Control system for multiple heating, ventilation and air conditioning units

Abstract

An environmental control system is disclosed for controlling the environment within a plurality of zones within a building with a plurality of heating, ventilating and air conditioning units. The environmental control system comprises a plurality of controllers for controlling the plurality of heating, ventilating and air conditioning units, respectively. Each of the plurality of controllers includes a temperature sensor connected to a thermostat control for controlling a heating, ventilating and air conditioning unit in accordance with an output from the temperature sensor. A link interconnects the plurality of controllers into a network. Each of the plurality of controllers may alter the operation of the thermostat control in accordance with the operation of the remaining plurality of controllers interconnected into the network. The environmental control system provides multiple modes of operation including a preferred first non-overlap mode for preventing the simultaneous actuation of multiple heating, ventilating and air conditioning units. A less preferred second overlap mode permits simultaneous actuation of multiple heating, ventilating and air conditioning units for only a limited time period and a least preferred third demand saver setback mode lessening the environment requirements to reduce the need to simultaneously actuate multiple heating, ventilating and air conditioning units.