Hvac system with energy saving modes set using a security system control panel

An energy-conserving HVAC system for an occupancy, said system comprising:

• an HVAC system including at least one HVAC actuator, at least one sensor configured to sense temperature and humidity in at least one zone of the occupancy, and an HVAC controller in communication with said at least one HVAC actuator and said at least one sensor, said HVAC controller being configured to include a plurality of HVAC modes, each of said HVAC modes specifying that each of said at least one HVAC actuator is actuatable and deactuatable in response to particular HVAC sensor readings in said at least one zone of the occupancy;
• and
• a security system configured to provide security to the occupancy, said security system including a security control panel that is in direct communication with said HVAC controller,
• wherein said security system includes a plurality of security modes that are actuatable by an occupant via said security control panel, actuation of each of said plurality of security modes by said occupant resulting in an automatic actuation of at least one of said HVAC modes, said automatic actuation occurring without any action by said occupant beyond said actuation of one of said plurality of security modes,
• wherein said security control panel includes actuators dedicated solely to control of said security system and said HVAC system, control of said HVAC system being accomplished via communication between said security control panel and said HVAC controller, wherein said actuators are at least one of a plurality of buttons, switches, dials, and knobs, and
• wherein said HVAC system and said security system are retrofittable onto previously existing security and HVAC systems of the occupancy.