Patent ID: 6480803
Filing Date: 2002-11-12
Classification: G05D

Abstract:
A method of load shedding that includes the steps ofmounting a load shedding thermostat within a building, said thermostat being arranged to control heating and cooling equipment within the building and having an addressable processor for communicating with a power provider; determining the normal operating load of the equipment prior to the initiation of a load shedding period by the relationship: QL=m(Toâˆ’Ti)+b whereQL is the normal operating load on the building, To is the measured outdoor temperature Ti is the measured indoor temperature m and b are parameters relating to the building heat loss and load characteristics; providing a code input signal to the processor to initiate a load shedding period during which the normal operating load is reduced by a given percentage; determining the thermostat load shedding temperature setting required during the load shedding period needed to reduce the normal operating load by said given percentage; and placing the load shedding temperature into the thermostat.