Energy alert power system and method
AssigneeTim Simon, Inc.
InventorsTimothy M. Simon, Blaine M. Smith, Matthew T. Fisher
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An energy control system, helping to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid, includes a power meter which receives first power-save signal and generates a second power-save signal for receipt by a control device. The target temperature of a thermostat is changed for a period of time in response to the second power-save signal. The control device can create a third power-save signal for receipt by a power-save adapter for an associated energy-consuming unit to permit only limited operation of the energy-consuming unit.
Claims25
A method for temporarily reducing energy demand on an energy grid comprising:
- receiving a first power-save signal by a power meter of a user, the power meter being a remotely accessible power meter through which power is supplied to the user, the first power-save signal being received before a need to reduce power consumption;
- transmitting a second power-save signal from the power meter to a control device, the control device associated with a thermostat;
- changing a target temperature of the thermostat to a power-save target temperature in response to the second power-save signal;
- transmitting a third power-save signal by the control device to a power-save adapter of an associated energy-consuming unit;
- and upon receiving the third power-save signal by the power-save adapter, the power-save adapter permitting operation of the energy-consuming unit for a first period of time and at least substantially preventing operation of the energy-consuming unit following the first period of time.
A method for temporarily reducing energy demand on an energy grid comprising:
- receiving a first power-save signal by a power meter of a user, the power meter being a remotely accessible power meter through which power is supplied to the user, the first power-save signal being received before a need to reduce power consumption;
- transmitting a second power-save signal from the power meter to a control device, the control device associated with a thermostat;
- changing a target temperature of the thermostat to a power-save target temperature in response to the second power-save signal;
- and
- delaying changing the target temperature to the power-save target temperature for a second, chosen period of time.
An energy control system responsive to a need to reduce energy consumption from an energy grid comprising:
- a power meter capable of receiving a first power-save signal and generating a second power-save signal;
- a control device operably coupled to the power meter to receive the second power-save signal from the power meter;
- a thermostat operably coupled to the control device and having a selected target temperature, the selected target temperature being changed to a power-save target temperature in response to receipt of the second power-save signal for at least a first length of time;
- the control device capable of creating a third power-save signal in response to the receipt of the second power-save signal;
- and
- a power-save adapter, for an associated energy-consuming unit, responsive to the third power-save signal, the power-save adapter permitting operation of the energy-consuming unit for a second period of time and at least substantially preventing operation of the energy-consuming unit until after said second period of time in response to the third power-save signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.