Abstract: Controllers and methods for controlling operation of a climate control appliance for heating and/or cooling a space are provided. One example controller includes a memory for storing at least one temperature offset and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive the reduced operation request from at least one of a utility provider and a user of the controller, to receive a sensed temperature from at least one sensor disposed within the space, and to determine an artificial temperature based on the sensed temperature and the at least one temperature offset associated with the reduced operation request. The processor is configured to, in response to the reduced operation request, operate the climate control appliance based on a comparison of the set-point temperature and artificial temperature during a reduced operation interval, to thereby reduce operation of the climate control appliance in response to the reduced operation request.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of a heating or cooling system includes a system controller, a memory in which system parameter information relating to the heating or cooling system is stored, and a communication device through which the system controller is configured to transmit and receive signals to/from at least one component controller. The system controller is configured to receive via the communication device a data signal from the at least one component controller that includes information relating to operational parameters for at least one system component installed in the heating and cooling system. The system controller is configured to store in the memory the received operational parameters corresponding to the at least one system component. The stored operational parameters may be retrievable for communication to a replacement component controller in the event that the at least one component controller is replaced.

Abstract: Controllers and methods for controlling operation of a climate control appliance for heating and/or cooling a space are provided. One example controller includes a memory for storing at least one temperature offset and a processor coupled to the memory. The processor is configured to receive the reduced operation request from at least one of a utility provider and a user of the controller, to receive a sensed temperature from at least one sensor disposed within the space, and to determine an artificial temperature based on the sensed temperature and the at least one temperature offset associated with the reduced operation request. The processor is configured to, in response to the reduced operation request, operate the climate control appliance based on a comparison of the set-point temperature and artificial temperature during a reduced operation interval, to thereby reduce operation of the climate control appliance in response to the reduced operation request.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that is capable of reliably reducing the operation of an air conditioner and other systems to provide energy cost savings to the consumer and load reduction to a utility provider. The thermostat includes at least one sensor configured to communicate information indicative of the temperature within the space, and a memory for storing at least one temperature offset value associated with a request for reduced heating or reduced cooling operation. The thermostat further includes a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, which is configured to periodically determine a temperature value for the space and to control heating or cooling of the space until the determined temperature value has substantially reached the set-point temperature.

Abstract: An improved thermostat is provided that comprises a first wall disposed within the thermostat, which partitions off a portion of the interior space to form a compartment along a side wall of the thermostat that is separated from the rest of the thermostat's interior space. The thermostat includes a second wall that is adjacent to and spaced from the first wall, so as to define an insulating space between the compartment and the rest of the interior space. The thermostat further includes a first aperture that permits communication of airflow in a lower portion of the compartment, and a second aperture that permits communication of airflow at an upper portion of the compartment. A temperature sensing element is disposed within the compartment defined by the first wall. The temperature sensing device is thermally insulated from heat generated in the interior of the thermostat by the insulating space between the compartment and interior space.

Abstract: A system controller is disclosed that includes a communication means for transmitting and receiving information from an installed blower motor controller, and a removable memory device connected to the system controller. The removable memory device includes system parameter information stored thereon that relates to the particular heating or cooling system, where the system parameter information includes at least motor related parameters relating to the operation of one or more types of blower motors. The system controller further includes a processor configured to receive via the communication means the communication of identifying information from the blower motor controller that identifies the type of blower motor installed in the system. The processor is configured to retrieve motor related parameters corresponding to the specific identified blower motor controller from the memory device, and to send said corresponding motor related parameters to the blower motor controller.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that is capable of reliably reducing the operation of an air conditioner and other systems to provide energy cost savings to the consumer and load reduction to a utility provider. The thermostat includes at least one sensor configured to communicate information indicative of the temperature within the space, and a memory for storing at least one temperature offset value associated with a request for reduced heating or reduced cooling operation. The thermostat further includes a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, which is configured to periodically determine a temperature value for the space and to control heating or cooling of the space until the determined temperature value has substantially reached the set-point temperature.

Abstract: A system controller is provided that includes a communication network for transmitting and receiving information from an installed blower motor controller, and a removable memory device connected to the system controller. The removable memory device includes stored system parameter information related to a particular heating or cooling system, which information includes at least motor related parameters related to one or more types of blower motors. The system controller further includes a processor that receives, via the communication network, identifying information from the blower motor controller that identifies the type of blower motor that is installed. The processor is configured to retrieve motor related parameters corresponding to the specific identified blower motor from the memory device, and to send the corresponding motor related parameters to the blower motor controller.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that is capable of reliably reducing the operation of an air conditioner and other systems to provide energy cost savings to the consumer and load reduction to a utility provider. The thermostat includes at least one sensor configured to communicate information indicative of the temperature within the space, and a memory for storing at least one temperature offset value associated with a request for reduced heating or reduced cooling operation. The thermostat further includes a controller in communication with the at least one sensor, which is configured to periodically determine a temperature value for the space and to control heating or cooling of the space until the determined temperature value has substantially reached the set-point temperature.

Abstract: A thermostat for controlling a climate control system is provided that comprises a network interface for establishing an internet connection with a website of a remote service provider, and a microprocessor for controlling the operation of a climate control system. The microprocessor is in communication with the network interface for establishing an internet connection and receiving user-specified information from a remote service provider that maintains a user-profile of information requested by the user. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying user-specified information received via the network controller from the remote service provider.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A system controller is disclosed that includes a communication means for transmitting and receiving information from an installed blower motor controller, and a removable memory device connected to the system controller. The removable memory device includes system parameter information stored thereon that relates to the particular heating or cooling system, where the system parameter information includes at least motor related parameters relating to the operation of one or more types of blower motors. The system controller further includes a processor configured to receive via the communication means the communication of identifying information from the blower motor controller that identifies the type of blower motor installed in the system. The processor is configured to retrieve motor related parameters corresponding to the specific identified blower motor controller from the memory device, and to send said corresponding motor related parameters to the blower motor controller.

Abstract: A thermostat control system having remote devices and/or other internally powered devices provides transmissions at different power levels and at different data transfer rates to conserve power life. Thermostat control system components and devices may be powered by replaceable power supplies that are conserved by transmitting at a lower power level more often than at a higher power level. A higher power level transmission is provided at a lower data transfer rate, and a lower power level transmission is provided at a higher data transfer rate. A higher power transmission is provided periodically to ensure reliable communication of temperature information.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that comprises a touch-sensitive transparent membrane adapted to be affixed over a display, where the transparent membrane has a plurality of membrane switches. The thermostat comprises a microprocessor in communication with the plurality of membrane switches, and has a memory for storing a program for controlling the operation of the climate control system. The thermostat further comprises a display device responsive to the microprocessor for displaying a first screen having at least a first user-interface icon associated with at least one membrane switch, where in response to the user touching the membrane switch associated with the first user-interface icon the display device displays a second screen having at least a run user-interface icon and a schedule user-interface icon.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: A thermostat control system having remote devices and/or other internally powered devices provides transmissions at different power levels and at different data transfer rates to conserve power life. Thermostat control system components and devices may be powered by replaceable power supplies that are conserved by transmitting at a lower power level more often than at a higher power level. A higher power level transmission is provided at a lower data transfer rate, and a lower power level transmission is provided at a higher data transfer rate. A higher power transmission is provided periodically to ensure reliable communication of temperature information.

Abstract: A climate control system having a heating and cooling unit is provided that includes one or more remote temperature sensors for transmitting sensed temperature, a combustion air blower, a burner, an igniter, a gas valve, a compressor relay and circulating air blower. A control mounted on the heating and cooling unit has a receiver for receiving the transmitted information, a plurality of switching devices for switching power to the combustion air blower, igniter, gas valve and circulating air blower to establish heating operation, and a plurality of switching devices for switching power to the compressor relay and circulation air blower to establish cooling operation. The control responsively controls the plurality of switching devices to establish heating operation where the sensed temperature of at least one remote sensor is below the heating set point, or to establish cooling operation when at a sensed temperature is above the cooling set point.

Abstract: A system for communicating across conventional HVAC wiring is provided. The system includes a communication device having a communication module capable of inducing low power, high frequency current signals into a single control wire coupling, for example, a thermostat with a compressor. The communication module includes a power supply module that draws power sufficient to operate the communication module from the existing HVAC wiring, so as to eliminate any need for batteries or external power sources. A second communication module may be coupled to the single control wire. The second communication module operates as a transceiver sending communication signals to, and receiving communication signals from, the communication module. In one embodiment, the communication module is disposed within a building, for example coupled to an electronic thermostat, while the second communication module is disposed outside the building near the compressor.

Abstract: An improved thermostat is provided that comprises a first wall disposed within the thermostat, which partitions off a portion of the interior space to form a compartment along a side wall of the thermostat that is separated from the rest of the thermostat's interior space. The thermostat includes a second wall that is adjacent to and spaced from the first wall, so as to define an insulating space between the compartment and the rest of the interior space. The thermostat further includes a first aperture that permits communication of airflow in a lower portion of the compartment, and a second aperture that permits communication of airflow at an upper portion of the compartment. A temperature sensing element is disposed within the compartment defined by the first wall. The temperature sensing device is thermally insulated from heat generated in the interior of the thermostat by the insulating space between the compartment and interior space.