SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING RAMPED SETPOINT TEMPERATURE VARIATION WITH NETWORKED THERMOSTATS TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY
First Claim
1. A method for controlling a thermostat for energy savings comprising:
- determining an existing setpoint;
automatically setting a first setpoint of a repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to the value of the existing setpoint;
determining a number of discrete setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints;
automatically setting subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to increments away from the first setpoint, where each successive setpoint is further from said first setpoint;
returning to the first setpoint after completing a last setpoint in said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints.
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Abstract
The invention comprises systems and methods for ramping setpoints on thermostats controlling HVAC systems. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostat and at least one database stores data reported by the thermostat. At least one processor compares the outside temperature at least one location and at least one point in time to information reported to the remote processor from the thermostat. The remote processor ramps the setpoint on the thermostat so as to reduce the average spread between inside temperature and outside temperature in order to reduce energy consumption with affecting comfort. The remote processor takes into account the effect of weather conditions and occupant preferences in determining whether and when to ramp setpoints.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a thermostat for energy savings comprising:
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determining an existing setpoint; automatically setting a first setpoint of a repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to the value of the existing setpoint; determining a number of discrete setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints; automatically setting subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to increments away from the first setpoint, where each successive setpoint is further from said first setpoint; returning to the first setpoint after completing a last setpoint in said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for automatically varying temperature setpoints for an HVAC system comprising:
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setting a first target inside temperature for a conditioned environment; setting at least a second target inside temperature for the conditioned environment, where said second target temperature differs from said first target temperature; automatically setting subsequent setpoints in the repeating sequence of discrete setpoints to increments away from the first setpoint, where each successive setpoint is further from said first setpoint; and cycling through said repeating sequence of discrete setpoints. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification