Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

Disclosed are methods and functional elements for enhanced thermal management of predominantly enclosed spaces. In particular, the invention enables the construction of buildings with reduced power requirements for heating and/or air-conditioning systems since under certain conditions less energy for heating or cooling is required to maintain, within certain boundaries, desirable temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other enclosed spaces.

In some instances the invention is in part based on dynamically changing functional elements with variable properties, or effective properties, in terms of their electromagnetic radiative behavior and/or their thermal energy storage properties, or the spatial distribution of the stored thermal energy, which permits the application of methods and algorithms to control the overall thermal behavior of the entire structure in such a way that desired levels of inside temperature can be reached with reduced consumption of external energy (typically electricity, gas, oil, or coal).

In some instances no conventional heating of cooling is required at all, whereas in other instances the expenditure of external energy for conventional heating or cooling is reduced. In some instances the invention enables the reduction of the time to reach desired temperatures inside such buildings, habitats, or other predominantly enclosed spaces.

Methods and systems are provided for managing environmental conditions and energy usage associated with a site. One exemplary method of regulating an environment condition at a site involves a server receiving environmental measurement data from a monitoring system at the site via a network, determining an action for an electrical appliance at the site based at least in part on the environmental measurement data and one or more monitoring rules associated with the site, and providing an indication of the action to an actuator for the electrical appliance.

Methods and systems are provided for managing environmental conditions and energy usage associated with a site. One exemplary method of regulating an environment condition at a site involves a server receiving environmental measurement data from a monitoring system at the site via a network, determining an action for an electrical appliance at the site based at least in part on the environmental measurement data and one or more monitoring rules associated with the site, and providing an indication of the action to an actuator for the electrical appliance.

A manifold (15) comprising a flow chamber (35) for receiving flow heat exchange water from respective heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first inlet ports (47, 48) and from which the flow heat exchange water is delivered to heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through flow ports (57, 58). A return chamber (36) in the manifold (15) for receiving return heat exchange water from the heat exchange circuits (8, 9) through return ports (57, 58), and from which the return heat exchange water is returned to some of the heat sources (3, 5, 7) through first outlet ports (53, 54). A bypass chamber (37) located in the manifold (15) between the flow chamber (35) and the return chamber (36) receives flow water from the flow chamber (35), which has not been drawn off by the heat exchange circuits (8, 9), through a communicating passageway (40). Heat exchange water from the bypass chamber (37) is returned through second outlet ports (55, 56) to others of the heat sources (3, 5, 7).

A water heating and treatment system includes a water heater, a hot water outflow line from the water heater, and a cold water supply line to supply water to the water heater. The cold water supply line includes at least one of an anti-scale device, and a UV sanitation lamp. A mixing station supplies a temperature regulated heated water to one or multiple temperature zones. The water heater, the anti-scale device, the UV sanitation lamp, and the mixing station are contained in a single enclosure having at least one transparent wall through which components can be viewed. A method for treating hot water to suppress pathogens and undesired bacterial content in a domestic water system is also described.

A hydronic system and method of use that will maintain normal system operating pressure while also reliably detecting even very small fluid losses in any closed loop fluid heat transfer system is described. The system includes a controller having clock or timing functionality in communication with one or more pressure sensors and a fluid supply valve that provides one or more notifications when the pressure drops below predetermined levels during predetermined periods of time. Depending on the nature of the pressure loss, the system has the capability of opening a fluid supply valve to provide make up fluid and increase system pressure.

The present invention describes a water recirculation system intended for recycling of water or discarding of water not suitable to recycle, said water recirculation system (1) comprising a flow path for recirculation (50), at least one water treating unit (6), and a sensor unit (7) arranged for measurement of at least water quality, and wherein the sensor unit (7) is connected to a control unit which decides if water should be recycled or discarded in a point of separation (30) based on the measurement of the water quality, said water recirculation system (1) also comprises a first heating source (00), and wherein the water recirculation system (1) also comprises a second heating source (200).

The wireless wall thermostat of the present invention utilizes a push-contact mechanical system that allows a user to raise or lower the temperature within a space by applying a force on the top or bottom center of the front of the thermostat. The perpendicular force applied by the user generates a moment arm around pivot connectors, which rotates the thermostat clockwise or counter-clockwise. When rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise, contact buttons attached to the back of the thermostat come into contact with the trigger tabs of a stationary trigger plate mounted to a wall through use of an electromagnetic attraction between a steel disc and a magnet. When the trigger tabs press the contact buttons, the contact buttons send a signal to the central processing unit of the thermostat's internal circuit board to modulate the temperature setting. In addition, the wireless wall thermostat can be detachable by utilizing a magnetic release smart mount.