Demand ventilation module

A method for installing a retrofit demand ventilation module on a return portion of an existing heating, ventilating, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) system, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing the demand ventilation module configured to be coupled to the return portion of the HVAC/R system and capable of drawing and regulating outside air into the HVAC/R system and into inside space of a structure by way of an air pressure differential between return air and the outside air in direct proportion to actual realtime carbon dioxide (CO2) demand for ventilation;
• evaluating the return portion of the HVAC/R system to ascertain return air negative static pressure;
• determining where to install the demand ventilation module on the return portion of the HVAC/R system based upon a location corresponding with a range of return air negative static pressure;
• and
• installing the demand ventilation module at the predetermined location on the return portion of the HVAC/R system.

A method for ventilating inside space of a structure comprising the steps of:

• activating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC/R) fan and an actuator for automatically shifting an integrated damper, the damper located in an inner chamber of a housing with an air outlet and at least one outside air inlet that may be configured to be coupled to a return portion of an HVAC/R system, upon receiving an appropriate stimulus, to any position in a damper stroke range between a minimum airflow position and a maximum airflow position and in direct proportion to actual real-time condition carbon dioxide (CO2) condition demand, thereby drawing and regulating outside air into the HVAC/R system and into the inside space by way of an air pressure differential between return air and the outside air, and thereby allowing the inside air conditions to be equilibrated with the outside air conditions;
• whereupon
• causing at least one inside CO2 sensor to sense the inside equilibrated CO2 conditions and transmit CO2 condition stimulus dependent thereon to an electronic control device capable of setting and storing a pre-set minimum absolute CO2 condition set-point for ventilation activation, the electronic control device communicationally connected to the actuator for controlling the activation thereof, and the electronic control device also communicationally connected to the at least one inside CO2 sensor for controlling the activation thereof and receiving stimulus therefrom;
• setting and storing the pre-set minimum absolute CO2 condition set-point for ventilation activation;
• causing the at least one inside CO2 sensor to sense the inside CO2 conditions and transmit CO2 condition stimulus dependent thereon;
• comparing the pre-set minimum absolute CO2 condition set-point for ventilation activation to an applicable sensed inside CO2 condition;
• and
• activating the actuator to cause the transport of outside air into the inside space if the sensed inside CO2 condition may be greater than the pre-set minimum absolute CO2 air condition set-point, thereby diluting inside CO2 conditions and maintaining the inside space at the pre-set minimum absolute CO2 condition set-point.