Thermostat Feedback Interface for Energy-Saving Schedule Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional energy management systems, such as programmable thermostats, often fail to realize their full energy savings potential due to lack of user engagement, as consumers rarely program them, leading to missed opportunities for reducing heating and cooling costs.
Innovation Solution
A control system with a processor and memory that receives user commands for energy-consuming devices, providing feedback on the impact of these settings based on pre-defined conditions, such as energy efficiency or cost savings, to encourage optimal usage through a user interface that displays positive or negative feedback indicators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If programmable thermostats are provided to consumers, then energy savings potential can be achieved, but user engagement remains low and devices are rarely programmed
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides real-time feedback to users about the energy savings impact of thermostat settings through a user interface. The feedback component analyzes user commands, determines whether they satisfy pre-defined energy-saving conditions, and presents visual indicators (such as checkmarks or messages) showing the quality of impact. This immediate feedback loop motivates users to program their thermostats correctly and achieve the intended energy savings.
2Loss of energy
If capable hardware is provided, then energy savings potential exists, but the hardware fails to deliver possible energy savings without user action
Solution Approach 1:
The system bridges the gap between hardware capability and actual performance by implementing a feedback mechanism that actively guides users. The feedback component communicates whether thermostat settings meet energy-saving criteria, transforming dormant hardware potential into realized energy savings through informed user behavior.
3Use of energy by moving object
If users are given control over thermostat settings, then energy efficiency can be improved, but users lack information about the impact of their selections
Solution Approach 1:
The system addresses the information gap by providing immediate feedback about the energy efficiency impact of user selections. The feedback component evaluates whether settings satisfy pre-defined conditions and presents this information through the user interface, enabling users to make informed decisions that improve overall energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The feedback component acts as an intermediary between the thermostat hardware and the user, translating technical settings into understandable impact information. This mediator provides the missing link that helps users comprehend how their selections affect energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Feedback is provided to a user based on a setting for a set of energy consuming devices. While a user modifies a thermostat's schedule or provides user commands to adjust a setting for the set of energy consuming devices, a user interface component generates feedback to the consumer in response to an adjusted setting based on a condition for a predetermined function. A positive feedback component generates a positive feedback, such as a positive image in the user interface if the setting meets or exceeds a recommended performance metric for an operational parameter for the set of energy consuming devices. A negative feedback component generates a negative feedback, such as a negative image if the setting meets or exceeds a second condition, such as a discouraged performance metric.