CONTROL UNIT WITH AUTOMATIC SETBACK CAPABILITY
First Claim
1. A method for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure comprising:
- controlling temperature within the conditioned space according to a first setpoint, the first setpoint being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable when one or more persons are occupying the conditioned space;
receiving data reflecting one or more occupancy sensors adapted to detect occupancy within the conditioned enclosure; and
automatically changing the setpoint temperature to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the second setpoint requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the first setpoint.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure such as a dwelling are described that include an “auto-away” and/or “auto-arrival” feature for detecting unexpected absences which provide opportunities for significant energy savings through automatic adjustment of the setpoint temperature. According to some preferred embodiments, when no occupancy has been detected for a minimum time interval, an “auto-away” feature triggers a changes of the state of the enclosure, and the actual operating setpoint temperature is changed to a predetermined energy-saving away-state temperature, regardless of the setpoint temperature indicated by the normal thermostat schedule. The purpose of the “auto away” feature is to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling when there are no occupants present to actually experience or enjoy the comfort settings of the schedule, thereby saving energy.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure comprising:
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controlling temperature within the conditioned space according to a first setpoint, the first setpoint being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable when one or more persons are occupying the conditioned space; receiving data reflecting one or more occupancy sensors adapted to detect occupancy within the conditioned enclosure; and automatically changing the setpoint temperature to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the second setpoint requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the first setpoint. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A programmable thermostat for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure, the thermostat comprising:
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one or more occupancy sensors adapted to detect occupancy within the conditioned enclosure; and a processing system adapted and programmed to control temperature within the conditioned space according to a first setpoint, the first setpoint being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable when one or more persons are occupying the conditioned space, and to automatically change the setpoint temperature to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which time occupancy is unlikely based at least in part on the one or more occupancy sensors. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A method for controlling temperature in a conditioned enclosure comprising:
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controlling temperature within the conditioned space according to a first setpoint, the first setpoint being from a preexisting schedule and representing a temperature suitable when one or more persons are occupying the conditioned space; receiving data reflecting one or more occupancy sensors adapted to detect occupancy within the conditioned enclosure; automatically changing the setpoint temperature to a second setpoint upon expiration of a predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, the second setpoint requiring substantially less energy to maintain than the first setpoint; and automatically changing the setpoint temperature to a third setpoint upon expiration of a second predetermined time interval during which no occupancy has been detected, wherein the second time interval is substantially longer than the first time interval, and wherein the first time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the first time interval is likely to reflect an intra day non-occupancy period in the conditioned enclosure and the second time interval is selected such that non-occupancy during the second time interval is likely to reflect a interday non-occupancy period in the conditioned enclosure.
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Specification