Shipping and installation for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

A method of installing a zone-control unit for use in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• engaging a handle of the zone-control unit, the zone-control unit comprising a casing, a coil disposed within the casing, an inlet piping assembly coupled with the coil for supplying liquid or gas to the coil, an outlet piping assembly coupled with the coil for receiving liquid or gas from the coil, a handle that maintains the casing, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship, and a damper assembly controller coupled with the casing, the damper assembly controller configured to receive a signal from a thermostat or a room sensor;
• maneuvering the handle so as to position the zone-control unit in a desired location and orientation;
• coupling the inlet piping assembly with piping of the HVAC system;
• and
• coupling the outlet piping assembly with piping of the HVAC system.

A method of preparing a zone-control unit for delivery to a construction site for installation in a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system, the method comprising:

• coupling a coil with an inlet piping assembly and an outlet piping assembly;
• placing the coil within a casing, wherein at least a portion of the inlet in assembly and at least a portion of the outlet piping assembly are disposed exterior to the casing;
• coupling a handle with the casing, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly so as to maintain the casing, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly in positional relationship, wherein at least a portion of the handle is disposed exterior to the casing;
• coupling a damper assembly controller with the casing;
• sealing the inlet piping assembly and the outlet piping assembly;
• and
• pressurizing the coil, the inlet piping assembly, and the outlet piping assembly.

A zone-control unit adapted for inclusion in ductwork of a hydronic heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system of a building, the zone-control unit comprising:

• a. a mechanical terminal unit through which air flows during operation of a HVAC system, the mechanical terminal unit including
• i. a casing having:
• 1) an inlet for receiving air from ductwork of a HVAC system;
• and
• 2) an outlet for supplying air to a space in a building;
• ii. a coil through which air from ductwork passes upon entering the casing and before leaving the casing;
• b. an inlet piping assembly that is:
• i. connected to the coil of the mechanical terminal unit;
• ii. at least partially disposed exterior to the casing;
• and
• iii. has an end, separated from the connection to the coil, which is adapted for receiving water from plumbing of the HVAC system which the inlet piping assembly supplies to the coil;
• c. an outlet piping assembly that is:
• i. connected to the coil of the mechanical terminal unit for receiving water therefrom;
• ii. at least partially disposed exterior to the casing;
• and
• iii. has an end, separated from the connection to the coil, which is adapted for supplying water, received from the coil, to plumbing of the HVAC system;
• and
• d. a structure, having at least one handle, that mechanically couples together:
• i. the mechanical terminal unit;
• ii. the inlet piping assembly;
• and
• iii. the outlet piping assembly;
• whereby the zone-control unit may be conveniently and safely handled both during:
• i. shipping;
• and
• ii. installation into a HVAC system, and
• wherein at least a portion of the handle is disposed exterior to the casing.