Hvac control system encouraging energy efficient user behaviors in plural interactive contexts

A method of encouraging responsible energy usage of an HVAC system via a portable electronic device, the HVAC system being configured to condition an enclosure based on a setpoint temperature of a thermostat, the method comprising:

• receiving setpoint temperatures of the thermostat over a period of time to establish a historical temperature setting behavior of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure;
• determining a responsible temperature setting criterion based at least in part on said historical temperature setting behavior, said responsible temperature setting criterion corresponding to an efficient energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure;
• receiving, via the portable electronic device and over a network, information representative of said responsible temperature setting criterion;
• receiving, via the portable electronic device, input from a user of an adjustment of the setpoint temperature of the thermostat;
• determining, via the portable electronic device, that the adjustment of the setpoint temperature is representative of an environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure, said determination being based at least in part on said information representative of said responsible temperature setting criterion and said determination being made without requiring real-time communication with said thermostat;
• sending information of said adjustment of the setpoint temperature to the thermostat in order to control the HVAC system to condition the enclosure in accordance with said adjustment of the setpoint temperature;
• and
• displaying a visual icon on an electronic display of the portable electronic device to signal the environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system.

A system for efficient HVAC control comprising:

• an HVAC control device that is configured to control an HVAC system based on a setpoint temperature to condition an enclosure, the HVAC system being operable with software that is configured to:
• receive setpoint temperatures of the HVAC control device over a period of time to establish a historical temperature setting behavior of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure;
• and
• determine a responsible temperature setting criterion based at least in part on said historical temperature setting behavior, said responsible temperature setting criterion corresponding to an efficient energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure;
• said HVAC control device being remotely controllable by a portable electronic device having software that is configured to:
• receive information over a network representative of said responsible temperature setting criterion;
• receiving input from a user of an adjustment of the setpoint temperature of the HVAC control device;
• determine that the adjustment of the setpoint temperature is representative of an environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system in conditioning the enclosure, said determination being based at least in part on said information representative of said responsible temperature setting criterion and said determination being made without requiring real-time communication with said HVAC control device;
• send information of said adjustment of the setpoint temperature to the HVAC control device in order to control the HVAC system to condition the enclosure in accordance with said adjustment of the setpoint temperature;
• and
• display a visual icon to the user to signal the environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system.

A portable electronic device comprising:

• an electronic display;
• a communication component for communicating information with external devices and systems;
• and
• a processor, said processor being configured to:
• receive, via the communication component, information over a network that is representative of a responsible temperature setting criterion of an HVAC system, said responsible temperature setting criterion corresponding to an efficient energy usage of the HVAC system in conditioning an enclosure;
• receive input from a user of an adjustment of a setpoint temperature of a control device of the HVAC system;
• determine that the adjustment of the setpoint temperature is representative of an environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system, said determination being based at least in part on said information representative of said responsible temperature setting criterion and said determination being made without requiring real-time communication with said HVAC system;
• send, via the communication component, information of said adjustment of the setpoint temperature to the control device of the HVAC system in order to control the HVAC system to condition the enclosure in accordance with said adjustment of the setpoint temperature;
• and
• display a visual icon in real time to the user on said electronic display to signal the environmentally responsible usage of the HVAC system.