Thermostat Pre-Conditioning Control for Weather-Adaptive HVAC Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Programmable thermostats face challenges in balancing comfort and energy savings due to varying outside weather conditions and thermal characteristics of individual homes, leading to inefficient energy usage and comfort tradeoffs.
Innovation Solution
A network-connected system that uses predictive algorithms and bi-directional communication between thermostats and servers to dynamically adjust HVAC system operation based on outside weather, thermal characteristics, and historical data, allowing for just-in-time temperature adjustments through a series of intermediate setpoints to optimize comfort and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If programmable thermostat pre-conditions the home to desired temperature before occupancy, then comfort is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pre-conditioning strategies based on real-time weather forecasts, historical thermal data, and predicted occupancy patterns. Instead of using fixed pre-conditioning schedules, the thermostat continuously adapts the start time and temperature setpoints to match actual conditions, allowing optimal balance between comfort and energy consumption on each day
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses historical data from previous days to learn the thermal characteristics of the home and HVAC system. This feedback loop allows the thermostat to refine its predictions of how long pre-conditioning will take and how much energy it will consume, progressively improving the optimization of pre-conditioning operations
Solution Approach 3:
The system performs preliminary analysis of weather forecasts and thermal characteristics before determining pre-conditioning schedules. By anticipating future conditions and pre-calculating optimal strategies, the system can prepare the home at the most energy-efficient moment rather than using conservative fixed schedules
2Ease of operation
If thermostat is programmed to achieve desired temperature at target time, then comfort is ensured, but energy is wasted on warmer days
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts pre-conditioning duration and intensity based on predicted outside temperatures and the home's thermal characteristics. On warmer days, the thermostat calculates that less pre-conditioning time is needed, reducing energy waste while still ensuring comfort at occupancy time
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (pre-conditioning start time, target temperature setpoints, HVAC capacity settings) based on varying outside weather conditions. When outside temperatures are milder, the thermostat modifies these parameters to reduce energy consumption while maintaining the goal of achieving desired comfort at occupancy
3Speed
If HVAC system capacity is increased to reach target temperature faster, then response speed is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the full HVAC capacity only when necessary based on thermal characteristics and outside conditions. For well-insulated homes or mild weather, the thermostat applies partial capacity that is sufficient to reach target temperatures, avoiding the energy waste of using excessive capacity when it isn't needed
4Ease of operation
If fixed pre-conditioning schedule is used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but adaptability to weather conditions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat automatically learns the home's thermal characteristics from historical data and autonomously adjusts pre-conditioning schedules based on weather forecasts without requiring user programming or intervention. The system self-optimizes by analyzing patterns in how the home responds to HVAC operation under different conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reducing the cycling time of a climate control system. For example, one or more of the exemplary systems can receive from a database a target time at which a structureis desired to reach a target temperature. In addition, the system acquires the temperature inside the structure and the temperature outside the structure at a time prior to the target time. The systems use a thermal characteristic of the structure and a performance characteristic of the climate control system, to determine the appropriate time prior to the target time at which the climate control system should turn on based at least in part on the structure, the climate control system, the inside temperature and the outside temperature. The systems then set a setpoint on a thermostatic controller to control the climate control system.