Energy saving thermostat with a variable deadband
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling a thermostat, comprising the steps of:
- providing the thermostat with a first deadband;
providing the thermostat with a second deadband which is wider than said first deadband; and
switching the thermostat between the first deadband and said second deadband, wherein said thermostat is switched to said first deadband during peak heating periods and peak cooling periods.
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Abstract
An apparatus for, and a method of, reducing cycling of heating and cooling systems by varying the deadband of a thermostat. The deadband is varied such that it does not impact human comfort significantly. The deadband is kept narrow (at its current normal value) during peak heating/cooling period, while it is made wider during periods of non-occupancy, shoulder months with low heating/cooling requirements, and set-back periods. The variation of deadband can be based on an internal clock/calender, an outdoor temperature sensor or a combination of both. The apparatus may be an electronic thermostat which may be programmable.
136 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for controlling a thermostat, comprising the steps of:
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providing the thermostat with a first deadband;
providing the thermostat with a second deadband which is wider than said first deadband; and
switching the thermostat between the first deadband and said second deadband, wherein said thermostat is switched to said first deadband during peak heating periods and peak cooling periods. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for controlling a thermostat, comprising the steps of:
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providing the thermostat with a variable deadband; and
varying the variable deadband based on at least one of (a) a predetermined condition, and (b) a sensed condition, wherein said variable deadband is decreased in width during peak heating periods and peak cooling periods. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A thermostat for providing a first on-state signal at a first temperature and a second off-state signal at a second temperature, said thermostat comprising:
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a first setting device for setting the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to a first deadband value;
a second setting device for setting the difference between the first temperature and the second temperature to a second deadband value greater than the first deadband value; and
a control device for selectively switching between said first and second setting device, wherein said control device switches to said first setting device during peak heating periods and peak cooling periods. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermostat for providing a first on-state signal at a first temperature and a second off-state signal at second temperature, said thermostat at comprising:
- a varaiable deadband; and
, a control device for varying the difference between said first temperature and said second temperature to form said variable deadband as a function of at least one of;
(a) a predetermined condition value and (b) a sensed condition value, wherein said control device decreases said variable deadband value during peak heating periods and peak cooling periods. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
- a varaiable deadband; and
Specification