Humidity control algorithm

Abstract

A system and method is provided to control the operation of an HVAC system to remove humidity from an indoor air environment without cooling the indoor air environment. The system includes a thermostat that operates the HVAC system to remove humidity when the sensed humidity falls below a humidity set point. After operation of the HVAC system, the thermostat monitors whether the temperature within the indoor air environment falls due to the operation of the HVAC system. If the temperature within the indoor air environment falls consistently, the humidity control algorithm determines that the HVAC system cannot operate without cooling and prevents future operation of the HVAC system to provide only dehumidification. If, however, the humidity control algorithm determines that the HVAC system can operate to dehumidify without cooling, the humidity control algorithm operates the HVAC system accordingly.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is based on and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60 / 797,633 filed on May 4, 2006.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Recently, there have been many advancements in the operation of HVAC systems regarding humidity control. In particular, there currently exist HVAC systems that are capable of removing humidity from the air without cooling the air. In many of these systems, humidity is removed from the air and, once the humidity has been removed, the dehumidified air is heated enough such that the air returned to the enclosed environment has not been cooled.[0003]As with many technological advances, the controls and control algorithms for HVAC systems have lagged the advances in the physical equipment. Presently, thermostats or HVAC controls only call for dehumidification when there is also a call for cooling or when the current temperature of the indoor air environment is close to the coo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Alternatively, the method could be further enhanced by providing a temperature probe at an outlet vent for the HVAC system. By observing the temperature at the outlet vent, rather than at the thermostat or control itself, the thermostat cou

Problems solved by technology

However, currently available thermostats and HVAC controllers are not capable of operating the HVAC system as a dehumidifier independently when the temperature within the building is below the cooling temperature set point such that a demand for cooling is not indicated.

In these situations, the therm

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