Overriding normal operation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for diagnostics

Abstract

A networked heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The networked HVAC system includes HVAC equipment deployed in a building and an element of HVAC equipment, which is communicatively coupled with the HVAC equipment to collect types of diagnostic information relating to the HVAC equipment. The element of HVAC equipment is normally operable in a normal mode and is selectively operable in a service mode. The normal mode is characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a first rate. The service mode is characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a second rate, which is greater than the first rate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A networked heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 HVAC equipment deployed in a building; and   an element of HVAC equipment, which is communicatively coupled with the HVAC equipment to collect types of diagnostic information relating to the HVAC equipment,   the element of HVAC equipment being normally operable in a normal mode and selectively operable in a service mode,   the normal mode being characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a first rate, and   the service mode being characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a second rate, which is greater than the first rate.   
     
     
         2 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the element of HVAC equipment comprises a thermostat, and   the thermostat comprises a user interface and is communicative with an external entity over any network via at least one of a mobile application and/or a web portal.   
     
     
         3 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service mode is selectively engaged automatically or manually. 
     
     
         4 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the normal mode is further characterized in that only a first type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the first rate, and   the service mode is further characterized in that the first type and a second type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the second rate.   
     
     
         5 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to control operations of one or more pieces of the HVAC equipment. 
     
     
         6 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to override system lockouts. 
     
     
         7 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 1 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is disabled from controlling operations of the HVAC equipment. 
     
     
         8 . A networked heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:
 HVAC equipment deployed in a building; and   an element of HVAC equipment, which is communicatively coupled with the HVAC equipment to collect types of diagnostic information relating to the HVAC equipment,   the element of HVAC equipment being normally operable in a normal mode and selectively operable in a service mode,   the normal mode being characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a first rate, and   the service mode being automatically selected for operation based on temporal information and a location of the building and being characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a second rate, which is greater than the first rate.   
     
     
         9 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the element of HVAC equipment comprises a thermostat, and   the thermostat comprises a user interface and is communicative with an external entity over any network via at least one of a mobile application and/or a web portal.   
     
     
         10 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the normal mode is further characterized in that only a first type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the first rate, and   the service mode is further characterized in that the first type and a second type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the second rate.   
     
     
         11 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to control operations of one or more pieces of the HVAC equipment. 
     
     
         12 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to override system lockouts. 
     
     
         13 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is disabled from controlling operations of the HVAC equipment. 
     
     
         14 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 8 , wherein:
 the temporal information and the location of the building are used to determine a likely first heating day and a likely first cooling day of a year, and   the service mode is automatically selected for operation on at least one of the first heating day and the first cooling day of the year.   
     
     
         15 . The networked HVAC system according to  claim 14 , wherein the diagnostic information collected by the element of HVAC equipment during the at least one of the first heating day and the first cooling day of the year is analyzed locally or remotely for determining whether problems with the HVAC equipment are currently in effect. 
     
     
         16 . A method of operating a networked heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the networked HVAC system comprising HVAC equipment deployed in a building and an element of HVAC equipment, which is communicatively coupled with the HVAC equipment to collect types of diagnostic information relating to the HVAC equipment, the method comprising:
 normally operating the element of HVAC equipment in a normal mode characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a first rate; and   selectively operating the element of HVAC equipment in a service mode characterized in that diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at a second rate, which is greater than the first rate.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the element of HVAC equipment comprises a thermostat, and   the thermostat comprises a user interface and is communicative with an external entity over any network via at least one of a mobile application and/or a web portal.   
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the selectively operating the element of HVAC equipment is automatic or manual. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the normal mode is further characterized in that only a first type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the first rate, and   the service mode is further characterized in that the first type and a second type of diagnostic information is collected by the element of HVAC equipment at the second rate.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein:
 the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to control operations of one or more pieces of the HVAC equipment,   the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is operated to override system lockouts, and   the service mode is further characterized in that the element of HVAC equipment is disabled from controlling operations of the HVAC equipment.