Patent ID: 8112181

Claim:
An apparatus for automatically controlling environmental conditions, comprising: an enclosed structure having at least two zones for automatic environmental condition control; a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system incorporated into the structure, wherein each zone includes separate controls, wherein air flow into and out of each zone is separately controlled, with a separate intake, vent, damper, thermostat and humidistat for each zone, wherein temperature and humidity are each separately controllable for each zone; a controller in communication with the HVAC system for controlling the HVAC system and for controlling the damper for each zone, the controller having a MoldGuard function and a map comprising a plurality of relative humidity and temperature combinations and one or more actions for automatic execution based on the combinations of temperature and humidity; a temperature sensor in each zone attached to the controller, for determining a current temperature in each zone; a relative humidity sensor in each zone attached to the controller; and an indicator array/interface panel attached to the controller, wherein the HVAC system determines if the MoldGuard function is enabled, determines a first temperature difference between the current temperature and 89° F. (ΔT 89 ), determines a second temperature difference between the current temperature and 74° F. (ΔT 74 ), determines if the first temperature difference (ΔT 89 ) is greater than the second temperature difference (ΔT 74 ), wherein when the first temperature difference (ΔT 89 ) is greater than the second temperature difference (ΔT 74 ), turning on a cooling system; and when the first temperature difference (ΔT 89 ) is not greater than the second temperature difference (ΔT 74 ), turning on a heating system, wherein the apparatus provides for the automatic elimination of environmental conditions favorable to mold and fungus growth for each zone individually.