Systems and methods for automated diagnostics of HVAC systems

A method for automatically performing two or more diagnostic modes for a controller associated with a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, comprising:

• determining, via a processor of the controller, a first expected value range for a first operating parameter of a first component of the HVAC system, wherein the first component is associated with ductwork of the HVAC system, and wherein the first operating parameter is a pressure value associated with the ductwork;
• receiving, via a communication component of the controller, a first signal from a first sensor indicative of a first current value of the first operating parameter of the first component;
• determining, via the processor, that the first current value of the first operating parameter is outside the first expected value range;
• based on the determination that the first current value is outside the first expected value range, automatically initiating, via the processor, a first diagnostic mode of the two or more diagnostic modes of the controller;
• in the first diagnostic mode, collecting, via the communication component, diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system at a first frequency;
• determining, via the processor of the controller, a second expected value range for a second operating parameter of a second component of the HVAC system, wherein the second component is a heat exchanger of the HVAC system, and wherein the second operating parameter is a temperature of a working fluid through the heat exchanger;
• receiving, via the communication component of the controller, a second signal from a second sensor indicative of a second current value of the second operating parameter of the second component;
• determining, via the processor, that the second current value of the second operating parameter is outside the second expected value range;
• based on the determination that the second current value is outside the second expected value range, automatically initiating, via the processor, a second diagnostic mode of the two or more diagnostic modes of the controller;
• and
• in the second diagnostic mode, collecting, via the communication component, additional diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system at a second frequency, wherein the second diagnostic mode is different than the first diagnostic mode at least in that the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing processor-executable instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processor of a controller, cause the processor to:

• determine a plurality of expected value ranges for a plurality of operating parameters of a plurality of components of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system;
• receive, via a communication component of the controller, a plurality of signals from one or more sensors indicative of a plurality of current values of the plurality of operating parameters of the plurality of components at a first frequency;
• determine if one or more current values of the plurality of current values of the plurality of operating parameters is outside one or more expected value ranges of the plurality of expected value ranges;
• based on a first determination that only a single current value of the one or more current values is outside the one or more expected value ranges, automatically initiate a first diagnostic mode of the controller;
• based on a second determination that more than one current value of the one or more current values is outside the one or more expected value ranges, automatically initiate a second diagnostic mode of the controller;
• in the first diagnostic mode, collect, via the communication component, diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system at a second frequency;
• and
• in the second diagnostic mode, collect, via the communication component, additional diagnostic data associated with the HVAC system at a third frequency, wherein the second frequency and the third frequency are greater than the first frequency, and wherein the second diagnostic mode differs from the first diagnostic mode at least in that the third frequency is greater than the second frequency.