Thermal storage control logic for storage heaters

Abstract

A method for thermal storage using an apparatus including an outdoor temperature sensor and at least one indoor zone temperature sensor, includes the steps of: estimating an average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow by adding the average on-peak outdoor temperature for today to the current outdoor temperature minus the outdoor temperature at the same time yesterday; estimating the temperature difference in each zone between the outside on-peak temperature and the indoor on-peak temperature for that zone for tomorrow by subtracting the estimated average on-peak outdoor temperature for tomorrow from the average set point temperature in the respective zone for today; calculating the thermal charge by multiplying yesterday's actual off-peak charge by the estimated temperature difference in each zone divided by the average actual temperature in each zone for today's on-peak period; and charging the thermal storage system. The thermal charge is reduced by 50% if the zone sensor reads a temperature greater than 4.degree. F. above the set point. The charge is 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature falls below 40.degree. F. The charge is 100% of the maximum charge if the temperature falls 4.degree. F. or more below the set point temperature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.