HVAC Controller Utility Pricing Schedule Override
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Solution Overview
Problem
HVAC systems lack an efficient method to adjust energy consumption in response to varying utility pricing schedules during peak demand periods, requiring manual adjustments or automated communication links that may not be feasible for all users.
Innovation Solution
An HVAC controller that allows manual entry of utility pricing schedules, enabling users to override nominal schedules with utility pricing schedules, which include setpoints for enhanced pricing periods, to optimize energy consumption without requiring automated communication links.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If manual adjustments are required to modify energy consumption in response to varying utility pricing schedules, then energy bill reduction is achieved, but user convenience and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring continuous user intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC controller automatically modifies energy consumption in response to utility pricing schedules without requiring continuous user intervention. The system self-adjusts operating parameters based on received pricing information, enabling automatic energy bill reduction while maintaining user convenience.
Solution Approach 2:
The system receives utility pricing schedule information as input feedback and automatically adjusts HVAC operations based on this feedback. This closed-loop approach enables the system to respond dynamically to varying pricing conditions, reducing energy costs during peak periods while maintaining comfort during off-peak periods.
2Productivity
If automated communication links are implemented to enable HVAC systems to respond to utility pricing schedules, then energy consumption optimization improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses an intermediary communication approach where pricing schedule information is transmitted to the HVAC controller through available communication interfaces. This intermediary mechanism enables automated response to utility pricing without requiring complex direct integration, balancing optimization capability with acceptable system complexity.
3Device complexity
If HVAC systems operate without automated communication links, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to automatically adjust energy consumption in response to utility pricing schedules deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The HVAC controller utilizes existing multi-functional communication interfaces and processing capabilities to handle utility pricing schedule information. By leveraging the controller's existing computational and communication functions, the system achieves automatic energy adjustment capability without adding dedicated specialized components, thereby maintaining acceptable device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
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 offset 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.