System and method for characterization of retrofit opportunities in building using data from communicating thermostats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for identifying energy retrofit opportunities in buildings are often invasive, costly, and lack accuracy, requiring on-site inspections that are inconvenient and limited in scope, whereas remote audits using data from HVAC systems and thermostats can provide a more efficient and scalable solution for evaluating thermal characteristics and recommending energy-saving measures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize computing devices to analyze thermal data from thermostats and HVAC systems to determine thermal characteristics such as insulation, air leakage, and HVAC efficiency, simulating retrofit scenarios to estimate potential energy savings and recommend upgrades, sealing air leaks, or replacing HVAC equipment, without the need for on-site visits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If on-site inspections are conducted to identify retrofit opportunities, then measurement precision and reliability improve, but device complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection and processing by continuously monitoring thermostat data, outdoor temperature, and energy consumption before conducting the actual retrofit opportunity identification. This preliminary action prepares the dataset and reduces the need for extensive on-site inspection time while maintaining accuracy through pre-processed thermal characteristic calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computing device as an intermediary that processes thermostat data, outdoor temperature data, and energy consumption data to calculate thermal characteristics. This intermediary system bridges the gap between simple remote data collection and accurate on-site inspection results, eliminating the need for physical presence while maintaining measurement precision through mathematical modeling.
2Loss of time
If remote audits using thermostat data are used, then loss of time and device complexity reduce, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors and processes thermostat data, outdoor temperature, and energy consumption in a feedback loop to refine thermal characteristic calculations. By using historical data and continuous monitoring, the system improves measurement precision over time without requiring additional on-site visits, thus maintaining both speed and accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical on-site inspection process with a computational system that uses mathematical models to calculate thermal characteristics from remote data. This substitution uses algorithms and data processing instead of physical measurement tools and human inspection, maintaining precision while eliminating time loss and complexity associated with on-site visits.
3Reliability
If comprehensive on-site inspections are performed, then reliability of retrofit recommendations improve, but ease of operation and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables buildings to self-report their thermal characteristics and energy consumption patterns through connected thermostats and sensors. This self-service approach allows the computing device to automatically evaluate multiple buildings simultaneously without requiring manual inspection teams, thus improving productivity while maintaining reliability through consistent automated assessment protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal evaluation system that can assess multiple building types and retrofit opportunities using the same computational framework. The system handles diverse data sources (thermostat data, outdoor temperature, energy consumption) and applies unified thermal characteristic calculations across different buildings, enabling high-volume evaluation while maintaining consistent reliability through standardized methodologies.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for characterization of retrofit opportunities are described. The methods may comprise computing, using at least one computing device disposed remote from a building and based at least in part on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) runtime data associated with the building, one or more thermal characteristics of the building. In some embodiments, a model-predicted indoor temperature may be fitted against thermal data measured by a thermostat at the building. The thermal characteristic of the building may comprise a thermal insulation, an air leakage rate and/or an HVAC efficiency. The method may be used to determine, using the at least one computing device, suitability of the building for a retrofit opportunity to improve energy efficiency of the building. Determining the suitability may comprise evaluating the one or more thermal characteristics. The HVAC runtime data may be computed based on data received from a thermostat or a meter, such as an electric or a gas meter.