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  wherein the water continuously flows from the cool water source, through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and through the distribution module before being expelled to a location other than the cool water source. 
     
     
         9 . The method of cooling air and warming water according to  claim 1  further comprising terminating the delivery of water from the cod water source when the air chamber temperature becomes equal to the set point temperature. 
     
     
         10 . A heat exchange system comprising:
 a control unit comprising
 a thermostat, 
 a sensor, and 
 a controller; 
   a liquid-to-air heat exchanger;   a distribution module; and   a plumbing subsystem configured to extend from a cod water source through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to the distribution module;   wherein the heat exchange system is configured to transfer air chamber heat to water within the liquid-to-air heat exchanger; and   wherein the distribution module is configured to receive warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and distribute the warmed water to a location different than the cool water source.   
     
     
         11 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 10  wherein the air chamber heat originates within the confines of a building. 
     
     
         12 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 10  further including a solar heating system; wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to export warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger, through the solar heating system to the distribution module. 
     
     
         13 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 10  further including a fan located within an air chamber configured to move air chamber air to the liquid-to-air heat exchanger. 
     
     
         14 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 10  wherein the liquid-to-air heat exchanger is located within a first level of a structure; and wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to route warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger through a second level of the structure before moving the warmed water to the distribution module located on the original level. 
     
     
         15 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 14  wherein the distribution module is located on a level different from the first level. 
     
     
         16 . The heat exchange system according to  claim 14  further including a plurality of distribution modules located on a plurality of levels. 
     
     
         17 . A warm water system comprising:
 a liquid-to-air heat exchanger;   a water tank; and   a plumbing subsystem configured to extend from a cool water source through the liquid-to-air heat exchanger to the water tank;   wherein the liquid-to-air heat exchanger is configured to transfer air chamber heat to water within the liquid-to-air heat exchanger;   wherein the water tank is configured to receive warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger and distribute the warmed water to a location different than the cool water source.   
     
     
         18 . The warm water system according to  claim 17  further including a solar heating system; wherein the plumbing subsystem is configured to export warmed water from the liquid-to-air heat exchanger through the solar heating system to the water tank. 
     
     
         19 . The warm water system according to  claim 17  further including a distribution control unit comprising a distribution controller, a distribution thermostat, and a distribution sensor configured to initiate delivery of water from a cool water source when the distribution sensor detects water within the water tank falls below a temperature set by the distribution thermostat. 
     
     
         20 . The warm water system according to  claim 17  wherein the water heater is configured to distribute water to a location that is internal of a structure.