Demand control ventilation system with remote monitoring
Methods and systems for remotely monitoring and/or controlling a demand control ventilation system are disclosed. In one illustrative embodiment, a demand control ventilation device having a damper and a controller are provided. The damper may have a range of damper positions for controlling a flow of outside air into the building. The controller controls the damper positions such that a desired flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building. A remote monitoring device may also be provided. The remote monitoring device may be located remotely from the demand control ventilation device, but in communication with or part of the controller. In some instances, the remote monitoring device may have a user interface for remotely monitoring and/or controlling at least certain aspects of the demand control ventilation system from the remote location.
1. A Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system for a building, comprising:
a demand control ventilation device having a damper and a controller, the damper having a range of damper positions for controlling a flow of outside air into the building, and the controller controlling the damper positions such that a desired flow of outside air is drawn through the damper and into the building;
a remote monitoring device located remotely from the demand control ventilation device but in communication with the controller of the demand control ventilation device, the remote monitoring device having a user interface, wherein the remote monitoring device is configured to alert a user via the user interface of the remote monitoring device to a detected fault of the demand control ventilation device;
wherein the remote monitoring device is located within the building and readily accessible to a user of the building; and
wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the demand control ventilation device, at a time determined by the controller, utilizing calibration parameters that are inputted into the remote monitoring device by a user, the calibration parameters including a minimum calibration ventilation rate and a maximum calibration ventilation rate.
2. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the demand control ventilation device is a rooftop unit.
3. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the remote monitoring device displays a textual error message via the user interface of the remote monitoring device when a fault has been detected.
4. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the remote monitoring device provides a visual alert via the user interface of the remote monitoring device when a fault has been detected.
5. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the remote monitoring device provides an audio alert via the user interface of the remote monitoring device when a fault has been detected.
6. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the remote monitoring device is in wireless communication with the controller.
7. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the user interface of the remote monitoring device is configured to allow a user to provide control parameters to the controller.
8. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 1 , wherein the remote monitoring device is configured to display one or more current operational parameters via the user interface of the remote monitoring device.
9. A Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system for a building, comprising:
a first temperature sensor positioned to sense an outside air temperature;
a second temperature sensor positioned to sense a return air temperature within the DCV system;
one or more dampers, the one or more dampers for controlling a flow of air into and out of the building;
a controller, the controller configured to control a position of the one or more dampers; and
a remote monitoring device having a user interface, configured to display system operating parameters and faults via the user interface;
wherein a user may input control parameters via the user interface of the remote monitoring device, wherein the input control parameters are then used by the controller; and
wherein the controller is configured to calibrate the demand control ventilation device, at a time determined by the controller, utilizing calibration parameters that are inputted into the user interface of the remote monitoring device, the calibration parameters including a minimum calibration ventilation rate and a maximum calibration ventilation rate.
10. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 9 , wherein the controller is separate from the remote monitoring device.
11. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 10 , wherein the one or more dampers and the controller are part of a demand control ventilation device, and the remote monitoring device is separate from and configured to be located remotely from the demand control ventilation device.
12. The Demand Control Ventilation (DCV) system of claim 9 , further comprising a data logging element in communication with the remote monitoring device.