Patent ID: 8019567
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: F24F,G01K,G01M

Abstract:
1. A system for evaluating changes in the operational efficiency of an HVAC system over time comprising: at least one HVAC control system associated with a first structure that receives temperature measurements from at least a first structure conditioned by at least one HVAC system, and receives status of said HVAC system; one or more processors that receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said HVAC system and compare said temperature measurements from said first structure, wherein said one or more processors compares the inside temperature of said first structure and the outside temperature over time to derive an estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure when said HVAC system is in a first state of repair; and one or more databases that store at least said temperature measurements obtained from said first structure over time, wherein said one or more processors compares an inside temperature recorded inside the first structure with said estimation for the rate of change in inside temperature of said first structure to determine whether the operational efficiency of the HVAC system has decreased over time; and wherein if said operational efficiency has decreased, said one or more processors analyzes the changes in the operational efficiency over time to suggest a cause of degradation.