Thermostat load reduction based on percentage change in energy price
First Claim
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1. A thermostat for curtailing air conditioner load when energy price rate is high, comprising:
- a receiver device configured to receive a signal that includes an energy price rate for a given time period;
an electronic memory device in which one or more energy price rates received by the receiver device are stored; and
a microprocessor in communication with the receiver device and electronic memory, and configured to control operation of an air conditioner system to maintain a set point temperature for a space, the microprocessor including a memory encoded with an instruction operable to select from said one or more energy price rates the lowest energy price rate received within a given time period for establishing a base energy price rate, and further encoded with an instruction operable to determine if the energy price rate for a present time period exceeds the base energy price rate by more than a first percentage of the base energy price rate,wherein the microprocessor is configured to respond to an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage by selecting a first temperature offset corresponding to the first percentage and increasing the set point temperature by the first temperature offset.
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Abstract
A thermostat capable of receiving signals transmitted by a utility provider communicating a usage rate schedule or a request for a load curtailment period, and controlling one or more systems based on the information communicated by the utility. The thermostat changes the set point for each system to the stored predetermined control set point corresponding to the current usage rate schedule period or the curtailment mode period when requested. The thermostat is further capable of discontinuing operation of one or more systems for a minimum predetermined time period following a request for a load curtailment period.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A thermostat for curtailing air conditioner load when energy price rate is high, comprising:
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a receiver device configured to receive a signal that includes an energy price rate for a given time period; an electronic memory device in which one or more energy price rates received by the receiver device are stored; and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver device and electronic memory, and configured to control operation of an air conditioner system to maintain a set point temperature for a space, the microprocessor including a memory encoded with an instruction operable to select from said one or more energy price rates the lowest energy price rate received within a given time period for establishing a base energy price rate, and further encoded with an instruction operable to determine if the energy price rate for a present time period exceeds the base energy price rate by more than a first percentage of the base energy price rate, wherein the microprocessor is configured to respond to an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage by selecting a first temperature offset corresponding to the first percentage and increasing the set point temperature by the first temperature offset. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A thermostat for curtailing air conditioner load when energy price rate is high, comprising:
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a receiver device configured to receive a signal wirelessly transmitted by a utility meter that includes an energy price rate for a given time period; an electronic memory device in which one or more energy price rates received by the receiver device are stored; and a microprocessor in communication with the receiver device and the electronic memory, and configured to control operation of an air conditioner system to maintain a set point temperature for a space, the microprocessor including a memory encoded with an instruction operable to select from said one or more energy price rates the lowest energy price rate received within a 24 hour period for establishing a base energy price rate, and further encoded with an instruction operable to determine if the energy price rate for a present time period exceeds the base energy price rate by more than a first percentage of the base energy price rate, wherein the microprocessor is configured to respond to an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage by selecting a first temperature offset corresponding to the first percentage and increasing the set point temperature by the first temperature offset; and a display device configured to display the first temperature offset, and to display the first percentage to provide an easily discernable cost impact associated with an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage so that the user would be able to determine how an override of the temperature offset to the set point temperature would affect the user'"'"'s energy costs. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of using a thermostat to curtail an air conditioner load when energy price rate is high, the method comprising:
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receiving a signal wirelessly transmitted by a utility meter that includes an energy price rate for a given time period; storing one or more energy price rates received by the receiver device in an electronic memory; selecting from said one or more energy price rates, using a microprocessor in communication with the electronic memory, the lowest energy price rate received within a 24 hour period for establishing a base energy price rate; determining, using the microprocessor, if the energy price rate for a present time period exceeds the base energy price rate by more than a first percentage of the base energy price rate, responding to an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage by selecting, using the microprocessor, a first temperature offset corresponding to the first percentage and increasing a set point temperature by the first temperature offset to thereby reduce air conditioner energy consumption; and displaying on a display device the first percentage to provide an easily discernable cost impact associated with an energy price rate that exceeds the base energy price rate by more than the first percentage so that the user would be able to determine how an override of the temperature offset to the set point temperature would affect the user'"'"'s energy costs.
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Specification