Apparatus and Method for Determining and Applying an Energy Savings to a Financial Transaction
First Claim
1. An apparatus for determining an energy savings and applying at least a portion of the savings to a financial transaction, the apparatus comprising:
- a metering module configured to receive signals representing usage of one or more of energy, temperature, flow, current, volume, and mass of at least one utility;
an analysis module configured to predetermine a baseline value and compare usage of the at least one utility to the predetermined value and determine a savings of energy; and
an execution module configured to apply at least a portion of the savings to a financial transaction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus, system, and method for determining and applying an energy savings to a financial transaction includes estimating and/or monitoring usage of utilities by detectors, comparing the usage to a predetermined baseline value, and valuating an energy savings. A portion of the savings may be applied to any of early repayment of a mortgage loan, investment in securities, and a request for a credit. The method enables issuance of mortgage loans for building projects that conserve or produce energy, where the loans may have terms that are similar or better than conventional mortgage loans. The method standardizes values of energy units and/or monetary units, and quantifies a savings. Thus, the method aids in qualifying the building project based on a particular amount of energy savings or a savings within a range. Thus, the method forms a bridge between green, other energy conserving, or sustainable technologies and the financial markets.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. An apparatus for determining an energy savings and applying at least a portion of the savings to a financial transaction, the apparatus comprising:
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a metering module configured to receive signals representing usage of one or more of energy, temperature, flow, current, volume, and mass of at least one utility; an analysis module configured to predetermine a baseline value and compare usage of the at least one utility to the predetermined value and determine a savings of energy; and an execution module configured to apply at least a portion of the savings to a financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for determining at least one of an incentive and a savings and applying the at least one of the incentive and the savings to a financial transaction, the method comprising:
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automatically determining at least one of an incentive and an energy savings; automatically applying at least a portion of the at least one of the incentive and the energy savings to a financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An article of manufacture comprising a computer program storage medium readable by a processor and embodying one or more instructions executable by a processor to perform a method for determining an energy savings and applying at least a portion of the savings or a credit to a financial transaction, the method comprising:
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determining at least one of an energy savings and a credit incentive according to the instructions; and applying at least a portion of at least one of the energy savings and the credit incentive to a financial transaction. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification