Multistage Thermostat Auxiliary Heating Control for Energy Savings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multistage thermostats face a tradeoff between comfort and energy conservation due to the high energy usage of auxiliary heating stages, which are often activated immediately to quickly achieve temperature setpoints, leading to inefficient energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
A multistage thermostat controller that can operate in either normal or economy mode, delaying or suppressing the activation of the auxiliary heating stage to conserve energy by determining a target time for temperature setpoints and using a control algorithm to manage the primary and auxiliary stages based on sensed temperatures, past usage, and user inputs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the auxiliary stage is activated immediately when a new setpoint is received, then the temperature setpoint is achieved more quickly, but energy usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat dynamically adjusts the auxiliary stage activation strategy based on real-time conditions including outdoor temperature, building heat loss characteristics, and current temperature deviation. The system transitions between different control modes (immediate activation, delayed activation, or suppression) to optimize the balance between comfort and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the activation parameter (timing and duration of auxiliary stage) based on calculated parameters such as building heat loss, outdoor temperature, and desired temperature achievement time. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system achieves energy optimization while maintaining acceptable comfort levels.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the auxiliary stage is delayed or suppressed, then energy consumption is reduced, but the temperature setpoint may not be achieved within the desired time
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat performs preliminary calculations of building heat loss, thermal mass, and heating requirements before making activation decisions. This advance analysis allows the system to predict whether delayed or suppressed auxiliary activation will still achieve the setpoint within acceptable timeframes, enabling energy-saving decisions without compromising comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors temperature changes, heating response rates, and system performance to provide feedback on whether the primary stage is achieving the setpoint within the target time. This feedback loop allows dynamic adjustment of auxiliary stage activation to ensure setpoint achievement while minimizing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the auxiliary stage control of multistage thermostats are disclosed. An illustrative multistage thermostat for a multistaged HVAC system installed within a building or structure can include a processor having a control algorithm adapted to operate the thermostat in either a normal mode for achieving rapid temperature changes within the building or structure or an economy mode for conserving energy usage. In the economy mode of operation, the thermostat can be configured to determine a target time for achieving a temperature setpoint by either delaying or suppressing activation of the system's auxiliary stage. The target time can be adjusted in part based on the past usage characteristics of the auxiliary stage, the behavior of the user, and/or the progress of the primary stage in achieving the setpoint change without operating the auxiliary stage.