System and method for using a network of thermostats as tool to verify peak demand reduction
AssigneeEcoFactor, Inc.
InventorsJohn Douglas Steinberg, Scott Douglas Hublou
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention comprises systems and methods for estimating the rate of change in temperature inside a structure. At least one thermostat located is inside the structure and is used to control an climate control system in the structure. At least one remote processor is in communication with said thermostat and at least one database stores data reported by the thermostat. At least one processor compares the outside temperature at least one location and at least one point in time to information reported to the remote processor from the thermostat. The processor uses the relationship between the inside temperature and the outside temperature to determine whether the climate control system is “on” or “off”.
Claims16
A system for monitoring the operational status of an HVAC system comprising:
- at least one HVAC control system associated with a first structure that receives temperature measurements from at least a first structure conditioned by at least one HVAC system;
- one or more processors that receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system,
- wherein said one or more processors compares the inside temperature of said first structure and the outside temperature over time to derive an estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure in response to outside temperature, and
- wherein said one or more processors compare an inside temperature recorded inside the first structure with said estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure to determine whether the first HVAC system is on or off.
A method for monitoring the operation of an HVAC system comprising:
- receiving temperature measurements from at least one HVAC control system associated with a first structure conditioned by at least one HVAC system;
- receiving at one or more processors, measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system;
- comparing with said one or more processors the inside temperature of said first structure and the outside temperature over time to derive an estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure in response to outside temperature, and
- comparing with said one or more processors, an inside temperature recorded inside the first structure with said estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure to determine whether the first HVAC system is on or off.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.