HVAC control with utility time of day pricing support
US8538586B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 22, 2010 |
| Grant date | Sep 17, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 14, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F2110/10
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
The present disclosure provides a method for operating a utility-powered HVAC system for conditioning inside air of a building. In an illustrative but non-limiting example, a nominal schedule is maintained by a local HVAC controller, where the nominal schedule has a number of days and one or more time periods for each of at least some of the days. The nominal schedule also has at least one setpoint associated with each of the time periods. The local HVAC controller is configured to accept manual input from a user via a user interface. The manual input may include accepting entry of a utility pricing schedule that corresponds to scheduled price changes of a utility. The utility pricing schedule may include at least one enhanced pricing time period. Entry of at least one utility price level setpoint may also be accepted to correspond to each of the enhanced pricing time periods. The nominal schedule may then be modified or overridden to include the utility pricing schedule, resulting in a utility pricing operating schedule. One or more HVAC units may then be controlled by the local HVAC controller in accordance with the utility pricing operating schedule.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.