Process and apparatus for energy conservation in buildings using a computer controlled ventilation system

An energy conservation apparatus for providing temperature responsive ventilation in a building, said building having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device in operative connection with said power supply means for exchanging air in the building, said apparatus being electrically interposed between said power supply means and said output device for controlling the transmission of electricity to said output device, said energy conservation apparatus comprising:

• a first temperature sensor for reading the temperature of air outside the building;
• a second temperature sensor for reading the temperature of air outside the building;
• an electronic controller for operating the temperature control output device, said controller including;
• a clock means for determining real time;
• event memory means for storing a summer night-time schedule for real-time control of the output device;
• memory means for storing an acceptable indoor temperature set-point for said summer night-time schedule;
• program memory means for storing a set of program instructions, said program instructions including operational instructions to switch on the temperature control output device when the read indoor temperature is greater than said indoor temperature set-point associated with said summer night-time schedule and the read indoor temperature is at least greater than the read outdoor temperature and operational instructions to switch off the temperature control output device when the read indoor temperature is at least less than the read outdoor temperature;
• program means responsive to said set of stored program instructions for:
• obtaining real-time from said clock means;
• obtaining said summer night-time schedule from said event memory means;
• reading a outdoor temperature from said first temperature sensor;
• reading a indoor temperature from said second temperature sensor;
• comparing said real-time with each said summer night-time schedule to determine if said real-time falls within said summer night-time schedule;
• and
• comparing the read indoor temperature, the read outdoor temperature and the said indoor temperature set-point in accordance with said operational instructions to switch on or switch off the temperature control output device.

A method of conserving energy in a building having electric power supply means and at least one temperature control output device for exchanging air between the indoor and outdoor of a building, said method comprising the steps of:

• reading the temperature of air outside the building;
• reading the temperature of air inside the building;
• providing means for switching on or switching off the temperature control output device in accordance with pre-determined time schedules and pre-determined operational criteria corresponding to said pre-determined time schedule;
• determining real-time;
• comparing said real-time to said pre-determined time schedule to determine if said real-time falls within said predetermined time schedule;
• comparing the read indoor and the read outdoor temperatures in accordance with said predetermined operational criteria if said real-time fails within said predetermined time schedule;
• and
• switching on or switching off the temperature output device in accordance with the results of said comparison of the read indoor temperature and the read outdoor temperature.