Patent Publication Number: US-2019178516-A1

Title: Apparatus and Method for Operating an Intelligent Air Conditioning and Heating System

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system. More so, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for energy savings during the operation of an air conditioning and heating unit by selectively and temporarily powering off a cooling compressor or heat exchanger, and powering on a fan to blow on the cooling compressor or heat exchanger when a predetermined temperature or an operational duration has been reached, and further providing a bypass switch that overrides the function of powering off the cooling compressor or heat exchanger, so as to maintain operation of the air conditioning and heating unit in normal operation when the user set temperature is not achievable due to extreme temperature conditions; and whereby the bypass switch is actuated manually, or automatically actuated by detecting at least one intelligently sensed event, such as detecting the presence of occupants in a room, the time of day, noise, body heat, and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. 
     Typically, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) is the technology of indoor environmental comfort. HVAC provides thermal comfort and acceptable indoor air quality. Often, air conditioning and refrigeration are provided through the removal of heat. The heat can be removed through radiation, convection, or conduction. Refrigeration conduction media such as water, air, ice, and chemicals are referred to as refrigerants. The heaters are appliances whose purpose is to generate heat for the building. This can be done via central heating. Heaters may include electric, boiler, furnace, or heat pump to heat water, steam, or air in a central location such as an air handler unit in a home, or a mechanical furnace room in a large building. 
     There are several types or categories of HVAC systems. The 2 most common categories are centralized HVAC and decentralized HVAC. Each category has its own advantages and disadvantages and are used in different environments. For centralized HVAC, there are 2 main types as well. The first type is using chilled water as cooling medium and large boilers as heating medium, and is mainly used for large industrial or commercial facilities. The second type is using refrigerant in the compressors as cooling medium and heat pump or gas furnace or electrical heat strips as heating medium, and is mainly used in smaller commercial buildings and residential homes. For residential homes, these types of HVAC are also call split system where the air conditioning compressor unit is split away from the air handler unit where the heat exchangers and blower fan are located. For centralized HVAC, the air handler unit distributes the conditioned air throughout the multiple rooms or spaces using a network of duck works. 
     The decentralized HVAC serves a single room or a small conditioned space. It has no duct work. It is also called the ductless system or mini-split. The decentralized HVAC unit is typically located in the room itself or adjacent to the room. These HVAC are usually a direct expansion types. Examples of these decentralized HVAC are packaged through the wall of the room, window mounted, room mounted with compressor outside the room (mini split), etc. The packaged through the wall type is also called the Package Terminal Air Conditioning (PTAC) and Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP). 
     In these direct expansion types of HVAC, the air is cooled directly through the heat exchanger of the refrigerants. The principal advantages of these HVAC systems are lower initial cost, simplified installation, no duck works and pipes, independent zone controls, and can be individually metered. The major disadvantages as compared to centralized HVAC system are shorter equipment life, higher audible noise, and much higher energy consumption in kW per ton basis. 
     PTAC and PTHP are commonly found in hotels, motels, apartments, condos, schools, medical facilities and offices nationwide. In fact, there are more PTACs and PTHPs installed in the United States than all the centralized HVAC systems combined. 
     Many PTACs and PTHPs has a 24Vac thermostat interface so that a thermostat can be used to set the desired room temperature. Due to the much energy consumption of the PTAC and PTHP, there is a need for an energy saving apparatus that can be installed in the PTAC/PTHP that can save energy. 
     The present invention called PTX as described herein is an apparatus that will provide energy savings to a PTAC and PTHP and represents a cost-effective measure to reduce energy consumption to these HVAC industry workhorses. 
     The PTAC/PTHP typically operates the ventilation fan for 0 second to 30 seconds after the heater or air conditioner has power down after the room set temperature has been reached. However, after the 30 seconds duration, the heater surface or the air conditioner cooling coil still have residual energy left. This wasted energy is not delivered to the conditioned space when the blower fan stops blowing. The PTX apparatus works by extending the blower fan to run a few additional minutes while powering off the compressor or heater after continuous runs for a few minutes, and which both the fan extension and the powering off can be bypassed if the conditions are not suitable to ensure that the occupant remains comfortable. 
     Other proposals have involved energy saving methods for HVAC systems. The problem with these devices and energy saving methods are that they do not regulate the powering on and off of the cooling compressor and heat exchanger and a means of bypassing them when conditions are not suitable. Also, there is no triggering event that bypasses the powering off of the air conditioning and heating units. Even though the above cited energy saving methods for HVAC systems meets some of the needs of the market, they are not an intelligent controls or air conditioning and heating system and method of operation. More so, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for energy savings during the operation of an air conditioning and heating unit by selectively and temporarily powering off a cooling compressor or heat exchanger while powering on the blower fan to blow on the cooling compressor or heat exchanger when a predetermined temperature or an operational duration has been reached, and further providing a bypass switch that overrides the function of powering off the cooling compressor or heat exchanger. 
     SUMMARY 
     Illustrative embodiments of the disclosure are generally directed to an apparatus and method for operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system. The apparatus and method help to conserve energy and the life span of an air conditioning and heating unit by selectively and temporarily powering off or pausing a cooling compressor or heat exchanger, while powering on the blower fan to blow on the cooling compressor or heat exchanger when a predetermined temperature or an operational duration has been reached. The system and method also enable manual or automated bypassing of this powering off function. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus and method teach an air conditioning and heating unit having a cooling compressor or heat exchanger, respectively, that powers off when a predetermined operational duration, such as 15 minutes, has been reached. However, while the cooling compressor and heat exchanger are forced to become non-operational, the blower fan continues blowing for a predetermined non-operational duration, such as about 3 minutes, directly on the cooling compressor or heat exchanger to carry the cool or hot air, and thereby maintain the conditioned air into the conditioned space. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus is integrated into a thermostat making the thermostat the energy conservation unit. 
     Thus, the fan blows air across the condensation from the cooling compressor coils or the dissipating heat from the heat exchanger to blow cooled air by evaporative effects or heated air from the heater residual energy, to save energy even though the conditioned room user set temperature may not be maintained. By temporarily powering off the cooling compressor or heat exchanger, energy is saved. After 3 minutes, the cooling compressor or heat exchanger power back on, with the blower fan continues blowing. Furthermore, a bypass switch overrides the function of powering off the cooling compressor or heat exchanger, to maintain normal operation of the air conditioning and heating unit when the predetermined temperature is not achievable due to extreme temperature or humidity conditions. 
     In one embodiment, the method of operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system, comprises:
         installing an energy conservation module (PTX) between a wired or a wireless thermostat base module in the conditioned room and the thermostat interface of the air conditioning unit and a heater unit (PTAC/PTHP) and configuring the energy saving unit (PTX) to perform a set of functions comprising:   forcing the blower fan of the air conditioning unit and heater unit to blow air against the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger for a variable period, after powering off the heater or compressor due to conditioned room has met the thermostat&#39;s set temperature;   forcing the powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger for a predetermined non-operational duration when an operational duration is reached, even though the conditioned room has not met the thermostat&#39;s set temperature and the thermostat is still calling for powering on of the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger;   forcing the blower fan of the air conditioning unit and heater unit to blow air against the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after forcing the powering off the heater or compressor that are not due to actions of the thermostat;   powering on the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after the predetermined non-operational duration has lapsed;   manually bypassing, with at least one bypass switch, the step of forced powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger and the steps of forcing the blower fan of the air conditioning unit and heater unit to blow air against the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger for a variable period, after powering off the heater or compressor due to conditioned room has met the thermostat&#39;s set temperature       

     In another embodiment, the method of operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system, comprises:
         installing an energy conservation module (PTX) between a wired or a wireless thermostat base module in the conditioned room and the thermostat interface of the air conditioning unit and a heater unit and configuring the energy saving unit (PTX) to receive ambient temperature data wirelessly or through cable and to communicate with air conditioning unit and a heater unit.   configuring the energy saving unit (PTX) to perform a set of functions comprising:   setting a predetermined temperature for the conditional room ambient air;   sensing the temperature of the ambient air that is being heated or cooled;   powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger for a predetermined non-operational duration when the predetermined ambient temperature or an operational duration is reached;   forcing the blower fan of the air conditioning unit and heater unit to blow air against the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after powering off the heater or compressor;   powering on the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after the predetermined non-operational duration has lapsed;   manually bypassing, with at least one bypass switch, the step of powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger; and   automatically bypassing, with the at least one bypass switch, the step of powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger when detecting at least one intelligently sensed event.       

     In another aspect, the air conditioning and heating unit comprises a packaged terminal air conditioner and a packaged terminal heat pump. 
     In another aspect, the air conditioning and heating unit is operational with low voltage terminals that remotely connect to the thermostat through Bluetooth. 
     In another aspect, the intelligent air conditioning and heating system is in communication with the fan, the cooling compressor, and the heat exchanger. 
     In another aspect, the energy conservation module comprises a thermostat terminal and a microprocessor for communicating temperature. 
     In another aspect, the step of manually shutting off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger is actuated remotely through Bluetooth technology, radio frequency signals, Wi-Fi controls, or ZigBee. 
     In another aspect, the operational duration is about fifteen minutes. 
     In another aspect, the predetermined non-operational duration is about three minutes. 
     In another aspect, the intelligent air conditioning and heating system comprises a humidity sensor working in conjunction with the thermostat. 
     In another aspect, the at least one intelligently sensed event detecting an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, or both. 
     In another aspect, the at least one intelligently sensed event includes at least one of the following: detecting the presence of a person in a room, detecting the presence of mobile phone signals in the room indicating occupant in the room, detecting body heat, detecting motion, detecting door lock positions of on or off, detecting television sounds, detecting the time of day, detecting television remote signals being used over a period, detecting noise from a door closing and opening. 
     In another aspect, the blower fan comprises a low-speed fan and a high-speed fan. 
     In another aspect, the method comprises a step of operating the blower fan for a variable period if the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger power off before the operational duration is complete. 
     One objective of the present invention is to conserve energy and life span of the air conditioning and heating unit. 
     Another objective is to automate the powering off of the cooling compressor and heat exchanger for a predetermined non-operational duration of about three minutes, to conserve energy. 
     Yet another objective is to allow the fan to blow cool air and heat for three minutes while the cooling compressor and heat exchanger are powered off. 
     Yet another objective is to enable the powering off of the cooling compressor and heat exchanger to be bypassed with a bypass switch. 
     Yet another objective is to enable both manual and automated bypassing. 
     Yet another objective is to provide sensors that dictate whether to actuate the bypass switch. 
     Yet another objective is to provide an inexpensive way to manufacture intelligent air conditioning and heating system. 
     Other systems, devices, methods, features, and advantages will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary intelligent air conditioning and heating apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary energy conservation module (PTX) in communication with the thermostat interface of cooling and heating unit (PTAC/PTHP) in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method for operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “rear,” “right,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are therefore not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     An apparatus  100  and method  200  for operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system is referenced in  FIGS. 1-3 . The apparatus  100  and method  200  helps to conserve energy and the life span of an air conditioning unit  102  and heating unit  106  by selectively and temporarily powering off a cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  for a predetermined non-operational duration, while maintaining power of a fan  114  to blow on a cooling compressor  104  or a heat exchanger  108  when a predetermined temperature, or an operational duration has been reached. The apparatus  100  and method  200  also enables manual or automated bypassing of the powering off function for the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 . 
     As referenced in  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  teaches conservation of energy and increasing life of an air conditioning unit  102  comprising a cooling compressor  104 , and a heating unit  106  comprising a heat exchanger  108 . These units  102 ,  106  works to remove or add heat from/to a space, thus cooling or heating the space&#39;s average temperature. In one embodiment, the air conditioning unit  102  and heating unit  106  are operational with low voltage terminals that remotely connect to a thermostat  110  through Bluetooth or using a cable. 
     The thermostat  110  is used to control the conditions of the air in a conditioned space by sending 24 Volts Alternating Current control signals to an energy conservation apparatus  126  which is the PTX module that activates or deactivates the air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106 . The thermostat  110  detects and communicates a user selected temperature that is determinative of the air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106 . Based on the user selected temperature, operation of the air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106  is performed. In other embodiments, a humidity sensor  128  works in conjunction with the thermostat  110  to detect humidity along with the temperature detected by the thermostat  110 . In another embodiment, an intelligent sensor  129  works in conjunction with the thermostat  110  to detect a host of sensors from the conditioned room such as motion, lights, noise, mobile phone signals, TV signals, door locks position, time of day, etc., along with the temperature detected by the thermostat  110 . 
     In some embodiments, the air conditioning unit  102  and heating unit  106  may include a Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and a Packaged Terminal Heat Pumps (PTHP). Those skilled in the art will recognize that PTAC and PTHP are self-contained HVAC systems commonly found in hotels, motels, apartments, condos, schools, medical facilities and offices nationwide. Installation of the intelligent air conditioning and heating apparatus  100  represents a cost-effective measure to reduce energy consumption by HVAC industry workhorses. 
     In one embodiment, the apparatus  100  comprises a moisture proof encapsulated energy conservation apparatus module  126  that regulates the apparatus  100 , and enables communication between the air conditioning unit  102 , the heating unit  106 , the thermostat  110 , and the blower fan  114 . The energy conservation module  126  comprises a combination of software, firmware, sensors, and circuitry designed to optimize efficiency of operation of air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106  and blower fan  114  through intervening control of system component activity. The energy conservation module  126  comprises a thermostat terminal  122  and terminal  113  for communicating with the air conditioning unit and heater unit. Subtle influences by the energy conservation module  126  result in substantial savings in operating cost; usually about 10-12%. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus  100  comprises a moisture proof encapsulated energy conservation apparatus module  126  embedded into the thermostat  110  with motion sensor as one integrated unit that communicates directly with the air conditioning unit  102 , the heating unit  106 , and the blower fan  114 . The integrated unit comprises a combination of hardware, software, firmware, sensors, and circuitry designed to optimize efficiency of operation of air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106  and blower fan  114  through intervening control of system component activity. The integrated unit comprises a terminal  113  for communicating with the air conditioning unit, heater unit and fan unit. 
     Further, the energy conservation module  126  powers off the air conditioning and heating unit  102 ,  106  after the thermostat  110  reaches a predetermined temperature but not the user selected set temperature, or an operational duration, such as 15 minutes. By temporarily powering off the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 , energy is saved and the life span of the air conditioning and heating units  102 , 106  are extended. After 3 minutes, the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  power back on. In either case, while powered on or off, the fan  114  continues blowing. 
     The energy conservation module  126  is in communication with the fan  114 , the cooling compressor  104 , and the heat exchanger  108 . In one embodiment, the energy conservation module  126  may include buttons or dials to manually or automatically set the differential temperature for the air conditioning and heating units to condition the air in a room to a temperature below or above the thermostat set temperature which is the pre-determined temperature. For example, if the user set the thermostat  110  to a temperature of 70 deg F. during the summer with the switch to cool, and the differential temperature in module  126  is set at 5 deg F, then the powering off of the compressor  104  will occur when the room temperature is at 75 deg F. (70 deg F.+5 deg F.). When the room reaches the module  126  pre-determined temperature of 75 deg F., the cooling compressor  104  cycle off to the non-operational mode. Similarly, in yet another example, if the user set the thermostat  110  to a temperature of 80 deg F. during the winter with the switch to heat, and the differential temperature in module  126  is set at 4 deg F., then the powering off of the heating element  108  will occur when the room temperature is at 76 deg F. (80 deg F.-4 deg F.). 
     In another embodiment, the module  126  does not have pre-determine temperature differential settings, but instead uses the duration of compressor or heater powered on to determine the cycle off to the non-operational mode. 
     However, while the cooling compressor  104  and heat exchanger  108  are non-operational, blower fan  114  continues blowing for a predetermined non-operational duration, such as about 3 minutes. However, in other embodiments, the blower fan  114  continues to run for about ten to sixty seconds. The blower fan  114  blows directly on the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  to carry the cool or hot air, and thereby attempting to maintain the condition room temperature. 
     The blower fan  114  blows air across the condensation from the cooling compressor  104  or the dissipating heat from the heat exchanger  108  to try to maintain the pre-determined temperature without requiring operation of the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 . In one embodiment, the fan  114  comprises a low-speed fan and a high-speed fan that operate at variable times, depending on the position of the bypass switch  112   a - b.    
     By temporarily powering off the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 , energy is saved. After 3 minutes, the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  power back on. In either case, while powered on or off, the blower fan  114  continues blowing. Thus, in operation, every 15 mins of cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  run time, the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  is forced to shut off for 3 minutes with the blower fan  114  continuing to run. If the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  power off before the 15 minutes interval is reached due to the thermostat already reaching the set temperature point, the fan  114  continues to run for a variable period of time after the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108  has stopped, depending on the duration of the previous ON (powering on) and previous OFF (powering off) cycles of the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 . 
     In this manner, air from the fan  114  blows on the condensate from the cooling compressor  104  to produce cool air without requiring the cooling compressor  104  to be operational for at least 3 minutes. Similarly, air from the fan  114  blows on the dissipating heat from the heat exchanger  108  to produce warm air without requiring the heat exchanger  108  to be operational, also for at least 3 minutes. It is significant to note that studies show that heat exchanger  104  coils retain residual energy after the compressor has stop running. The heat exchanger  108  remains hot with residual energy after the heater has stopped running as well. The energy conservative module  126  (PTX) initiates the recovery of this otherwise wasted energy. The apparatus  100  takes advantage of heating and cooling energy that is, otherwise, lost. 
     It is significant to note that in many temperate regions, there is little temperature difference between the desired room temperature and the outside air temperature. As such, the cooling compressor  104  typically runs for three to fifteen minutes per cycle. There are climate zones, where, at certain times of the year, the temperature difference between outside air and room temperature is sizable and the cooling compressor  104  or the heater element  108  can run continuously for an extended period of time in order to reach the temperature set by the occupant. Often, the temperature set by the occupant is never reached, and the cooling compressor  104  runs non-stop throughout the day. In this situation, the energy conservation module  126  forces the cooling compressor  104  to power off temporarily for a few minutes, with the fan  114  continuing to run, anytime the cooling compressor  104  runs for approximately 15 continuous minutes. The fan  114  uses water condensed onto the evaporative coils to condition the air while the cooling compressor  104  is off. This results in a few minutes of almost energy free cooling. Finally, the water condensed on the coil is evaporated and the cooling compressor  104  re-starts automatically with the fan  114  running continuously throughout the process. 
     Furthermore, a bypass switch  112   a - b  overrides the energy savings function of powering off the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 , so as to maintain normal operation of the air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106  in the event of extreme outside air temperature or humidity conditions. 
     When automatically bypassing the energy savings power off function, at least one intelligently sensed event must occur and be detected by various sensors and the microprocessor in  126 . The intelligently sensed event may include, without limitation, detecting an ambient temperature, an ambient humidity, or both. Furthermore, the intelligently sensed event may also include: detecting the presence of a person in a room, detecting the presence of mobile phone signals in the room indicating occupant in the room, detecting body heat, detecting motion, detecting door lock positions of on or off, detecting television sounds, detecting the time of day, detecting television remote signals being used over a period of time, detecting noise from a door closing and opening. In this way, the energy saving power off function will not cause undue discomfort to the occupants. A typical application of the PTX is in hotel rooms and it is a confined conditioned space where the above-mentioned events are easy to sense. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that there are times when the outside air temperature is very hot during the summer, and forcing the compressor pause after 15 minutes for a few minutes, may not be suitable for the occupant. In such as case, the occupant can manually flip a bypass switch  112   a  to de-activate the cooling compressor  104  pause. During the winter when the outside air temperature maybe too cold, and forcing the heater pause after 15 minutes for a few minutes may not be suitable for the occupant. In such a case, the occupant can manually flip a bypass switch  112   b  to de-activate the heat exchanger  108  pause. 
     In other embodiments, the bypass switch  112   a - b  can be switched on or off by sensing the outside air temperature using a temperature and/or humidity sensor mounted outside the building or getting the temperature of the outside air from weather forecast from the Wi-Fi reception the air conditioning and heating unit. The bypass switch  112   a - b  can also be switched on or off remotely using radio frequency signal or Zig bee or Wi-Fi controls managed by the hotel management. In this manner, the apparatus  100  helps improve the efficiency by delivering additional heating or cooling capacity for a reduced amount of additional electric energy (kWh). The apparatus  100  also extends the service life of the equipment through greater efficiency and fewer cycles. 
     As referenced in  FIG. 3 , the method  200  of operating an intelligent air conditioning and heating system, comprises an initial Step  202  of installing a thermostat in the ambient air to wirelessly transmit temperature data to an energy conservation module that is in communication with an air conditioning unit and a heating unit. The air conditioning unit  102  comprising a cooling compressor  104 , and a heating unit  106  comprising a heat exchanger  108 . These units  102 ,  106  works to remove or add heat from/to a space, thus cooling or heating the space&#39;s average temperature. The thermostat detects the temperature. 
     A Step  204  may include configuring the energy saving unit to perform a set of functions. The energy conservation module  126  powers off the air conditioning and heating unit  102 ,  106  after the thermostat  110  reaches a predetermined temperature or an operational duration, such as 15 minutes. By temporarily powering off the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 , energy is saved and the life span of the air conditioning and heating units  102 , 106  are extended. 
     In some embodiments, a Step  206  comprises setting a predetermined temperature for ambient air. This temperature is derived from the thermostat set temperature as selected by the user. A Step  208  may include sensing the temperature of the ambient air that is being heated or cooled. A further Step  210  includes powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger for a predetermined non-operational duration when the predetermined ambient temperature or an operational duration is reached. The step of powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger may be actuated remotely through Bluetooth technology, radio frequency signals, Wi-Fi controls, or ZigBee. 
     A Step  212  includes activating the blower fan to blow air against the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after powering off the heater or compressor. Air from the fan  114  blows on the condensate from the cooling compressor  104  to produce cool air without requiring the cooling compressor  104  to be operational for at least 3 minutes. Similarly, air from the fan  114  blows on the dissipating heat from the heat exchanger  108  to produce warm air without requiring the heat exchanger  108  to be operational, also for at least 3 minutes. In another embodiment, an alternative step includes operating the fan for a variable period of time if the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger power off before the operational duration is complete. 
     The method  200  may also include a Step  214  of powering on the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger after the predetermined non-operational duration. After the non-operational duration of about 3 minutes, the cooling compressor or heat exchanger power back on, and the fan continues blowing. A Step  216  comprises manually bypassing, with at least one bypass switch, the step of powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger. The bypass switch  112   a - b  overrides the function of powering off the cooling compressor  104  or heat exchanger  108 , so as to maintain normal operation of the air conditioning and heating units  102 ,  106  due to extreme temperature or humidity conditions. 
     A Step  218  comprises automatically bypassing, with the at least one bypass switch, the step of powering off the cooling compressor or the heat exchanger when detecting at least one intelligently sensed event. The intelligently sensed event may include, without limitation, detecting a temperature, such as 72° Fahrenheit, for example. The intelligently sensed event may also include detecting body heat with an infrared heat detector, so as to bypass the powering off of the cooling compressor when persons are present in a room, for example. 
     These and other advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
     Because many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalence.