HVAC filter monitoring
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
- estimating a performance of an HVAC system, wherein estimating includes using data received from one or more sensors of the HVAC system;
determining an efficiency of an air filter of the HVAC system using the estimated performance of the HVAC system, wherein the efficiency of the air filter is less than the efficiency of a new air filter;
estimating a time to reach a setpoint temperature based on the efficiency of the air filter;
estimating a cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter based on the time to reach the setpoint temperature;
generating a visual icon for a display on an electronic display of a thermostat device, wherein the visual icon provides an indication of the estimated cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter; and
displaying the visual icon on the electronic display of the thermostat device.
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Abstract
A method is described for identifying faults relating to an HVAC system, such a clogged filter. Sensor data is used to estimate HVAC system efficiency. Trends in system efficiency are then used to identify faults such as clogged filters. The sensor(s) can include one or more of the following types: optical sensor, temperature sensor, pressure sensor, acoustic transducer, humidity sensor, resistive sensor, capacitive sensor, and infrared sensor. The efficiency estimation can also be based on conditions external to the building, such as data from exterior sensors and/or data gathered from third parties such as government or private weather stations. The efficiency estimation can also be based on performance metrics such as the time used to reach a set point temperature. The fault identification includes filtering out non-fault related events.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
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estimating a performance of an HVAC system, wherein estimating includes using data received from one or more sensors of the HVAC system; determining an efficiency of an air filter of the HVAC system using the estimated performance of the HVAC system, wherein the efficiency of the air filter is less than the efficiency of a new air filter; estimating a time to reach a setpoint temperature based on the efficiency of the air filter; estimating a cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter based on the time to reach the setpoint temperature; generating a visual icon for a display on an electronic display of a thermostat device, wherein the visual icon provides an indication of the estimated cost associated with the efficiency of the air filter; and displaying the visual icon on the electronic display of the thermostat device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification