Systems and methods for dehumidification, air conditioning, and controlled provision of co2

Abstract

This disclosure relates generally to a system to dehumidify, alternately heat or cool a first space, and/or provide a controlled amount of CO 2 to the first space. The system includes an indoor unit with a gas furnace with a first coil, and a second indoor coil. The first indoor coil and the second indoor coil are in fluid communication. A damper is in fluid communication with the exhaust for the gas furnace, for directing an amount of CO 2 from the gas furnace to the first space. A control module is in electrical communication with the first indoor unit and the receptacle to control a position of the damper between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position of the damper allows the amount of CO 2 to be provided to the first space.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system to dehumidify, alternately heat or cool a first space, and/or provide a controlled amount of CO 2  to the first space, the system comprising:
 an outdoor unit comprising an outdoor heat exchanger, the outdoor heat exchanger comprising an outdoor coil and a fan;   a first indoor unit comprising a gas furnace with a first indoor coil and a return air orifice, and a second indoor coil, the second indoor coil in serial air flow communication between the outdoor unit and a return air orifice of the gas furnace;   a damper in serial air flow communication with an exhaust of the gas furnace;   a control module in electrical communication with the first indoor unit and the damper, the control module controlling a position of the damper between an open position and a closed position, wherein the open position of the damper allows the controlled amount of CO 2  to be provided to the first space.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a thermostat, a humidistat, and a CO 2  controller each in electrical communication with the control module. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the thermostat, the humidistat, and the CO 2  controller are each in electrical communication with the control module via low voltage wiring. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a user interface in electrical communication with the control module, the user interface allowing a user to select a desired amount of CO 2  for the first space. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the control module controls the position of the damper in response to the user selected desired amount of CO 2  for the first space. 
     
     
         6 . A method to dehumidify, alternately heat or cool a first space, and provide a controlled amount of CO 2  to the first space, the method comprising:
 achieving a temperature for the first space;   achieving a humidity level for the first space without changing the temperature for the first space; and   achieving a CO 2  level for the first space without changing the temperature or the humidity level for the first space.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein achieving the CO 2  level for the first space comprises:
 storing exhaust from an indoor unit in a receptacle; and   delivering the exhaust from the receptacle.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein delivering the exhaust from the receptacle comprises transitioning a damper of the receptacle from a closed position to an open position. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a control module transitions the damper of the receptacle from the closed position to the open position in response to a CO 2  determination. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising:
 monitoring the humidity level for the first space; 
 monitoring the temperature for the first space; and 
 monitoring the CO 2  level for the first space. 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the humidity level, temperature, and CO 2  level are monitored by a control module. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature ranges from approximately 65° F. to 85° F., such as 68° F., 70° F., 75° F., 79° F., 80° F., 83° F., or a temperature falling within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the humidity level ranges from approximately 60% to 85%, such as 63%, 65%, 68%, 70%, 75%, 77%, 80%, 83%, or a humidity level within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the CO 2  level ranges from approximately 400 ppm to 1800 ppm, such as 600 ppm, 700 ppm, 800 ppm, 1000 ppm, 1200 ppm, 1600 ppm, or a level within a range defined by any two of the foregoing values. 
     
     
         15 . A control module to control functions to dehumidify, alternately heat or cool a first space, and/or provide a controlled amount of CO 2  to the first space, the control module comprising:
 a first microprocessor in electronic communication with a thermostat, a humidistat, and/or a CO 2  controller;   low voltage wiring connecting the control module to a first indoor unit and an outdoor unit; and   a second microprocessor in electrical communication with the first indoor unit, the outdoor unit, and/or the first microprocessor,   the second microprocessor configured to alter an operational mode of the first indoor unit and/or the outdoor unit in response to at least one signal received from the first microprocessor.