Abstract: A system to notify a concerned or responsible party of a change in system status of one or multiple home comfort systems includes a web server connected to the Internet. The web server is programmed to access the one or multiple home comfort systems. The remote access module monitors the state of the one or multiple home comfort systems and generates a message triggered by the change in system status. The remote access module sends the message to the web server. The web server converts the message to a notification. A concerned or responsible party receiving device allows the concerned or responsible party to receive the notification of the change in system status related to the one or multiple home comfort systems via the web server.

Abstract: A system allows a consumer to remotely access the status and settings of multiple home comfort systems via the Internet. The system comprises, a web server connected to the Internet. The web server is programmed to access the multiple home comfort systems and has a data storage device, a connection to the Internet to communicate with the consumer, and a messaging gateway coupled to a network to communicate with the multiple home comfort systems. At least one remote access module is connected to multiple home comfort systems. The remote access module communications with the web server via the network, and the messaging gateway. A consumer Internet device is connected to the Internet to allow the consumer to communicate with the web server, wherein the consumer can remotely access and control the multiple home comfort systems via the web server.

Abstract: A system allows a consumer to remotely access the status and settings of multiple home comfort systems by telephone. The system comprises a web server connected to the Internet. The web server is programmed to access the multiple home comfort systems. The web server has a data storage device, a connection to the Internet to communicate with the consumer, and a messaging gateway coupled to a network to communicate with the multiple home comfort systems. An integrated voice response (“IVR”) system is connected to a telephone network and to the web server to communicate with the consumer. The IVR generates voice prompts to a consumer's telephone and to receive responses from the consumer's telephone. The IVR acts as a consumer telephone to web server interface wherein the consumer can remotely access and control the multiple home comfort systems from the consumer's telephone.

Abstract: A method of setting up a remotely controlled wireless thermostat system for regulating heating and cooling a building. A radio equipped pager is connected to the programmable controller of the thermostat and a self test is conducted to determine if the system can successfully communicate with the service providers network at a first low power pager output. If not, the power output of the pager is incrementally increased within an acceptable output power range until such time that successful communication is established with the network. This power setting is placed in memory for use thereafter in communicating with the network.

Abstract: The effectiveness of a communication system for broadcasting curtailment messages to comfort system thermostats is enhanced by conducting an initial test broadcast for the purposes of compiling a list of those users that did not receive the test broadcast. This list is then used in combination with a later broadcast of a curtailment message to also send the curtailment message to those individuals on the list by a more robust communication system to ensure that a greater number of users will receive the broadcast message.