Continuous monitoring system for early failure detection in HVAC systems

1. A computer program product for monitoring an HVAC system, comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a set of operations, the set of operations comprising:

receiving input temperature data and output temperature data that correspond to an analysis period of the HVAC system;

computing at least one delta T value by determining a difference between an input temperature of the input temperature data and an output temperature of the output temperature data;

computing an upper delta T limit and a lower delta T limit based on a median absolute deviation from a median (MAD) of a plurality of delta T values;

comparing a newly calculated delta T value to the upper delta T limit and the lower delta T limit; and

generating an alert, a warning, or both the alert and the warning if the newly calculated delta T value is either greater than the upper delta T limit or less than the lower delta T limit,

wherein the alert and/or the warning is to notify an individual about a problem of the HVAC system to facilitate repair of the HVAC system before the HVAC system fails.

2. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the input temperature data and the output temperature data are provided by a communication device operably connected to an input temperature sensor positioned at a return air plenum of the HVAC system and an output temperature sensor positioned at a supply air plenum of the HVAC system.

3. The computer program product of claim 2 , wherein the input temperature data and the output temperature data are transmitted to the communication device.

4. The computer program product of claim 2 , wherein the communication device is capable of wireless communication for transmitting the input temperature data and the output temperature data.

5. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of delta T values comprises historical delta T values representative of performance of the HVAC system over a period of time.

6. The computer program product of claim 1 , wherein the computer program product automatically distinguishes a heating mode from a cooling mode, and independently provides an analysis that is specific for each mode.

7. A computer program product for monitoring an HVAC system, comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a set of operations, the set of operations comprising:

receiving input temperature data, output temperature data, current probe data, water sensor data, and pressure sensor data that correspond to an analysis period;

determining a presence or an absence of water based on the water sensor data;

computing at least one delta T value by determining a difference between an input temperature of the input temperature data and an output temperature of the output temperature data;

computing at least one run time value from the current probe data;

computing at least one on/off cycle value from the current probe data;

computing at least one delta P value by determining a difference between an input pressure of the pressure sensor data and an output pressure of the pressure sensor data;

computing an upper delta T limit and a lower delta T limit based on a median absolute deviation from a median (MAD) of a plurality of delta T values and comparing a newly calculated delta T value to the upper delta T limit and the lower delta T limit;

computing at least one run time value threshold based on a plurality of run time values and comparing a newly calculated run time value to the run time value threshold;

computing at least one on/off cycle value threshold based on a plurality of on/off cycle values and comparing a newly calculated on/off cycle value to the on/off cycle value threshold;

computing at least one delta P value threshold based on a plurality of delta P values and comparing a newly calculated delta P value to the delta P value threshold;

and

generating an alert, a warning, or both the alert and the warning if:

the presence of water is determined based on the water sensor data;

the newly calculated delta T value is outside a range of the upper delta T limit and the lower delta T limit;

the newly calculated run time value is outside a range of the run time value threshold;

the newly calculated on/off cycle value is outside a range of the on/off cycle value threshold;

the newly calculated delta P value is outside a range of the delta P value threshold; or

any combination thereof,

wherein the alert and/or the warning is to notify an individual about a problem of the HVAC system to facilitate repair of the HVAC system before the HVAC system fails.

8. A computer program product for monitoring an HVAC system, comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having instructions encoded thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform a set of operations, the set of operations consisting essentially of:

receiving input temperature data and output temperature data that correspond to an analysis period of the HVAC system;

computing at least one delta T value by determining a difference between an input temperature of the input temperature data and an output temperature of the output temperature data;

computing an upper delta T limit and a lower delta T limit based on a median absolute deviation from a median (MAD) of a plurality of delta T values;

comparing a newly calculated delta T value to the upper delta T limit and the lower delta T limit; and

generating an alert, a warning, or both the alert and the warning if the newly calculated delta T value is either greater than the upper delta T limit or less than the lower delta T limit,

wherein the alert and/or the warning is to notify an individual about a problem of the HVAC system to facilitate repair of the HVAC system before the HVAC system fails.

9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the input temperature data and the output temperature data are provided by a communication device operably connected to an input temperature sensor positioned at a return air plenum of the HVAC system and an output temperature sensor positioned at a supply air plenum of the HVAC system.

10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the input temperature data and the output temperature data are transmitted to the communication device.

11. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the communication device is capable of wireless communication for transmitting the input temperature data and the output temperature data.

12. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of delta T values comprises historical delta T values representative of performance of the HVAC system over a period of time.

13. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the computer program product automatically distinguishes a heating mode from a cooling mode, and independently provides an analysis that is specific for each mode.