Systems and methods are provided and include a variable frequency drive configured to drive a fan motor of an HVAC system to ventilate an indoor space, the HVAC system having a cooling assembly that includes at least one of an economizer and a compressor. A controller is configured to communicate with the variable frequency drive, receive at least one signal from an occupancy sensing device, determine whether the indoor space is less than fully occupied based on the at least one signal, and control the variable frequency drive to reduce a speed of the fan motor in response to determining that the indoor space is less than fully occupied.

Premanufactured structures for constructing buildings comprise a construction system for an energy efficient multi-story building with standard single or mixed units. The multi-story building is constructed using premanufactured structures: non-weight bearing walls with finished exterior including all electrical, insulating, plumbing and communications components that are premanufactured at a site distant from a building site, and the non-weight bearings walls are attached to a floor and ceiling slabs, interfacing with each other to enclose units of the building; interior components that are premanufactured at a remote site to connect to inside portions of the non-weight bearing walls; and exterior components that are premanufactured at the remote site to attach to exterior surfaces of the building. Non-weight bearing walls, interior components, and exterior components are installed and connected together to provide the energy efficient multi-story building with units with different floor plans, and optionally, a retail level with underground parking.

A portable, insulated shelter consists of flexible inner and outer layers, lightweight fabric panels located therebetween, and connected to each other, a suitable support frame, and a system, such as a HVAC unit and a suitable connector, for actively controlling the interior environment of the shelter. The shelter may be used to protect and provide livable conditions in harsh, remote locations. Methods of selectively installing and removing the fabric panels are also provided, along with methods of setting up and disassembling the shelter.

A facade support system can be attached to a wall of a structure to support a veneer on the wall. A bracket of the support system that can be attached to the wall includes a connecting plate and a mounting member. A support attached to the connecting plate can be disposed in a mortar bed joint of the veneer. A standoff positioned for engagement with the wall is selectively attachable to the connecting plate in different locations for maintaining a substantially horizontal position of the support. In some instances the mounting member may have detents engageable with detents on a washer. In other instances both the connecting plate and the mounting member include detents.

The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed.

An energy-reducing method and apparatus for retrofitting a single zone, constant volume HVAC system, with or without an economizer, that provides heating, cooling, and ventilation to occupants within a building space. The present invention includes the introduction of a programmable logic controller and variable frequency drive (VFD) that takes control of the existing fan, heating, cooling, and optional economizer operation. The reduction of the fan speed in the ventilation mode when the 100% operation is not needed saves significant energy of the existing constant volume HVAC system where the fan motor is designed to run 100% of the time.

A thermally broken framing system and method of use are disclosed. The thermal framing system is comprised generally of a structural stud, exterior retention framing and a fastener system comprised of thermal spacer material, and structural fasteners. In one representative embodiment, the structural stud, in cross section is C-shaped, and at one end of the structural stud is a structural tab facing in the direction of the exterior retention framing. The structural tab is further comprised of apertures located at regular intervals. The exterior retention framing is comprised generally of a retention face represented as and two framing tabs attached to the retention face. The framing tabs have framing tab apertures placed at regular intervals from each other to match the spacing of the apertures. The structural tab apertures and framing tab apertures are aligned and thermally insulated fastening units placed through the apertures, securing the apparatus.

An integrated fiber cement and foam cladding system is provided that incorporates foam or similar light weight material to improve the insulation capacity of the cladding system. The system includes at least a fiber cement layer and a foam layer disposed on the backside of the fiber cement layer. The system improves the R-value of the building, a measure of the building's resistance to transferring heat or thermal energy.

The invention comprises a product. The product comprises a foam insulating panel, the panel having a first primary surface and an opposite second primary surface, wherein the foam insulating panel defines at least one recessed channel in the first primary surface, the at least one recessed channel being sized and shaped to provide a mold for a structural reinforcing member. The product also comprises a concrete panel formed on the first primary surface and filling the at least one recessed channel so as to provide a structural reinforcing member for the concrete panel. The product further comprises an elongate anchor member in the foam insulating panel and extending from the first primary surface of the foam insulating panel into the concrete panel. A method of making a composite reinforced insulated concrete structure is also disclosed.

A device for insulating the slab foundation of a building, said device comprising: a generally horizontal insulating section disposed between the slab foundation and a footer of a building, said horizontally disposed insulating section comprising a generally elongated cuboid shape having at least one cutout through which a concrete column is disposed; said prefabricated device further comprising a generally vertical insulating section disposed adjacent to said horizontal insulating section and attached to said building.