Abstract: A building automation system having: a plurality of wireless remote devices, each wireless remote device including a wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving digital information and an interface for energy management which can read a sensor, such as a temperature sensor, a flow sensor, an electronically readable gas or electric meter, or provide an output, such as a relay driver; and a controller having a wireless transceiver for digital communication with the wireless remote devices and a computer interface. Each wireless remote device includes an identifier to identify the type of interface present in the remote device and a serial number to allow the controller to communicate exclusively with any individual remote device. The controller interface allows the controller to communicate with a computer, and ultimately with a server to allow monitoring and control of the system from virtually anywhere in the world.

Abstract: To anticipate potential failure of a temperature modification device (e.g., heating, ventilating and air conditioning equipment used in a commercial building), an efficiency value representing the ability of the temperature modification device to change temperature in a predetermined zone is repeatedly computed. When one of these values is computed, it is used in determining whether the ability of the temperature modification device to change temperature in the predetermined zone has deteriorated over time. This is done by comparing a current efficiency value with a previous efficiency value. In response to a determined deterioration exceeding a predetermined tolerance, a control signal for initiating inspection of the temperature modification device is communicated, thereby enabling the device to be serviced in response to a detected operating condition of the device and before actual failure of the device.

Abstract: Control data to change any of various parameters in energy management systems that control energy consumption devices, such as heating and air conditioning equipment, is transmitted from a remote location, through a paging network, to a plurality of paging data receivers connected to respective energy management systems. The paging data receivers respond to a common call and pass the accompanying control data to their respective energy management systems, which individually react depending on whether one or more predetermined addresses is/are within the control data. A response to the remote site can be provided by an energy management system through the commercial telephone network.

Abstract: Power demand is monitored and temperature control effected in response. If monitored power demand is below a predetermined power demand limit, a selected desired temperature setpoint is used as the temperature to be attained. If monitored power demand is above the power demand limit, a modified temperature setpoint is used. The modified temperature setpoint preferably is determined to maintain a still comfortable temperature while also reducing power demand.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a first triac having terminals to which the control wire of a heater gas inlet valve solenoid or other heating element is connected and the apparatus further includes a second triac to which the control wire of an air conditioner compressor or other cooling element is connected. The triacs are actuated by respective optical coupling devices. One or the other of the optical coupling devices is selected by a switch to indicate whether the heater or air conditioner mode is selected. Whichever optical coupling device, and thus whichever mode, is selected, a timer circuit provides a selectable timing signal to cause the selected optical coupling device to periodically actuate or deactuate the associated triac to thereby activate or deactivate the solenoid or compressor (or other element) associated with the triac.