Configuration of flow paths for the output (e.g., chilled or heated air) of an HVAC system is described. In one embodiment, a demand response message can be received from a resource provider requesting that the HVAC system increase or decrease consumption of the resource. If the request is satisfied, then the output from the HVAC device will be increased or decreased resulting in potential discomfort for occupants. This output, however, rather than being distributed in a uniform manner, can instead be distributed, via ventilation elements of the HVAC system in a non-uniform way according to the flow paths. The flow paths can be determined to direct sufficient output to high priority zones in order to, e.g., satisfy a comfort level in the high priority zones.

A method for providing personalized comfort to occupants of an environmentally conditioned space includes sensing a pre-adjustment pressure within a variable air volume diffuser, remotely adjusting a position an individually-adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser, sensing a post-adjustment pressure within the variable air volume diffuser, and modifying the airflow through the variable air volume diffuser such that the post-adjustment pressure is equal to the pre-adjustment pressure. The variable air volume diffuser includes individually-adjustable directional outlets and a controller configured to regulate air pressure within the variable air volume diffuser when an individually adjustable directional outlet is adjusted. A user device in operative communication with the variable air volume diffuser includes a user interface to remotely adjust an adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser to provide personalized comfort for the user. In embodiments, the variable air volume diffuser responds to spoken commands.

Systems and methods are directed to an air handler that reduces noise without reducing the pressure of air supplied to a space below minimum levels. The air handler includes a plenum forming a passageway for air. The plenum has a return side, a supply side, a fan within the plenum having a suction side and a pressure side to move air through the plenum, and a conditioning apparatus in the plenum for conditioning air through the plenum. The air handler further includes a sound-attenuating panel having a first side and an opposed second side that extend at least partially across the plenum. The panel is configured and positioned to interact with the flow of air to attenuate sound. The fan provides a pressure boost to air flowing through the plenum to counteract a pressure drop resulting from interaction between the air, the panel, and the conditioning apparatus.

Systems and methods for circulating air in an enclosed environment are disclosed. In some embodiments, the system includes an inlet to receive air from outside of the enclosed environment and an air handling unit coupled to the inlet and also configured to receive circulated air from the enclosed environment. The air handling unit can be configured to affect a temperature of at least one of the received outside air and the received circulated air. Based on the received outside air and the received circulated air, the air handling unit can be further configured to generate air for supplying to the enclosed environment.

A method of controlling a discharge air reset in an heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR system includes determining, by a controller, a space temperature in a conditioned space, a setpoint temperature of the conditioned space, and an operating mode of a variable-air-volume (VAV) box for the conditioned space. The controller determines whether the operating mode of the VAV box matches an operating mode of an HVACR unit. A deviation from the setpoint temperature of the conditioned space for the VAV box for the conditioned is calculated in response to determining the VAV box is in a same mode as the HVACR unit. An average deviation from the setpoint temperature of the conditioned space is calculated. A discharge air setpoint temperature is determined based on the average deviation from the setpoint temperature of the conditioned space. The controller sets the discharge air setpoint temperature of the HVACR unit using the determined discharge air setpoint temperature.

A method for providing personalized comfort to occupants of an environmentally conditioned space includes sensing a pre-adjustment pressure within a variable air volume diffuser, remotely adjusting a position an individually-adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser, sensing a post-adjustment pressure within the variable air volume diffuser, and modifying the airflow through the variable air volume diffuser such that the post-adjustment pressure is equal to the pre-adjustment pressure. The variable air volume diffuser includes individually-adjustable directional outlets and a controller configured to regulate air pressure within the variable air volume diffuser when an individually adjustable directional outlet is adjusted. A user device in operative communication with the variable air volume diffuser includes a user interface to remotely adjust an adjustable directional outlet of the variable air volume diffuser to provide personalized comfort for the user. In embodiments, the variable air volume diffuser responds to spoken commands.

An air control system to control a flow of warm air and/or cold air within a building, the air control system including a furnace to provide the warm air to rooms within the building, an air conditioning unit to provide the cold air to the rooms within the building, a plurality of thermostats/sensors disposed in the rooms within the building to sense temperatures in each of the rooms, and to allow a user to manually change the temperatures in each of the rooms, a plurality of mechanical vents disposed in each of the rooms to open and close based on the sensed temperatures in each of the rooms, and a computer to control the furnace and the air conditioning unit to turn on and/or off based on temperature settings set by the user in each of the rooms, and to control the plurality of mechanical vents to open and close.

A chiller plant including at least two chillers operating at different temperatures are disclosed. Process fluid circuits of the chillers can form fluid communication when, for example, one or more of the at least two chillers may fail, so that the other chiller(s) of the at least two chillers may provide backup operation to the failed chiller(s).

Configuration of flow paths for the output (e.g., chilled or heated air) of an HVAC system is described. In one embodiment, a demand response message can be received from a resource provider requesting that the HVAC system increase or decrease consumption of the resource. If the request is satisfied, then the output from the HVAC device will be increased or decreased resulting in potential discomfort for occupants. This output, however, rather than being distributed in a uniform manner, can instead be distributed, via ventilation elements of the HVAC system in a non-uniform way according to the flow paths. The flow paths can be determined to direct sufficient output to high priority zones in order to, e.g., satisfy a comfort level in the high priority zones.

A sound level control system for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is provided. The sound level control system comprises an outdoor unit with a compressor, an outdoor fan, and an outdoor controller and a communication device located at a predefined distance from the outdoor unit. The communication device measures sound levels in response to operating the outdoor unit. The outdoor controller is configured to receive a first noise level limit for a predefined time period, receive an instruction related to selective control of the outdoor unit, selectively control both of the compressor to rotate at a first compressor speed and the outdoor fan to rotate at a first fan speed based on the noise level limit for the predefined time period, and receive information related to whether a sound pressure level at a predefined location exceeds the first noise level limit for the predefined time period.