System and method for energy use control in an environmental control system

A method in an interface control device for a control system that provides control instruction to environmental adjustment equipment, the method comprising:

• receiving user input via an input section in the interface control device;
• causing an output indication section to simultaneously display:
• a first operating mode selection for use during a timed period of an operating sequence comprising the timed period followed by an untimed period,
• wherein the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection for the operating sequence is activated at an unscheduled clock time and is one of a first plurality of selectable operating modes for use during the timed period, and each of the selectable operating modes of the first plurality, when activated, provides regulated temperature of the same seasonal mode for an area or zone, wherein the seasonal mode is heating or cooling;
• wherein in response to activating at an unscheduled clock time the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection, the selected operating mode, once activated at the unscheduled clock time, is in the activated state for a predetermined amount of time, the amount of the predetermined amount of time determined prior to receiving user input indicating that the selected operating mode is to be activated;
• and
• wherein the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection, when activated at the unscheduled time, is a different operating mode of the first plurality of selectable operating modes than the operating mode in the activated state when the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection is activated in order to change which operating mode is in the activated state;
• a second operating mode selection for use during the untimed period of the operating sequence, wherein the selected operating mode of the second operating mode selection is one of a second plurality of selectable operating modes for use during the untimed period, the displayed second operating mode selection indicates which one of the second plurality of selectable operating modes is for use when the timed period ends, and each of the selectable operating modes of the second plurality, when activated, provides regulated temperature of the same seasonal mode for an area or zone, wherein the seasonal mode is heating or cooling;
• and
• a predetermined timed period length in the form of a duration or an ending clock time that indicates when the timed period is to end and the untimed period is to begin;
• and
• providing instructions to a controller that instructs the environmental adjustment equipment to operate in a manner consistent with the operating mode selections for the timed period and the untimed period, and the predetermined timed period.

A method in an interface control device for a control system that provides control instruction to environmental adjustment equipment, the method comprising:

• receiving via an input section on the interface control device an indication to change to a mode of operating comprising a timed period and an untimed period when a first input device is actuated;
• retrieving predetermined parameters for the mode of operating;
• simultaneously displaying via an output indication section on the interface control device:
• a first operating mode selection for use during a timed period of an operating sequence comprising the timed period followed by an untimed period,
• wherein the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection for the operating sequence is activated at an unscheduled clock time and is one of a first plurality of selectable operating modes for use during the timed period, and each of the selectable operating modes of the first plurality, when activated, provides regulated temperature of the same seasonal mode for an area or zone, wherein the seasonal mode is heating or cooling;
• wherein in response to activating at an unscheduled clock time the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection, the selected operating mode, once activated at the unscheduled clock time, is in the activated state for a predetermined amount of time, the amount of the predetermined amount of time determined prior to receiving user input indicating that the selected operating mode is to be activated;
• and
• wherein the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection, when activated at the unscheduled time, is a different operating mode of the first plurality of selectable operating modes than the operating mode in the activated state when the selected operating mode of the first operating mode selection is activated in order to change which operating mode is in the activated state;
• a second operating mode selection for use during the untimed period of the operating sequence, wherein the selected operating mode of the second operating mode selection is one of a second plurality of selectable operating modes for use during the untimed period, the displayed second operating mode selection indicates which one of the second plurality of selectable operating modes is for use when the timed period ends, and each of the selectable operating modes of the second plurality, when activated, provides regulated temperature of the same seasonal mode for an area or zone, wherein the seasonal mode is heating or cooling;
• and
• a predetermined timed period length in the form of a duration or an ending clock time that indicates when the timed period is to end and the untimed period is to begin;
• and
• providing instructions for commanding the environmental adjustment equipment to operate in a manner consistent with the predetermined parameters for both the timed period and the untimed period, when operating parameter changes have not been entered.