Wirelessly Connected Thermostat for Flexible HVAC Energy Reporting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional thermostats and energy metering devices lack the ability to configure and present energy usage data in a flexible, meaningful way, especially for multiple load points, preventing users from effectively viewing and managing total HVAC energy consumption across premises.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent thermostat with a microcontroller, user interface, environmental sensors, and network interface that collects energy usage data from energy meters, processes it using scaling factors, and sends it to a remote server for grouping and presentation, allowing users to view energy consumption in logical categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional standalone metering devices are used to measure energy at different load points, then individual load measurement is achieved, but the data remains isolated without ability to group or characterize loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple standalone metering devices into a single integrated thermostat system that collects energy usage data from multiple load points. The thermostat aggregates individual load measurements and presents them in a unified interface, allowing users to view both individual and grouped energy consumption data simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls HVAC systems, measures energy at multiple load points, groups loads by category, and provides flexible data presentation. This multi-functional device replaces traditional single-purpose metering devices while adding capabilities for data aggregation and characterization.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple standalone energy meters are deployed to monitor different load points, then comprehensive energy data is collected, but installation complexity and field configuration requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermostat serves as a universal platform that can measure energy at multiple load points through integrated current sensors, eliminating the need for separate standalone meters. The device automatically configures itself upon detecting connected loads, removing the need for complex field configuration while maintaining comprehensive energy data collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat performs self-configuration by automatically detecting connected loads and setting appropriate measurement parameters. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual field configuration, reducing installation complexity while maintaining the ability to monitor multiple load points comprehensively.
3Loss of information
If energy usage data is collected from multiple load points, then detailed energy information is available, but the user cannot easily view total HVAC energy consumption across premises
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides differentiated data presentation by allowing users to view energy consumption at different levels of detail. Users can see individual load point data when needed, but can also aggregate and view total HVAC energy consumption across all premises through a simplified interface, with data grouped by relevant categories.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermostat dynamically changes data presentation parameters based on user selection, allowing switching between detailed individual load views and aggregated HVAC total views. The system maintains all detailed information internally while providing flexible display options that adapt to user needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for controlling an HVAC system and for monitoring energy usage at a premises is described. The system includes an energy meter at a electrical distribution panel, where the energy meter connected to one or more current transformers monitoring the current in one or more input lines and load lines and collecting current information for each of the monitored lines. The energy meter is further including a wireless radio to transmit the current information. An intelligent thermostat is operable to control the HVAC system at the premises according to environmental data sensed by the intelligent thermostat, and to receive the current information from the energy meter and to transmit the current information to a remote server for processing. A remote server is operable to process the current information from the energy meter by applying a scaling factor to the current information to determine energy usage.