Thermostat Time-to-Target Display for HVAC Energy Awareness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of HVAC systems lack understanding of the energy required to change temperatures, leading to inefficient energy usage, as current systems only display cost or savings without providing a clear awareness of HVAC system usage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that estimate and display the time it takes for an HVAC system to reach a target temperature, using a processing system and display to show numeric and graphical representations of this time, allowing users to understand the effort required for temperature changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If cost information is displayed to users, then energy awareness is improved, but user understanding of HVAC system usage remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators (e.g., colored bars ranging from green to red) to represent different levels of energy consumption. This transforms abstract cost data into intuitive visual information that users can immediately comprehend, directly addressing the problem of insufficient user understanding while maintaining improved energy awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a visual dimension to energy cost information by displaying graphical representations alongside or instead of numerical data. This dimensional transformation converts one-dimensional numerical cost data into two-dimensional visual displays with varying heights, colors, and positions, making energy consumption patterns more comprehensible to users.
2Adaptability or versatility
If programmable thermostats are used, then temperature control capability is improved, but user comprehension of energy consumption remains poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements immediate visual feedback that displays projected energy costs when users adjust temperature setpoints. As users interact with the thermostat interface to change temperature settings, the system dynamically updates visual indicators showing the relative energy consumption impact, allowing users to comprehend energy requirements before finalizing their decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates and displays energy cost information in advance of the user's final temperature setting decision. By showing projected energy consumption levels before the user commits to a temperature change, the system enables informed decision-making about energy usage associated with different temperature control options.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermostat is described for controlling air temperature in a building. The time associated with causing the controlled air temperature to reach a target temperature is estimated and displayed to a user. Input from a user indicating the target temperature can be received and the estimating and displaying can be carried out in real time. The thermostat can be wall-mounted or the user input can be received and estimated time can be displayed using a remote device, for example that communicates wirelessly with other components of the HVAC system.