Remote testing of HVAC systems
View Patent ↗A number of methods for testing an HVAC system for a building structure from a remote location outside of the building structure are disclosed. Generally, the HVAC system has a primarily active component and a primarily dormant component. The method includes the steps of transmitting a test request to the HVAC system from the remote location, performing a test on the primarily dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request, and producing a test result. The test result can then be transmitted to a location outside of the building structure.
1. A remote device configured to communicate with an HVAC controller, wherein the HVAC controller is for controlling one or more HVAC components of an HVAC system, the remote device comprising:
a communications port for sending and/or receiving information;
a memory for storing information; and
a controller coupled to the communications port and the memory, the controller configured to transmit a request to the HVAC controller via the communications port of the remote device requesting that a test be executed on a dormant component of the HVAC system, the controller is further configured to receive a test result from the HVAC controller via the communications port after the requested test on the dormant component has been executed.
2. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device includes a cellular phone.
3. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device includes a computer.
4. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device includes a web server.
5. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device is configured to communicate with the HVAC controller, at least in part, over the internet.
6. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the remote device is configured to communicate with the HVAC controller, at least in part, over a wireless network.
7. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the controller of the remote device is configured to determine if the dormant component needs maintenance based, at least in part, on the test result received via the communications port.
8. The remote device of claim 7 , wherein the controller is further configured to schedule a maintenance visit if it is determined that the dormant component needs maintenance.
9. The remote device of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate a report based, at least in part, on the test result received via the communications port.
10. A computer readable medium having stored thereon in a non-transitory state software for use by a remote device connectable to a network, the software causing the remote device to execute a method for testing an HVAC system of a building from a remote location outside of the building structure, the HVAC system having an active component and a dormant component, the method comprising:
transmitting a test request to an HVAC system over a network, the test request requesting the HVAC system perform a test on the dormant component of the HVAC system, wherein the test includes activating the dormant component;
receiving a test result indicative of one or more HVAC parameters of the dormant component from the HVAC system via the network; and
determining, based at least in part on the test result, if the dormant component needs maintenance or not.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the remote device includes a cellular phone.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the remote device includes a web server.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the remote device includes a computer.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , the method further comprising requesting a maintenance visit if it is determined that the dormant component needs maintenance.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the network includes a wireless network.
16. The computer readable medium of claim 10 , wherein the network includes the internet.
17. An HVAC controller for controlling one or more HVAC components of an HVAC system comprising:
an input/output port for sending and/or receiving information;
a memory;
a controller coupled to the input/output port and the memory, the controller configured to perform a self-test on a dormant HVAC component of an HVAC system to produce a test result, the controller further configured to transmit the test result to a remote device for analysis.
18. The HVAC controller of claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to perform the test during a specified period of time.
19. The HVAC controller of claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to perform the test when the building is expected to be unoccupied.
20. The HVAC controller of claim 17 , wherein the controller is configured to perform the test when occupants of the building are expected to be sleeping.
21. A method for testing an HVAC system having an active component and a dormant component, the method comprising:
receiving a test request from a remote device;
activating the dormant component of the HVAC system in response to the test request;
producing a test result indicative of a response of the dormant component during the test; and
transmitting the test result to the remote device for subsequent analysis.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising scheduling a maintenance visit if during the subsequent analysis, it is determined that the dormant component needs maintenance.