Abstract: An evapotranspiration mitigation method, system, and computer program product include checking a condition via a first sensor connected to an outside of a device to compute an evapotranspiration level and activating a roof opening of the device to deploy a roof from the device if the evapotranspiration level is greater than a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A thermostat includes: a controller adapted to control the function of an associated HVAC system; and user controls adapted to provide instructions to the controller including selecting between heating functions and cooling functions, wherein the controller is limited by a maximum temperature when heating functions are selected and limited by a minimum temperature when the cooling functions are selected, wherein the maximum temperature is a lower temperature than the minimum temperature.

Abstract: A vehicle thermal energy control system that is able to achieve improved heat management in the entirety of a vehicle is provided. A thermal energy control system is provided in a vehicle and includes heat sources and a heat amount distributor configured to assign a demanded heat amount calculated from heat demands generated in the entirety of the vehicle, to each heat source on the basis of a suppliable heat amount of each heat source.

Abstract: Operating heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems using occupancy sensing systems is described herein. One device includes instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to receive a mapping between a space of a plurality of spaces of a building, a fixture of a plurality of occupancy sensing system fixtures in the building, and an HVAC device of a plurality of HVAC devices associated with the building, and modify an operation of the HVAC device based on the mapping and responsive to a determination of occupancy in the space by the fixture.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining environmental data for an HVAC system are provided. Aspects include a housing, a transceiver, at least one environmental sensor, and a controller coupled to a memory, the controller configured determine a state of the at least one environmental sensor. And based at least in part on the state of the at least one environmental sensor being a failure state, obtain proximate environmental data.

Abstract: An HVAC controller, such as a thermostat, may be configured to allow a user to set and/or select schedule time period in which one or more indoor quality units (e.g. humidification, dehumidification, ventilation, etc.) will or will not operate, and/or will operated but using different settings. In some cases, the schedule time periods available for selection may correspond to the time periods of a programmable temperature schedule of the HVAC controller, but this is not required. In some instances, the HVAC controller may allow a user to select which indoor air quality units will or will not operate, and/or what settings the indoor air quality units will operate, during a user's vacation.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a thermostat obtains real-time energy prices from a electricity grid. It may also obtain additional data from external data sources, such as predicted energy prices or weather predictions. The thermostat attempts to find a control strategy for when to switch available aggregates that may include furnaces and air conditioners on and off. In order to solve this integer programming problem, the thermostat uses a random search algorithm. According to some embodiments, various data sources, such as day-ahead prices and real-time prices, are combined into forecasts of electricity prices for the present and future time periods. In some embodiments, a thermostat selects predictively between heating or cooling by letting outside air in or by using heating and cooling aggregates. Additional embodiments are discussed and shown.

Abstract: An air-conditioner remote controller in an air conditioner system that includes the air-conditioner remote controller and an air conditioner that performs air-conditioning control using room temperature information received from the air-conditioner remote controller, includes: a storage unit to store room temperature information that is information on room temperature measured by a plurality of temperature sensors and store schedule information that sets, for each time zone, a temperature sensor to measure a room temperature to be used as room temperature information in the air-conditioning control of the air conditioner; and a control unit to perform control such that the room temperature information from the set temperature sensor is acquired from the storage unit and the acquired room temperature information is transmitted to the air conditioner in accordance with the schedule information.

Abstract: An HVAC system within a building including an HVAC device having an air filter, a number of sensors, and a control device. The control device has a processor that is configured to determine a current air quality metric based on air quality measurements received by the sensor. The control device is further configured to calculate an average air quality metric based on the current air quality metric and a set of previous air quality metrics. The control device is further configured to store the average air quality metric. The control device is further configured to generate an air filter type recommendation based on the average air quality metric.

Abstract: Systems and methods for orchestrating the operation of energy-consuming loads, so as to minimize power consumption, are described. In some embodiments, the loads can be HVAC, refrigeration systems, air compressors, and the like, and orchestration is effected either directly or by means of the loads' respective controllers. In some aspects, the controllers can be Smart Thermostats and orchestration is effected through a Cloud-based orchestration platform or “COP.” In certain aspects, a COP uses specifically programmed application programming interfaces, or APIs, to control the operation of a single manufacturer's Smart Thermostats, where the manufacturer provides its own Cloud-based control platform, through which the COP operates. The COP can similarly orchestrate the operation of two or more manufacturers' Smart Thermostats through their respective Cloud-based control platforms. By these and other means, the operation of a variety of energy-consuming loads can be more easily and efficiently orchestrated.

Abstract: Equipment management system including two or more indoor environment control devices controlling the air environment in an indoor space; and control terminal connected to each of indoor environment control devices and configured to send and receive information to and from them. Control terminal includes external communication unit that communicates with mobile communication device connected through a public line; condition acquiring unit that acquires information related to an operating condition of indoor environment control devices from mobile communication device through external communication unit; operating condition determination unit that determines an operating condition of indoor environment control devices based on information acquired by condition acquiring unit; and control unit that operates indoor environment control devices under the operating condition determined by operating condition determination unit.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an inverter air conditioner control device based on a thermolator, which includes: a first controller, and an input interface, an outdoor unit communicating interface and a detecting interface all connected with the first controller, and an indoor unit controlled by a second controller, wherein, the input interface is connected with the thermolator, receives a control signal sent by the thermolator; the detecting interface is connected with a temperature detector, receives an indoor temperature signal; the first controller connects with a inverter air conditioner outdoor unit, controls an operation of the inverter air conditioner outdoor unit; the first controller sets a target reference temperature which is used for adjusting an operation frequency of a compressor of the inverter air conditioner outdoor unit. The present disclosure also provides a terminal, an inverter air conditioner control system and control method based on the thermolator.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a storage device, for using a robotic device to manipulate a manual control of a device. In one aspect, the system includes a robotic device, a first device that is located at a property and that has a manual control, and a monitoring unit. The monitoring unit may include a network interface, a processor, and a storage device that includes instructions to cause the processor to perform operations. The operations may include determining an operating state of the first device, determining the state of the monitoring system, determining whether one or more of the manual controls associated with the first device should be manipulated to alter the operating state of the first device, and transmitting one or more instruction to the robotic device that instruct the robotic device to manipulate one or more manual controls that are associated the first device.

Abstract: A system for an automatic temperature control of a space is described. The system includes a temperature maintaining unit, a controller connected to the temperature maintaining unit, and a user device that is communicably connected to the controller. There may also be a temperature sensing unit. The controller is configured to detect a presence of a user device within its vicinity. When the user device is detected, the controller reads the personal thermal comfort parameters from the user device, that may be stored within the user device. The controller further detects the temperature of the space through the temperature sensing unit and controls various functional parameters of the temperature maintaining unit based on the personal thermal comfort parameters of the user.

Abstract: A control system includes an energy management system in operation with intelligent, network-connected thermostats located in structures. The thermostats are operable to control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. Control during a demand response (DR) event period may be performed based on an optimal control trajectory of the HVAC system, where the control trajectory is optimal in that it minimizes a cost function.

Abstract: A method reduces substation demand fluctuations using decoupled price scheme to mange load flexibility to follow renewable variations in a power distribution system. The price scheme includes base energy price component, up/down reserve usage price component, and up/down reserve usage variation price component. The operator adjusts the corresponding price components to achieve desired aggregated demand profile at a substation. Meanwhile, the operator determines the optimal amount of reduced loads, removed loads and transferred loads to minimize the total cost of substation power purchase, available but unused renewable penalty, and demand responses.

Abstract: An HVAC controller may be programmed using a mobile device that includes a touch screen display configured to display information and to permit a user to enter information, a network connection configured to communicate with a remote server that is itself in operative communication with the HVAC controller, and a controller in operative communication with the touch screen display and the network connection. The controller may be configured to receive one or more messages related to the operation of the HVAC system via the network connection, and to display the one or more messages on the touch screen display.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, for optimizing a schedule of setpoint temperatures used in the control of an HVAC system are presented herein. A schedule of setpoint temperatures may be adjusted by small, incremental amounts so that the schedule migrates from the original schedule to a more energy-efficient schedule.

Abstract: A compensational control method includes the steps of: controlling a plurality of indoor air conditioning apparatuses to be in operation according to a target temperature; receiving continuously an operating parameter and an environmental datum from each of the indoor air conditioning apparatus; determining whether there is a specific indoor air conditioning apparatus that needs support; acquiring an adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus which is influential for the specific indoor air conditioning apparatus according to an influence form which is previously built; establishing a supportive strategy according to a supportable operation capability of the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus; and adjusting the operating parameter of the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus according to the supportive strategy. Therefore, the adjacent indoor air conditioning apparatus is provided to improve an ambient temperature of an area where the specific indoor air conditioning apparatus is installed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for tracking computing enthalpy measurements indicating abnormalities associated with operation of a heating, ventilating, and cooling (HVAC) system. In some implementations, a computer-implemented method includes: obtaining, from one or more sensors associated with the HVAC system, (i) temperature data including a source vent temperature measurement and a return vent temperature of the HVAC system, and (ii) humidity data including a source vent humidity measurement and a return vent humidity measurement of the HVAC system; computing an enthalpy measurement associated with operation of the HVAC system; determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates an efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system; and in response to determining that the computed enthalpy measurement indicates the efficiency issue associated with operation of the HVAC system, taking action related to the HVAC system.

Abstract: A building automation system may include a memory for storing a first geofence for a first building component and a second geofence for a second building component. A controller may be operably coupled to the memory and may be configured to cause an adjustment to operation of the first building component in response to a user's mobile device crossing the first geofence and may cause an adjustment to operation of the second building component in response to the user's mobile device crossing the second geofence. The controller may be configured to receive one or more current conditions and to adapt a size of the first geofence and/or a size of the second geofence based on the received one or more current conditions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods for using the geographic location of networked consumer electronics devices as indications of occupancy of a structure for purposes of automatically adjusting the temperature setpoint on a thermostatic HVAC control. At least one thermostat is located inside a structure and is used to control an HVAC system in the structure. At least one mobile electronic device is used to indicate the state of occupancy of the structure. The state of occupancy is used to alter the setpoint on the thermostatic HVAC control to reduce unneeded conditioning of unoccupied spaces.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium for managing thermostatically controlled loads (TLCs). The method includes acquiring data from a plurality of TCLs including at least thermal parameters associated with each TCL of the plurality of TCLs and a regulation signal data and prioritizing the plurality of TCLs. The prioritization is based on a contribution of each TCL to an overall service. The method further includes generating an optimization curve based on the prioritization, determining an optimization attribute associated with each TCL of the plurality of TCLs, and outputting the optimization attribute associated with each TCL for a regulation period to each TCL. The optimization curve has at least reward criteria as an optimization parameter.

Abstract: A control system for an HVAC system having at least one HVAC component, the control system comprising: a controller having a processor and a memory, the controller in signal communication with the at least one HVAC component, the controller configured to: determine a startup/shut-down setpoint and the time associated with a beginning or an end of a building occupancy period; determine a predicted weather condition for outside air at a location of the HVAC system; predict a set of indoor air conditions over the period from the current time until the building being occupied/unoccupied based on the determined setpoint and time and the predicted weather condition; and start/stop the at least one HVAC component when an actual room air condition approaches the predicted indoor air condition.

Abstract: A method of controlling tint of a tintable window to account for occupant comfort in a room of a building. The tintable window is between the interior and exterior of the building. The method predicts a tint level for the tintable window at a future time based on a penetration depth of direct sunlight through the tintable window into the room at the future time and space type in the room. The method also provides instructions over a network to transition tint of the tintable window to the tint level.

Abstract: In some embodiments, security and/or automation systems, collectively referred to as automation systems, may offer a user the comforts of automatically controlling HVAC settings based at least in part on an alarm. The automation system may provide automatically meet desired HVAC conditions at select times and provide a more comfortable living situation. In some embodiments, the increased comfort level may enable or ease household activities. For example, if a person sleeps with a cooler temperature, it may be harder for the person to get out of bed. But an automated HVAC system may adjust the temperature such that when a person desires to wake up, the temperature is comfortable and may ease a transition from day to night.

Abstract: Method, systems are provided for providing automated open-loop control of an airflow cooling system in an IHS (Information Handling System), where the open-loop control is automatically adjusted based on changes to the components installed by the IHS. An airflow impedance, providing an amount a component physically impedes airflow, is retrieved for a new component. An estimated airflow delivery to the installed location of the new component is determined and scaled based on the airflow impedance of the new component and based on the ability to bypass the new component with ventilated airflow. An airflow delivery target for the new component is determined based on the ambient air temperature available at the installed new component. The airflow delivery target is scaled based on the installed location of the new component. The airflow cooling system is operated to equalize the estimated airflow delivery to the new component with the airflow delivery target for new component.

Abstract: A smart-home device includes a user interface including an electronic display having a first display mode and a second display mode, the first display mode generally requiring more power than said second display mode. The device also includes a processing system in operative communication with one or more environmental sensors for determining at least one environmental condition. The device additionally includes at least one sensor configured to detect a physical closeness of a user to the at least one sensor. The processing system may be configured to cause the electronic display to be in the first display mode when a closeness threshold has been exceeded, where the processing system is further configured to automatically adjust the closeness threshold based at least in part on a historical plurality of physical closeness events as detected by the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) boiler controller is described herein. One HVAC boiler controller includes a memory and a processor configured to execute executable instructions stored in the memory to receive a weather forecast for an area in which the boiler of the HVAC system is located, receive a current outdoor temperature, determine a set point of the boiler based, at least in part, on the received weather forecast and the received current outdoor temperature, and adjust the set point of the boiler to the determined set point.

Abstract: The AUTOMATED CONTROL AND PARALLEL LEARNING HVAC APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“ACPLHVAC”) updates real time value function estimates through parallel and reinforcement learning, via ACPLHVAC components, by observing a defined state action space to maximize user Quality of Experience (QoE) and minimize associated energy required with regulating environmental spaces.

Abstract: A method and system for co-ordinating control of a plurality of sensorless devices. Each device includes a communication subsystem and configured to self-detect one or more device properties, the device properties resulting in output having one or more output properties. The method includes: detecting inputs including the one or more device properties of each device, correlating, for each device, the detected one or more device properties to the one or more output properties, and co-ordinating control of each of the devices to operate at least one of their respective device properties to co-ordinate one or more output properties for the combined output to achieve a setpoint. In some example embodiments, the setpoint can be fixed, calculated or externally determined.

Abstract: A temperature control system includes a blower impeller assembly that has a blower impeller, a motor coupled to and configured to drive the blower impeller, and a sensor that is coupled to the motor and configured to measure current drawn by the motor to maintain the blower impeller at a set angular speed. Further, the temperature control system includes a controller that is communicatively coupled to the sensor. The controller electronically detects at least one of a blockage in a vent coupled to the temperature control system and a malfunction of the blower impeller based on an amount of the current drawn by the motor to maintain the blower impeller at the set angular speed.

Abstract: A system for comfort based management of thermal systems, including residential and commercial buildings with active cooling and/or heating, is described. The system can operate without commissioning information, and with minimal occupant interactions, and can learn heat transfer and thermal comfort characteristics of the thermal systems so as to control the temperature thereof while minimizing energy consumption and maintaining comfort.

Abstract: A method for configuring a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system controller and an HVAC system controller are disclosed. The method includes displaying an installation profile icon on a user interface of the HVAC system controller, the installation profile icon representing an installation profile that includes one or more settings for one or more parameters. The HVAC system controller receives an input on the user interface of the HVAC system controller based on a selection of the installation profile icon. The method further includes setting the one or more parameters in a memory of the HVAC system controller based on the one or more settings for the one or more parameters in the installation profile in response to receiving the input.

Abstract: Controlling heating and cooling in a conditioned space utilizes a fluid circulating in a thermally conductive structure in fluid connection with a hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and a ground heat exchanger. Air is moved past the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger, the air having fresh air supply and stale air exhaust. Sensors located throughout the conditioned space send data to a controller. User input to the controller sets the desired set point temperature and humidity. Based upon the set point temperature and humidity and sensor data, the controller sends signals to various devices to manipulate the flow of the fluid and the air in order to achieve the desired set point temperature and humidity in the conditioned space. The temperature of the fluid is kept less than the dew point at the hydronic-to-air heat exchanger and the temperature of the fluid is kept greater than the dew point at the thermally conductive structure.

Abstract: An information terminal control method includes: (a) predicting whether an amount of power consumption in a shop exceeds a target value; (b) when the amount of power consumption in the shop is predicted to exceed the target value, causing a display of an information terminal to display a screen displaying a time period during which the amount of power consumption in the shop is predicted to exceed the target value; and (c) causing the display to display a screen displaying a message that presents an action to reduce the amount of power consumption in the time period.

Abstract: A HVAC controller includes a housing and one or more heat-generating components contained within the housing. The heat-generating components cause a temperature inside the housing to exceed a temperature outside the housing. The controller includes a temperature sensor configured to measure the temperature inside the housing and a controller event detector configured to detect, for each of the heat-generating components, a controller event that generates heat inside the housing. The controller further includes a temperature compensation module configured to identify a steady-state temperature gain associated with each of the detected controller events, to calculate a temperature offset using a summation of the steady-state temperature gains, and to determine the temperature of the building zone outside the housing by subtracting the temperature offset from the temperature measured inside the housing.

Abstract: A thermostat update and copying system can include a first thermostat having a processor, a transmitter, a storage area. In some embodiments, the processor generates update data, the storage area maintains the update data, and the transmitter transmits the update data to multiple target devices. In some embodiments, the target devices include mobile devices capable of running applications to receive the update data and/or at least a second thermostat wherein the second thermostat is activated and update data is transmitted by the transceiver to the second thermostat.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, methods, and related computer program products for optimizing a schedule of setpoint temperatures used in the control of an HVAC system. The systems disclosed include an energy management system in operation with an intelligent, network-connected thermostat located at a structure. The thermostat includes a schedule of setpoint temperatures that is used to control an HVAC system associated with a structure in which the thermostat is located. The schedule of setpoint temperatures is continually adjusted by small, unnoticeable amounts so that the schedule migrates from the original schedule to an optimal schedule. The optimal schedule may be optimal in terms of energy consumption or some other terms.

Abstract: A temperature sensor device has a digital interface with a first memory storing a current temperature value which can be read through the digital interface and a second memory storing a rate of temperature change value which can be read through the digital interface. Such a temperature sensor can be preferably used in a system with a cooling fan and a processor coupled with the digital interface of the temperature sensor. The processor is operable to control the cooling fan based on temperature measurement values and the rate of change in temperature retrieved from the temperature sensor through the digital interface.

Abstract: Various arrangements are provided related to thermal energy coordination systems. A thermal energy coordination system may analyze solar irradiance measurements to identify an overgeneration solar energy event. The system may activate a thermal energy storage event to coincide with the overgeneration solar energy event at the plurality of solar panels. The system, which can include many network-enabled smart thermostats, may control air conditioners or other HVAC system within various structures. The system may determine a time to initiate cooling and a temperature to which to cool the structure based upon the received indication of the thermal energy storage event. Cooling may be initiated by the system based on the determined time and the determined temperature in response to the received indication of the thermal energy storage event.

Abstract: A method for adaptively adjusting a threshold used to detect the presence of a living being may include receiving a first set of sensor measurements acquired by a passive infrared (PIR) sensor during a time period when the living being is not expected to be present in a space monitored by the PIR sensor. Here, the sensor measurements may depend on one or more noise sensitivity characteristics of the PIR sensor. The method may include adjusting a threshold that may indicate a presence of the living being based on the first set of sensor measurements. The method may then receive a second set of sensor measurements acquired by the PIR sensor and detect the presence of the living being when at least one of the second set of sensor measurements exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A real time thermal monitoring and prediction system (TMPS) is provided for use in monitoring and operating a transformer. The TMPS may be used to estimate a maximum loading level for the transformer over a future time period using a dynamic thermal model for the transformer and ambient temperature forecasts. The transformer may be loaded to its maximum loading level during power congestion or a service restoration process.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques and systems for controlling, from a mobile device, an environmental control system including at least one appliance for influencing one or more environmental parameters at a premises. The mobile device comprising a user-interactive application for sending commands to the environmental control system. The application having a foreground state for controlling the environmental control system based on user-adjustable parameters; and a background state, in which user notifications are generated. A method can comprise: when the application is in a background state: determining the mobile device has crossed a geolocation threshold; determining an environmental parameter of the premises satisfies a condition; displaying a notification to a user, comprising an option to initiate a command to control an appliance; detecting the user has selected an option; and sending a message to effect the command to the environmental control system.

Abstract: An air conditioner performs air conditioning on the basis of an intake temperature and a first set temperature. An air conditioning control device includes a controller that switches between an ON state and an OFF state of a signal output on the basis of an indoor temperature and the set temperature. A temperature measuring device measures the indoor temperature. A connecting device estimates a user set temperature based on the ON-OFF state of the signal output of the air conditioning control device and the indoor temperature acquired from the temperature measuring device, calculates a second set temperature on the basis of an intake temperature acquired from the air conditioner and an indoor temperature difference between the estimated set temperature and the indoor temperature, and transmits the calculated set temperature to the indoor unit. The air conditioner updates the stored set temperature to the set temperature received from the connecting device.

Abstract: A thermostat my include a stored setpoint schedule, temperature sensors providing temperature sensor measurements; and a processing system configured to control an HVAC system based at least in part on the setpoint temperature and the temperature sensor measurements. The processing system may be configured to control the HVAC system by receiving an indication of a first time interval, where energy is available to the HVAC system at a first rate during the first time interval, energy is available to the HVAC system at a second rate during a second time interval that is outside of the first time interval, and the first rate is higher than the second rate; identifying a first one or more setpoints in the plurality of setpoints of the stored setpoint schedule that occur in the first time interval; and decreasing a temperature component of at least one of the first one or more setpoints.

Abstract: A mechanism for indicating ambient temperature of an enclosure from temperatures determined within the enclosure. The temperatures may be obtained from two or more sensors at each of two or more locations within the enclosure. The enclosure may include heat generating components such as electronics. The enclosure may also incorporate one or more dynamic components that emanate sudden amounts of heat. The present mechanism compensates for such heat sources with a compensating scheme.

Abstract: A system and method of determining a limit fault in an HVAC unit the HVAC unit in electrical communication with an HVAC system controller, by operating the system controller to determine whether an interruption duration of time exceeds an interruption limit, operating the system controller to determine whether a cycle duration of time is less than or equal to a first cycle limit, wherein the cycle duration of time is indicative of an amount of time between consecutive interruptions of power, and generating an alert signal if the interruption duration of time of the consecutive interruptions of power exceeds the interruption limit and the cycle duration of time is less than or equal to the first cycle limit.

Abstract: A control system for a variable transmittance optical filter assembly includes a controller in communicatively coupled to a pair of load terminals, and a memory communicatively coupled to the controller and having encoded thereon statements and instructions executable by the controller to transition the optical filter assembly between operating states when coupled to the pair of load terminals. The controller is operable to perform any one or more of: allowing the optical filter assembly to transition to a dark state by shorting the load terminals together, maintaining the optical filter assembly in a hold mode by applying a pulse width modulated voltage signal across the load terminals, and transitioning the optical filter assembly between operative states by applying a voltage signal having voltage pulses of opposite polarities to the load terminals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for synchronizing an HVAC control system. A method, includes: a synchronization sequence including: reading a base time from an internal clock at a first time and saving the base time; measuring an elapsed time interval, from the first time to a second time, by counting an external clock using a frequency counter; and then resetting the internal clock to the base time plus the elapsed time regulating user access to an interactive user interface of a programmable thermostat, each user identified by a personal identification number associated with a user type, wherein each personal identification number is recognized by the programmable thermostat as belonging to an access level and users identified as building owners or maintenance personnel are granted further system access.