SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING USE OF PLUG-IN AIR CONDITIONERS AND PORTABLE HEATERS
First Claim
1. A system for controlling plug-in air conditioners and heaters comprising:
- at least one load control device at a first location comprising a microprocessor, the load control device configured to connect to a first electrical outlet and to connect to a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, the load control device further configured to control whether the plug-in air conditioner or the portable heater is “
on”
or “
off”
, and wherein said microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network;
one or more processors remotely located from the load control device that receive temperature measurements from said first location;
one or more databases that store at least said temperature measurements obtained from said first location; and
where said load control device is located inside the space conditioned by said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, and wherein said microprocessor in said load control device receives at least one operational instruction from said one or more processors via said network instructing the load control device to disconnect power to said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater; and
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Accused Products
Abstract
Thermostatic HVAC and other energy management controls that are connected to a computer network. For instance, remotely managed load switches incorporating thermostatic controllers inform an energy management system, to provide enhanced efficiency, and to verify demand response with plug-in air conditioners and heaters. At least one load control device at a first location comprises a temperature sensor and a microprocessor. The load control device is configured to connect or disconnect electrical power to the an attached air conditioner or heater, and the microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network. In addition, the load control device is physically separate from an air conditioner or heater but located inside the space conditioned by the air conditioner or heater.
154 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for controlling plug-in air conditioners and heaters comprising:
-
at least one load control device at a first location comprising a microprocessor, the load control device configured to connect to a first electrical outlet and to connect to a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, the load control device further configured to control whether the plug-in air conditioner or the portable heater is “
on”
or “
off”
, and wherein said microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network;one or more processors remotely located from the load control device that receive temperature measurements from said first location; one or more databases that store at least said temperature measurements obtained from said first location; and where said load control device is located inside the space conditioned by said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, and wherein said microprocessor in said load control device receives at least one operational instruction from said one or more processors via said network instructing the load control device to disconnect power to said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater; and - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An apparatus for controlling a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater comprising:
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a load control device comprising a temperature sensor and a microprocessor, said load control device configured to connect to a first electrical outlet and to connect to a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, the load control device further configured to control whether a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater is “
on”
or “
off”
, and wherein said microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network;a server capable of receiving messages from and sending messages to said load control device; and where said load control device receives at least one operational instruction from said server via said network instructing the load control device to disconnect power to said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater; and - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification