Patent ID: 9342082
Filing Date: 2016-05-17
CPC Classification: F24F,G05B,G05D,G06Q

Claim Text:
1. A method for encouraging a user to adopt energy-efficient settings on a network-connected thermostat installed in an enclosure, the method comprising: at a first thermostat installed in a first enclosure, the first thermostat having at least one temperature sensor, receiving from a first user a first HVAC schedule for use on said first thermostat, said first thermostat being operated according to said first HVAC schedule, determining at least one energy efficiency performance metric based on said operation of said first thermostat and based on associated temperature trajectories of said first enclosure; receiving, at a first network-connected device associated with said first thermostat, a request to share said first HVAC schedule and said at least one energy efficiency performance metric; at a cloud server, receiving said first HVAC schedule and said at least one energy efficiency performance metric; receiving, at said cloud server, a request from a second user to obtain one or more informational items for reducing energy usage in a second thermostat installed in a second enclosure; determining that said second enclosure is in a common geographical area as said first enclosure; downloading said first HVAC schedule to said second thermostat installed in said second enclosure; and operating said second thermostat according to said first HVAC schedule.