Pool energy consumption meter

Abstract

A pool energy consumption meter includes a microprocessor and associated memory. A software module is stored on the associated memory and contains a set of instructions. The pool energy consumption meter includes a temperature regulation element connected to the microprocessor operable to regulate the temperature of a pool. The pool energy consumption meter includes a heater connection connected to the microprocessor operable to connect to and to control a pool heater. The pool energy consumption meter includes a pool controller connection connected to the microprocessor operable to connect to and control a pool controller. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one sensor connected to the microprocessor for detecting energy usage. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one communication module connected to the microprocessor. The pool energy consumption meter calculates energy consumption of a pool heater and operable to restrict operation of a pool heater.

Description

POOL ENERGY CONSUMPTION METERBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONI. Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 535,295, filed August 29, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference as if fully disclosed herein.II. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention generally relates to monitoring fluid flow and fluid temperature regulation of a pool, pool / spa, or any recreational body of water, energy efficiency, energy consumption, and metering energy use during specific periods for monetizing.III. General Background

[0003] Pool systems, such as swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, and the like, typically include temperature regulation systems for heating and / or cooling the pool water, such as electric heaters, solar heaters, electric chillers. Rental properties, such as those available through Airbnb and VRBO, with pool systems are particularly attractive for bookings, as guests enjoy utilizing these amenities as part of their stays. Guests often utilize the pool heaters and hot tub features of a pool system to make the water more comfortable or to enjoy the hot tub. However, these systems can be expensive for owners, as the electricity to operate the heating systems can be costly and guests often use these systems without concern for energy costs. As such, what is needed is the ability for a property owner to meter energy usage of a portion of a pool system to pass on costs to a guest.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a pool energy consumption meter is provided. The pool energy consumption meter includes a microprocessor and associated memory.A software module is stored on the associated memory and contains a set of instructions. The pool energy consumption meter includes a temperature regulation element in electronic communication with the microprocessor. The temperature regulation element is operable to regulate the temperature of a pool. The pool energy consumption meter includes a heater connection that is in electronic communication with the microprocessor and is operable to connect to and to control a pool heater. The pool energy consumption meter includes a pool controller connection in electronic communication with the microprocessor and is operable to connect to and control a pool controller. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one sensor connected to the microprocessor for detecting energy usage. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one communication module in electronic communication with the microprocessor. By operation of the microprocessor executing the instructions of the software module, the microprocessor is operable to calculate an energy consumption of a pool heater. By operation of the microprocessor executing the instructions of the software module, the microprocessor is operable to restrict operation of a pool heater.

[0005] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system is provided. The method includes a first step of providing a pool energy consumption meter. The pool energy consumption meter includes a microprocessor and associated memory. A software module is stored on the associated memory and contains a set of instructions. The pool energy consumption meter includes a temperature regulation element in electronic communication with the microprocessor. The temperature regulation element is operable to regulate the temperature of a pool. The pool energy consumption meter includes a heater connection that is in electronic communication with the microprocessor and is operable to connect to and to control a pool heater. The pool energy consumption meterincludes a pool controller connection in electronic communication with the microprocessor and is operable to connect to and control a pool controller. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one sensor connected to the microprocessor for detecting energy usage. The pool energy consumption meter includes at least one communication module in electronic communication with the microprocessor. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a second step of monitoring the energy usage of a portion of said pool system by the at least one sensor. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a third step of determining the energy usage of a portion of a pool system at a baseline state. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a fourth step of determining energy usage of the portion of the pool system when the pool system is in a non-baseline state. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a fifth step of determining a difference in energy usage between the baseline state and the non-baseline state of the portion of the pool system over a period of time. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a sixth step calculating a cost of energy usage determined in the fifth step. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system includes a seventh step of communicating the cost calculated in the sixth step via the communication module.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a pool energy consumption meter in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts a pool system including a pool energy consumption meter in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0009] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

[0010] The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. Within the descriptions of the figures, similar elements are provided similar names and reference numerals as those of the previous figure(s). The specific numerals assigned to the elements are provided solely to aid in the description and are not meant to imply any limitations (structural or functional) on the invention.

[0011] The appended drawings illustrate exemplary configurations of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective configurations. It is contemplated that features of one configuration may be beneficially incorporated in other configurations without further recitation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or be entirely separate. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the disclosure, as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a pool energy consumption meter 100 is provided, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes amicroprocessor 102 and associated memory 104. A software module 106 is stored on the associated memory 104 and contains a set of instructions 108. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes a temperature regulation element 110 in electronic communication with the microprocessor 102 via wiring 103. The temperature regulation element 110 is operable to regulate the temperature of a pool 112. The temperature regulation element 110, may be a thermostat, thermistor, thermocouple, or a regulator, for example. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes a heater connection 114 that is in electronic communication with the microprocessor 102 and is operable to connect to and to control a pool heater 116. The heater connection 114 may be one or more of a switch, controller, connection to a fireman’s switch, or connection to heater lockout or fuse switch, for example. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes a pool controller connection 118 in electronic communication with the microprocessor 102 and is operable to connect to and control a pool controller 120. The pool controller connection 118 may be one or more of a switch, controller, connection to a fireman’s switch, or connection to pool controller lockout or fuse switch, for example. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes at least one sensor 122 connected to the microprocessor 102 for detecting energy usage. The sensor 122 may be operable to detect gas usage, electricity usage, electrical signatures, electrical current, electrical voltage, flame rectification, gas valve actuation, vibration, physical movement, flow, flow rate, etc. The sensor 122 may be an energy meter operable to meter energy used by the pool heater 116. The pool energy consumption meter 100 includes at least one communication module 124 in electronic communication with the microprocessor 124. The communication module 124, may include one or a combination of radiofrequency (RF), ethemet, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi, for example. By operation of the microprocessor 102 executing the instructions 108 of the software module 106, the microprocessor 102 is operable to calculate anenergy consumption of a pool heater 1 16. By operation of the microprocessor 102 executing the instructions 108 of the software module 106, the microprocessor 102 is operable to restrict operation of a pool heater 116.

[0014] An exemplary schematic of a pool system 126 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The pool system includes a fluid pump 142. The pump 142 when activated, can flow water or other fluid through the pool system 126. The pool system 126 includes a flow rate sensor 144. The flow rate sensor 144 is in fluidic communication with the fluid flow pump 142 via piping 146. The flow rate sensor 144 measures flow rate based on the amount of fluid passing through the flow rate sensor 144 and transmits flow rate measurement signals to pool controller 120. The temperature regulation system includes a fluid filter 148. The fluid filter 148 can filter particles, debris, and the like, from a fluid flowing through the pool system 126. The temperature regulation system includes a fluid heater / cool er, such as pool heater 116, which is fluidically coupled the flow pump 142 and is configured to be fluidically coupled to the pool 112. Further, pool heater 116 is in electronic communication with the pool controller 120. When activated, the pool heater 116 can alter the temperature of the fluid flowing through the pool heater 116. The pool heater 116 can rely on a variety of energy sources. For example, the pool heater 116 can be an electric heater or cooler, where the heat source is electrical. In some examples, the pool heater 116 can be a natural gas heater, where the heat source is gas. In yet other examples, the pool heater 116 can be a solar heater, where the heat source is solar. Further, the temperature regulation system can include a variety of heaters and / or coolers, where each heater and cooler is fluidically coupled to the fluid flow pump and configured to be coupled to a fluid repository. The pool heater 126 includes a thermostat 110 to serve as a temperature gauge. The thermostat 110 is coupled in-line, such that the thermostat 110 is installed in the fluidic piping and is exposed to the fluid flowing through thepiping. The thermostat 110 can measure the temperature (e.g., through the temperature-dependent resistance of the thermostat 110) of the flowing fluid and transmit these measurements and / or resistance measurements to the pool controller 120. The pool system 126 includes a pool controller 120 in electronic communication with fluid flow pump 142, flow rate sensor 144, the thermostat 110 and the pool heater (or cooler, in some embodiments) 116. The pool energy consumption meter 100 is connected to the pool heater 116 and the pool controller 120. The pool controller 120 also includes a thermostat 123.

[0015] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, a computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 is provided. The method includes a first step 202 of providing a pool energy consumption meter 100. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a second step 204 of monitoring the energy usage of a portion of the pool system 126 by the at least one sensor 122. The portion of the pool system to be monitored may the heating system, such as the pool heater of a pool or a hot tub, for example. In some embodiments, a pool system 126 may have a pool, hot tub, and additional bodies of water or components that each have separate heating systems. The pool energy consumption meter 100 may be used in any pool, spa, or similarly enclosed body of water. A sensor 122 may be connected to each separate heating system and connected to an input of the microprocessor 102 to measure the energy usage of each of the heating systems, for example. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a third step 206 of calculating the energy usage of a portion of a pool system 126 at a baseline state 128. For example, the baseline state 128 may be the amount of energy consumed by the pool system 126 during nonuse, i.e., operational energy usage, as the pool system 126 will consume energy to cycle and filter water, for instance, even when people are not swimming and usingheating functionality. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a fourth step 208 of calculating energy usage profile of the portion of the pool system when the pool system is in a non-baseline state 130. For example, the non-baseline state 130 may be when the pool heater 116 is running to heat the pool 112. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a fifth step 210 of determining a difference in energy usage between the baseline state 128 and the nonbaseline state 130 of the portion of the pool system 126 over a period of time. The difference in energy usage is the total amount of energy consumed during heating less the operational energy usage and thus represents the amount of energy used to heat the pool 112 when the pool heater 116 is running. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a sixth step 212 calculating a cost of energy usage determined in the fifth step 210. The computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes a seventh step 214 of communicating the cost calculated in the sixth step 212 via the communication module 124.

[0016] In one embodiment the computer implemented method 200 of metering energy consumed by a pool system 126 includes the step 216 of providing a centralized data processing server 132. The cost calculated in step 212 may be communicated to the centralized data processing server 132 via the communication module 124, for example. The energy usage and energy cost information may be transferred to centralized data processing server 132 for digital storage, for example. The software module 106 enables a user to access and remotely control the pool energy consumption meter 100 via a computing device 136, such as a phone, tablet, or computer-compatible application, in communication with the centralized data processing server 132. The software module 106 enables a user to establish parameters for an operation of at least aportion of a pool system 126, enable access to the energy usage and energy cost information, and enable a user to restrict usage of a pool heater 116, for example. In one embodiment, the energy usage and energy cost information can be transferred to a third-party application compatible with a phone, tablet or computer, for incorporation into a bill, fee, or invoice.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pool energy consumption meter 100 is connected to a pool system 126 via a heater connection 114 to pool heater 116 and pool controller connection 118 to pool controller 120 to enable monitoring and control of the pool system 126. As illustrated, pool controller connection 118 is a relay on the circuit board 101 of the pool energy consumption meter 100. Controller wiring 125 connects to the pool controller fireman’s switch 136 of the pool controller 120. The heater connection 114 is a relay on the circuit board 101 of the pool energy consumption meter 100. Heater wiring 115 connects to the heater fireman’s switch 138 of the pool heater 116. By connecting to the respective fireman’s switches 136 and 138, the pool energy consumption meter 100 is operable to determine whether the pool heater 116 and pool controller 120 are receiving current and thus powered on. When the pool heater 116 and pool controller 120 are each powered on, the fireman’s switches are closed circuits. The pool energy consumption meter 100 is operable to send a signal to the respective fireman’s switches 136 and 138 to break / interrupt the respective circuits of the pool controller 120 pool heater 116 to turn one or both off. This functionality is particularly useful in rental situations, where the owner of a pool system 126 may want to remotely turn off or restrict use of a pool system 126 or the pool heater 116 to conserve energy, for example. By setting parameters via the software module 106, an owner may use the functionality of the pool energy consumption meter 100 to restrict heating above a certain water temperature on a certain schedule, or by connecting to smart phone GPS location services of users or guests or detection by smart home devices enable or restrict usage when the owner ispresent or away, when rental guests are present or away. Because the pool energy consumption meter 100 can be added to existing pool systems, a guest or visitor of a property may be operating an existing pool controller or a thermostat to increase the temperature of the pool system but the pool energy consumption meter 100 is operational to disable usage.

[0018] A novel aspect of the pool energy consumption meter 100 is its versatility to be retrofit to existing pool systems, installed with new systems, and to connect to a variety of types of equipment, such as systems with electric or gas heaters, for examples. In pool systems 126 with electric pool heaters 116, the heaters are heating the water when the heaters are powered on and current is detected by a sensor 122. Energy consumed by an electric pool heater 116 is used for heating the water and thus energy calculated to have been used in a non-baseline state can be billed to a user. The pool energy consumption meter 100 is connected to the fireman’s switch 138 of the electric pool heater 116 and the electrical current senor 122 measures energy consumed by the pool heater 116, such as by connecting to the electrical input. However, in applications with gas pool heaters 116, current to the gas pool heater 116 does not necessarily mean that the gas pool heater 116 is heating, as current may run to a gas pool heater’s ignition control module 117 even when it is not heating. Typical gas pool heaters 116 are electric appliances which utilize natural gas flames operable to heat the pool water. Gas pool heaters 116 have a circuit board and an ignition control module 117. A gas pool heater 117 will run a startup sequence beginning with a pilot flame and ultimately to a full flame to heat water. Gas heaters include flame rectification sensor 140 to confirm flame from the ignited gas is properly igniting and thus is heating the water. To meter heating when a gas pool heater 116 is properly heating water of a pool, the pool energy consumption meter 100 may be in electronic communication with the flame rectification sensor 140 of the gas pool heater 116 to establish a non-baseline when both current is detected byelectrical current sensor 122 and flame is detected by the flame rectification sensor 140. If not the flame rectification sensor 140 indicates that the flame is not heating the water, the gas pool heater 116 will shut off the gas by closing the heater gas valve 119. As such, even though electric current is running to the gas heater, the gas heater would not be heating the pool water. The pool energy consumption meter 100 may also be connected to the heater gas valve 119 to monitor whether it is open or close and thus if gas is being consumed. The pool energy consumption meter 100 may be connected to the fireman’s switch 138 of the gas pool heater 116 and electrical current sensor 122 is operable measures energy, such as by connecting to the electrical input. The pool energy consumption meter 100 may also connect into a circuit board 121 of a pool heater 116, for example.

[0019] In one embodiment, the electrical current sensor 122 is an energy consumption meter that calculates voltage, current, and time and electronically reports the kilowatt-hours consumed during a specific period. The electrical current sensor may connect to the breakers, 240 volt power connections, any power supply cables, or any location where current is flowing through the system, for example, to measure and determine current flowing.

[0020] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pool energy consumption meter 100 is connected to main power source 150. This may be the breaker or an outlet of a residence of a building and be either 240 volts or 120 volts, for example. Aux meters 152 show an additional method of measuring electrical current flowing to a pool system or other patio, yard, or electrical devices on a property, for example. Electrical current sensors, illustrated as aux meters 152, may be connected to where components receive power from the main power source 150 so that the pool energy consumption meter 100 may measure current to establish energy usage by each device. For example, a pool heater may be connected to the main power source 150. The pool energy consumption meter 100is operable to measure the current drawn by the pool heater at the power source, establish baseline and non-baseline states, and then calculate the amount of energy used by each component. This method can be in combination with or in lieu of connecting directly to each individual component of a pool system, for example. This may also be useful for devices which are not directly integrated into a pool system, such as lights or a sauna, for example.

[0021] In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the software module 106 allows users to set parameters 138 for the operation and / or condition of a pool or portion of a pool. Parameters 138 can include one or more elements of pool maintenance and / or optimization such as temperature, pH, alkalinity, hardness, chlorine levels, salinity, filtration, pool cleaning schedule, etc. The software module 106 may further allow one or more users to restrict usage of a pool heater 116 or other pool equipment connected to the pool energy consumption meter 100. The pool energy consumption meter is capable of overriding pre-existing pool heaters, pool pumps, pool control system, temperature regulation systems, filtration systems, chemical systems, maintenance systems, etc. The pool energy consumption meter 100 can operate to restrict modification of preset parameters of a pool system, even through direct access of physical pool system equipment control interfaces. For example, a user of the pool energy consumption meter system may set the maximum temperature of a pool at 97° F; if someone accesses the control panel of the pool heater and manually inputs the temperature to be greater than 97° F, the pool energy consumption meter will prevent the pool heater from bringing the pool to this temperature through one or more of several means. For example, the pool energy consumption meter 100 may be in electronic / digital communication with the pool heater 116 such that it may automatically reset the pool heater settingto 97°F, or the pool energy consumption meter may trigger the fireman’ s switch of the pool heater to cut off power to the pool heater when the pool gets above 97°F, or by another means.

[0022] In one embodiment of the method 200, the costs and energy usage measurements and calculations are used to make profiles to determine methods of energy conservation, increased efficiency and identifying contributing factors of increased costs. The energy usage and costs data may be transferred to and digitally stored in the central data processing server 132. A user may access the energy usage and energy costs from an application on a computing device 136 such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, laptop, The energy usage and costs data can be transferred to a third-party application compatible with a phone, tablet or computer and may be further incorporated into a bill, fee, invoice, or other accounting or billing method. For example, a short term rental property owner may add the pool heating energy costs incurred by a guest to a VRBO or Airbnb invoice.

[0023] In some embodiments of the invention, the properties of the pool system equipment necessary for energy costs calculations can be obtained by the pool energy consumption meter 100 receiving user input, such as a make and model number of the equipment making up the pool system equipment, such as the pool control, the pool heater, pool pump, and other components making up the system, for example. For example, the pool energy consumption meter 100 can receive information corresponding to power output, thermal conductivity rates, etc., of a heater by inputting the heater make and model number. In some embodiments of the invention, the pool energy consumption meter 100 can retrieve the equipment properties electronically (e g., through a website). In some embodiments of the invention, the equipment properties may be manually input by a user. These properties may be made available by searching through the interfaces of the respective equipment, through guides or manuals provided with the equipment, or by locating theinformation online. This information may be inputted into the software module 106 to determine how much energy is consumed when a pool system or an individual component of a pool system is operating.

[0024] The pool energy consumption meter 100 may include a user interface such as a touch screen, control panel, keyboard, keypad, display or any other type of user interface, for example.

[0025] In one embodiment, the pool energy consumption meter 100 monitors and tracks the electrical use of all related pool / spa equipment, additional pumps, lights, blowers, and electronically controlled fire features. Somebody could place the energy consumption meter on any body of water where one wants to monitor the energy efficiency or energy consumption, electrical or thermal, for heating or cooling, or transferring thermal fluid value from one body of fluid to another.

[0026] In some cases, an effective technique to reduce energy consumption and costs associated with pool temperature regulation is to keep the pool water at the lowest possible temperature. Heat loss of the water increases significantly and non-linearly with the difference to the ambient air temperature. An important consideration in pool temperature regulation is the amount of time it takes to reheat the water to the temperature that users desire to swim in. In smaller bodies of water, such as a spa, water may be heated at a rate of 40° F. per hour or higher. Large bodies of water such as pools will only typically gain 1-2° F. per hour. For this reason, it may take several hours to get a pool warm enough for swimming.

[0027] Systems and techniques for efficient pool temperature regulation are described herein.A temperature regulation system can monitor a performance of heating system components. For example, the amount of time required to raise the temperature of a coupled pool or similar fluid repository by a set amount can be recorded (e.g., by a control system). Other factors such asambient air temperature can also be monitored. Factors such as availability of direct solar radiation can also be monitored and / or recorded. By monitoring the capabilities of the system, along with an anticipated use time by a user, the system can calculate the latest possible time to activate heating component(s). Utility cost can also be monitored to achieve a cost-effective scheduling.

[0028] For example, consider a scenario where heating of the water requires 6 hours of pool pump activation. Assuming a 3 KW pump and $0.10 / KWH peak utility rate and $0.05 / KWH off- peak utility rate, pump runtime can be estimated at $1.80 during the day (on peak) or $0.90 at night (off peak). If heating the water earlier at night results in additional heat loss and additional cost of energy expenditure, the user may still save money on electric usage.

[0029] The pool energy consumption meter 100 can identify utility rates for the components of the system. For example, the control system can electronically communicate with a utility rate notification website or service. The pool energy consumption meter 100 can receive utility rates for the geographical location which the pool energy consumption meter 100 is located. The utility rates can be categorized by type of energy (electric, natural gas, and the like), the date, and / or the time of day. In some cases, the pool energy consumption meter 100 can store these utility rates for future use.

[0030] The pool energy consumption meter 100 can generate a temperature regulation procedure for reaching the fluid volume from the initial temperature value to a user desired fluid temperature value. In some cases, the temperature regulation procedure can be generated to minimize a cost for reaching the user desired temperature. Other temperature-regulation factors, such as pump parameters, heater types and operating parameters, utility rates, and the like, can be monitored and calculated into the temperature regulation procedure. For example, a coupled solar heater can include a low use cost compared to a coupled electric heater. However, the solar heaterefficiency can be dependent upon thermal conductivity parameters, previous weather forecast, and the like. Likewise, an electric heater may be more efficient compared to the solar heater in terms of thermal conductivity, but may cost more to operate on a per-minute basis (e.g., via energy rates) than the solar heater. The control system may take these factors into account in determining an optimal cost for reaching the fluid volume to the desired user temperature.

[0031] In some cases, pool energy consumption meter 100 can be fluidically coupled to more than one fluid repository. For example, the pool energy consumption meter 100 can be coupled to a pool basin and a spa basin. The pool energy consumption meter 100 can generate temperature regulation procedures for each coupled fluid repository. For example, in some cases input fluid channels into each fluid repository can diverge from a single intake channel, and can be individually coupled or decoupled to fluid flow from the variable speed pump through a channel valve. The control system can be in electronic communication with the channel valve, and can execute activation cycles separately for each of the fluid repositories.

[0032] In some cases, a current fluid temperature of a first fluid volume contained by a coupled first fluid repository can be calculated and be included as a temperature regulation factor for a second fluid volume contained by a coupled second fluid repository. For example, a hot tub and a pool basin can be coupled to the temperature regulation system. The hot tub can include a high initial temperature compared to the pool water. As part of a generated temperature regulation schedule for the pool water, the pool energy consumption meter 100 may determine to flow (e.g., via valve control and fluid flow pump control) hot tub water into the pool basin to increase the temperature of the pool water. In some cases, the temperature regulation system may determine to flow pool water into the spa, for example in order to decrease the temperature of the hot tub water.

[0033] The pool energy consumption meter 100 and techniques described herein, can be adaptable to the configurations of existing temperature regulation and fluid repository systems. For example, the control system can be configured to communicate with conventional variable speed pumps, flow rate sensors, valves, fluid channels, heater / coolers, thermistors, air thermometers, fluid repositories, and the like. Importantly, some temperature regulation systems can be retrofitted to execute the techniques described herein. For example, many conventional pool systems include a heater, a variable speed pump, a flow switch, and a pool basin. By implementing the techniques described herein, a temperature regulation system can effectively identify temperature regulation procedures through a new approach, while utilizing hardware already installed for the temperature regulation system. This can significantly decrease costs for pool owners, for example, by eliminating the needs for expensive installation costs and reducing renovation costs, as well as provide the owner with cost-effective techniques for regulating the temperature of a pool, spa, hot tub, and the like.

[0034] Further, as shown in the FIGS, and accompanying description, the system and techniques described herein can be adapted to a variety of pool, spa, or other fluid repository systems. While the FIGS, depict specific examples of configurations, one skilled in the art would understand that the maintenance system and associated techniques can be integrated into a multitude of fluid repository systems.

[0035] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particularimplementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the system (and components of the individual operating components of the system) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and / or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system comprising: providing a pool energy consumption meter in connection with a pool system, said pool energy consumption meter comprising: a processor; a software module stored on a memory; a temperature regulation element operable to regulate a temperature of a pool; at least one sensor for measuring an energy usage of a pool system; monitoring an energy usage of a portion of said pool system by said at least one sensor; calculating an energy usage of a portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a baseline state, wherein the baseline state of the pool system is a set of parameters selected by a user; calculating an energy usage of said portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a non-baseline state, wherein the non-baseline state of the pool system is a set of parameters selected by a user that are different than the parameters that define the baseline state; calculating a difference in energy usage between said baseline state and said nonbaseline state of said portion of said pool system.

2. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in Claim 1, further comprising the step of calculating the cost of the difference in energy usage between the baseline and non-baseline states.

3. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in Claim 2, wherein the energy prices are calculated using energy costs that are manually input into the pool energy consumption meter the by a user or automatically communicated to the pool energy consumption meter from a central data processing server.

4. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in Claim 2, further comprising the step of communicating the energy usage information or energy costs information to a user.

5. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 4, further comprising the step of a user remotely controlling one or more parameters of operation of at least a portion of a pool system.

6. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 1, wherein the portion of the pool system monitored is a heating system.

7. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in claim 4, wherein the energy usage and energy cost information is communicated to a user via a phone, tablet, or computer-compatible application.

8. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in claim 5, further comprising the step of communicating said energy usage and energy cost information to a third-party application compatible with a phone, tablet or computer.

9. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in claim 8, further comprising the step of incorporating the energy usage or energy cost into incorporated into a bill, fee, or invoice.

10. A pool energy consumption meter and control unit, comprising: a microprocessor and associated memory; a software module stored on said associated memory; a temperature regulation element in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said temperature regulation element operable to regulate a temperature of a pool; a heater connection, said heater connection in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said heater connection operable to connect to and control a pool heater; and a pool controller connection, said pool controller connection in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said pool controller connection operable to connect to and control a pool controller.

11. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, comprising at least one sensor for detecting energy usage.

12. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein the heater connection connects to the fireman switch of a pool heater.

13. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein the pool controller connection connects to the fireman switch of a pool controller.

14. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, comprising at least one communication module.

15. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 11, wherein by operation of said microprocessor executing said instructions of said software module, said microprocessor is operable to calculate an energy consumption of a pool heater.

16. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 11, wherein said at least one sensor for detecting energy usages comprises a sensor for detecting gas usage.

17. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 11, wherein, said at least one sensor for detecting energy usages comprises a sensor for detecting electrical current.

18. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, further comprising a flame rectification sensor in electronic communication with said microprocessor.

19. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, further comprising a gas valve rectification sensor in electronic communication with said microprocessor.

20. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein the temperature regulation element comprises a thermostat and a temperature sensor operable in water.

21. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein said software module enables a user to access and control said pool energy consumption meter via a separate computing device.

22. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein said software module is operable to determine energy usage of a portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a baseline state.

23. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein said software module is operable to determine energy usage of a portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a non-baseline state.

24. The pool energy consumption meter and control unit of claim 10, wherein said software module is operable to determine energy usage of a portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a baseline state, operable to determine energy usage of said portion of said pool system when said pool system is in a non-baseline state, operable to determine a difference inenergy usage between said baseline state and said non-baseline state of said portion of said pool system over a period of time, and operable to calculate a cost of energy usage of said portion of said pool system between said baseline state and said non-baseline state of said portion of said pool system.

25. A computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system comprising: providing a pool energy consumption meter, said pool energy consumption meter comprising: a microprocessor; a software module stored on said associated memory, said software module containing a set of instructions; a temperature regulation element in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said temperature regulation element operable to regulate a temperature of a pool; a heater connection, said heater connection in electronic communication with said microprocessor, said heater connection operable to connect to and control a pool heater; at least one sensor for detecting energy usage in electronic communication with said microprocessor; at least one communication module in electronic communication with said microprocessor; monitoring an energy usage of a portion of said pool system by said at least one sensor; calculating the energy usage of a portion of said pool system; calculating a cost of the energy usage; and communicating said cost of energy usage via said communication module.

26. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 25, further comprising the step of providing a centralized data processing server.

27. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 25, wherein said cost of the energy usage is communicated to said centralized data processing server.

28. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 27, wherein said software module enables a user to access and control said pool energy consumption meter via a computing device in communication with said centralized data processing server.

29. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system of claim 25, wherein said software module enables a user to establish parameters for an operation of at least a portion of a pool system.

30. The computer implemented method of metering energy consumed by a pool system in claim 25, wherein the cost information is communicated to a phone, tablet, or computercompatible application of a user.

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