System and method for using a network of thermostats as tool to verify peak demand reduction

• US 8,412,488 B2
• Filed: 03/01/2012
• Issued: 04/02/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Original Assignee: EcoFactor, Inc. (Trane Technologies plc)
• Inventors: Steinberg, John Douglas, Hublou, Scott Douglas
• Primary Examiner(s): KUNDU, SUJOY K
• Application Number:
  US13/409,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20120221294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 702/176, 702182-184, 700/276, 700/278, 236/1.C, 236/46.A, 236/46.R, 165/236, 165/239
• US Class Current: 702/182
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/62 characterised by the type of control or by internal processing, e.g. using fuzzy logic, adaptive control or estimation of values
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/63 Electronic processing
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/08 giving differences of values using thermoelectric elements G01K7/02; giving differentiated values
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 99/005 Testing of complete machines, e.g. washing-machines or mobile phones testing of machine parts G01M13/00; testing of electric apparatus or components G01R31/50
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 13/048 using a predictor
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1917 using digital means
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1923 using thermal energy, the cost of which varies in function of time

Abstract

The invention comprises systems and methods for estimating the rate of change in temperature inside a structure. At least one thermostat located is inside the structure and is used to control an climate control system in the structure. At least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostat and at least one database stores data reported by the thermostat. At least one processor compares the outside temperature at least one location and at least one point in time to information reported to the remote processor from the thermostat. The processor uses the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature to determine whether the climate control system is “on” or “off”.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the operational status of an HVAC system comprising:

at least one HVAC control system associated with a first structure that receives temperature measurements from at least a first structure conditioned by at least one HVAC system;

one or more processors that receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system,

wherein said one or more processors compares the inside temperature of said first structure and the outside temperature over time to derive an estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure in response to outside temperature, and

wherein said one or more processors compare an inside temperature recorded inside the first structure with said estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure to determine whether the first HVAC system is on or off.

2. A system as in claim 1 in which said one or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures for geographic regions such as ZIP codes from sources other than said HVAC system.

3. A system as in claim 1 in which said HVAC system is located within a single family dwelling.

4. A system as in claim 1 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat.

5. A system as in claim 1 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat that communicates with a mesh networking protocol.

6. A system as in claim 1 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat that communicates with a network.

7. A system as in claim 1 in which said one or more processors communicate with said HVAC system using a network that includes an electricity meter.

8. A system as in claim 1 in which said estimation is a prediction about the future rate of change in temperature inside said structure.

9. A method for monitoring the operation of an HVAC system comprising:

receiving temperature measurements from at least one HVAC control system associated with a first structure conditioned by at least one HVAC system;

receiving at one or more processors, measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system;

comparing with said one or more processors the inside temperature of said first structure and the outside temperature over time to derive an estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure in response to outside temperature, and

comparing with said one or more processors, an inside temperature recorded inside the first structure with said estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure to determine whether the first HVAC system is on or off.

10. A method as in claim 9 in which said one or more processors receive measurements of outside temperatures for geographic regions such as ZIP codes from sources other than said HVAC system.

11. A method as in claim 9 in which said HVAC system is located within a single family dwelling.

12. A method as in claim 9 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat.

13. A method as in claim 9 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat that communicates with a mesh networking protocol.

14. A method as in claim 9 in which said HVAC system comprises a programmable thermostat that communicates with a network.

15. A method as in claim 9 in which said one or more processors communicate with said HVAC system using a network that includes an electricity meter.

16. A method as in claim 9 in which said estimation is a prediction about the future rate of change in temperature inside said structure.