Patent ID: 8090477
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: F24F,G05B,G05D,H02J,Y02B,Y04S

Abstract:
1. A system for controlling plug-in air conditioners and heaters comprising: at least one load control device at a first location comprising a temperature sensor, a microprocessor, the load control device configured to connect to a first electrical outlet and to connect to a plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, the load control device further configured to connect or disconnect electrical power to the plug-in air conditioner or the portable heater, and wherein said microprocessor is configured to communicate over a network; one or more processors remotely located from the load control device that receive measurements of outside temperatures from at least one source other than said load control device and compare said temperature measurements from said first location with said measurements of outside temperatures; one or more databases that store at least said temperature measurements obtained from said first location; and where said load control device is located inside the space conditioned by said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater, and wherein said microprocessor in said load control device receives at least one operational instruction from said one or more processors via said network instructing the load control device to disconnect power to said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater; and wherein the one or more processors compare the rate of change in temperature in said conditioned space based on measurements obtained by said temperature sensor in said load control device with a predicted rate of change to determine whether said plug-in air conditioner or portable heater has been connected to a second electrical outlet that bypasses said load control device.