Energy usage estimation for climate control system
First Claim
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1. A method whereby an HVAC controller estimates a change in energy usage by an HVAC system controlled by the HVAC controller, the method comprising:
- maintaining a baseline energy usage for a current HVAC system setting;
changing the HVAC system setting in response to input from a user of the HVAC controller;
estimating a new energy usage for the changed HVAC system setting; and
displaying the estimated energy usage to the user.
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Abstract
An HVAC system controller which estimates the energy cost or savings incurred due to a user-instigated change in a climate control schedule. The HVAC system controller is adapted to operate a multi-zone climate control system in a building, and is especially adapted to operate a retrofit zone climate control system in a residence. The HVAC controller displays the estimated cost or savings to the homeowner, enabling him to make an informed decision about whether to keep the change in the climate control schedule.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method whereby an HVAC controller estimates a change in energy usage by an HVAC system controlled by the HVAC controller, the method comprising:
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maintaining a baseline energy usage for a current HVAC system setting;
changing the HVAC system setting in response to input from a user of the HVAC controller;
estimating a new energy usage for the changed HVAC system setting; and
displaying the estimated energy usage to the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An HVAC controller for operating at least one of a furnace, an air conditioner, and a heat pump of a building located in a local climate, the HVAC controller comprising:
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means for maintaining a schedule;
means whereby a user can make a change to the schedule;
means for operating the at least one of the furnace, air conditioner, and heat pump, in response to the schedule;
means, responsive to the change being made to the schedule, for estimating an energy cost/savings associated with the change; and
means for displaying the estimated energy cost/savings to the user. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method whereby an HVAC controller estimates energy usage of a building'"'"'s HVAC system under its control, the method comprising:
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maintaining a schedule of target temperature ranges;
operating the HVAC system to keep the building'"'"'s temperature within a current one of the target temperature ranges;
making a change to the schedule in response to user input;
estimating an energy cost/savings caused by the change; and
displaying the estimated energy cost/savings to the user. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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24. A method of estimating an energy usage cost/savings resulting from a change in a original schedule in an HVAC controller, the HVAC controller operating an HVAC system in a building having a plurality of rooms, the method comprising:
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for each day in the schedule, for each hour of that day in the schedule, for each of the rooms, accumulating energy usage by that room at that hour on that day;
comparing the accumulated energy usage to an energy usage that would have resulted from the original schedule to identify the energy usage cost/savings; and
displaying the energy usage cost/savings for a user of the HVAC controller. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification