Apparatus and method for fresh air cooling of a residence or building

A fresh air cooling and ventilator (FACV) system configured to controllably couple to a thermostat, wherein the thermostat has a wall plate secured to a wall, wherein the wall plate has a plurality of wall plate terminals that are disposed on an outside surface of the wall plate, wherein the wall plate terminals connect to control wires that are communicatively coupled to an air handling unit, wherein the thermostat has a cover plate with a thermostat controller therein, wherein the thermostat controller has a plurality of controller connecting terminals on an inside surface of the cover plate that each have a location matching a location of each one of a corresponding one of the wall plate terminals, and wherein the cover plate secures to the wall plate using a cover plate securing means on the inside surface of the cover plate that releasably couples to a wall plate securing means on the outside surface of the wall plate, the FACV system comprising:

• an interface member defined by a proximal portion and a distal portion,
• wherein the proximal portion of the interface member is disposed between the outside surface of the wall plate and inside surface of the cover plate when the FACV system is installed to the thermostat, and
• wherein the distal portion of the interface member extends outwardly from a side of the thermostat when the FACV system is installed to the thermostat;
• a plurality of input connectors disposed on a first side of the proximal portion of the interface member,
• wherein a location of each one of the plurality of input connectors corresponds to the location of a corresponding one of the plurality of controller connecting terminals of the thermostat controller, and
• wherein each one of the plurality of controller connecting terminals has a predefined function associated with control of a remote air-handling unit;
• a plurality of output connectors disposed on a second side of the proximal portion of the interface member,
• wherein the first side of the interface member opposes the second side of the interface member, and
• wherein a location of each one of the plurality of output connectors corresponds to a location of a corresponding one of a plurality of faceplate terminals of the thermostat controller system;
• a plurality of switches,
• wherein each one of the switches is connected between one of the plurality of input connectors and a corresponding one of the plurality of output connectors;
• a microcontroller controllably coupled to each one of the plurality of switches;
• a first securing means located on the second side of the proximal portion of the interface member,
• wherein the first securing means couples to the wall plate securing means when the FACV system is installed to the thermostat so that the plurality of wall plate terminals are in electrical contact with the plurality of output connectors;
• and
• a second securing means located on the first side of the proximal portion of the interface member,
• wherein the second securing means couples to the cover plate securing means when the FACV system is installed to the thermostat so that the plurality of controller connecting terminals are in electrical contact with the plurality of input connectors,
• wherein in response to the thermostat controller system operating during a heating period, the plurality of switches are closed by the microcontroller such that the thermostat controller system controls an operation of the remote air-handling unit that heats air provided to occupied quarters,
• wherein in response to the thermostat controller system operating during a fresh air cooling period, the plurality of switches are opened by the microcontroller such that the thermostat controller system no longer controls the operation of the remote air-handling unit, and
• wherein the microcontroller operates a remote fan to draw the outside air into the occupied quarters during at least a portion of the fresh air cooling period.