Abstract: A method and system for balancing user comfort with energy conservation in an energy management system having a plurality of electrical devices includes a dial system in communication with the energy management system. Movement of a movable member of the dial system between the first extreme and the second extreme commands the energy management system to change the operating settings of the plurality of electrical devices. A method for optimizing energy conservation in a building having an energy management system with a plurality of electrical devices includes inputting and defining fixed and variable building parameters, as well as building usage conditions predicting building usage. The variable building parameters are varied to minimizing energy consumption by the energy management system in accordance with the fixed building parameters and the predicted building usage.