Air condition management apparatus, system, and method

An air conditioner system comprising a controller and an air conditioner configured to provide cooling to a space, the controller configured to:

• obtain a first value of a performance variable from the air conditioner;
• estimate a total cost including an operation cost, a maintenance cost, and a renewal cost of the air conditioner, based on the first value of the performance variable received from the air conditioner and a second value of the performance variable estimated based on an operational model of the air conditioner, wherein the total cost is a total cost of operating, renewing, and maintaining the air conditioner for a time period after a time at which the first performance value is received;
• generate a control signal of the air conditioner based on the first value of the performance variable and the second value of the performance variable;
• cause the air conditioner to operate in accordance with the control signal;
• and
• output the total cost via a user interface.

A method for managing an air conditioner, the method comprising:

• obtaining a first value of a performance variable from a predetermined device of the air conditioner;
• estimating a second value of the performance variable of the predetermined device based on an operational model of the predetermined device;
• determining a degradation rate of the air conditioner based on a difference between the first value of the performance variable and the second value of the performance variable;
• determining a control signal for the predetermined device which minimizes the power consumption of the air conditioner;
• controlling the predetermined device of the air conditioner to operate according to the control signal;
• determining a total cost of the air conditioner over a time period, wherein the total cost comprises an operation cost, a maintenance cost, and a renewal cost;
• and
• outputting the total cost of the air conditioner over the time period to a user.