Systems and methods of predicting energy usage

A method for operating a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“HVAC”) system includes determining a current temperature of the enclosed space and receiving a first comfort temperature. The method further including determining, based on a selection of a time period, a first consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, wherein the first consumption value is determined based at least on a first predicted value and a second predicted value, the first predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature from the current temperature and the second predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to, upon conditioning the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature, maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to operating a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) system. More specifically, this disclosure relates to a system and method of predicting the energy usage of an HVAC system based on a predicted condition of an enclosed space.

BACKGROUND

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (“HVAC”) systems can be used to regulate the environment within an enclosed space. Typically, an air blower is used to pull air from the enclosed space into the HVAC system through ducts and push the air back into the enclosed space through additional ducts after conditioning the air (e.g., heating, cooling or dehumidifying the air). Various types of HVAC systems, such as residential and commercial, may be used to provide conditioned air for enclosed spaces.

Each HVAC system typically includes a HVAC controller that directs the operation of the HVAC system. The HVAC controller can direct the operation of a conditioning unit, such as an air conditioner or a heater, to control the temperature of the enclosed space.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

According to one embodiment, a method for a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“HVAC”) system, the method includes determining, by at least one controller of the HVAC system, a current temperature of the enclosed space and receiving, by the at least one controller, a first comfort temperature indicating a first desired temperature of the enclosed space. The method further including determining, by the at least one controller, based on a selection of a time period, a first consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, wherein the first consumption value is determined based at least on a first predicted value and a second predicted value, the first predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature from the current temperature, the first predicted value being calculated based at least on a predicted condition of the enclosed space and the first comfort temperature, and the second predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to, upon conditioning the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature, maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, the second predicted value being calculated based at least on the first comfort temperature and forecasted weather data

According to another embodiment, a controller for a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“HVAC”) system, the controller comprises processing circuitry and a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the controller to determine a current temperature of an enclosed space and receive a first comfort temperature indicating a first desired temperature of the enclosed space. The controller further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to determine, based on a selection of a time period, a first consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, wherein the first consumption value is determined based at least on a first predicted value and a second predicted value, the first predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature from the current temperature, the first predicted value being calculated based at least on a predicted condition of the enclosed space and the first comfort temperature, and the second predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to, upon conditioning the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature, maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, the second predicted value being calculated based at least on the first comfort temperature and forecasted weather data.

According to yet another embodiment, a heating, ventilation, and air condition (“HVAC”) system operable to condition an enclosed space includes one or more heating components operable to heat the enclosed space when the HVAC system is in a heating mode, one or more cooling components operable to cool the enclosed space when the HVAC system is in a cooling mode, and a controller. The controller further includes processing circuitry and a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions that, when executed by the processing circuitry, cause the controller to determine a current temperature of an enclosed space and receive a first comfort temperature indicating a first desired temperature of the enclosed space. The controller further comprises instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the controller to determine, based on a selection of a time period, a first consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, wherein the first consumption value is determined based at least on a first predicted value and a second predicted value, the first predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature from the current temperature, the first predicted value being calculated based at least on a predicted condition of the enclosed space and the first comfort temperature, and the second predicted value being indicative of an amount of energy required to, upon conditioning the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature, maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period, the second predicted value being calculated based at least on the first comfort temperature and forecasted weather data.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more technical advantages. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may predict energy consumption for an HVAC unit operating at a comfort temperature for a certain time period. As another example, an embodiment of the present invention may select one of a plurality of comfort temperatures to operate at based on a comparison of predicted energy consumption for a particular period of time. This disclosure recognizes certain advantages of predicting such information. For example, predicting energy consumption may result in an operator operating his/her HVAC system more efficiently, which in turn may result in a decreased demand of a supplying power grid. When a large number of HVAC systems use the energy-saving techniques described herein, the decrease in energy demand may have a significant effect in the aggregate. Another advantage of certain embodiments includes predicting energy consumption for different comfort temperatures, determining a cost associated with each predicted energy consumption, and enabling the user to select a comfort temperature based on cost. Certain embodiments may include none, some, or all of the above technical advantages. One or more other technical advantages may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the figures, descriptions, and claims included herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Conventional HVAC systems are not currently configured to predict future energy consumption and/or the cost of energy consumption. Indeed, the traditional way of determining these values is a guestimate based on historical weather data and past utility bills. For example, in order to estimate how much electricity an operator may consume by operating his/her HVAC system in June 2019 in Dallas, Tex., the operator may rely on a previous electricity bill for the month of June 2018 in Dallas, Tex. and add or subtract kilowatts based on whether June 2019 is forecasted to be hotter or cooler than June 2018. Such estimation may be inaccurate for a number of reasons. For example, the HVAC unit could be experiencing issues in June 2019 that it did not experience in June 2018. As another example, the energy rate may be different in June 2019 than it was in June 2018. As yet another example, operator may have decided to operate the HVAC system at a different comfort set point in June 2019 than he/she had in June 2018. Thus, such method of predicting energy consumption and/or cost of energy consumption can be improved.

An energy consumer may desire a more accurate prediction of energy consumption and/or cost of energy consumption for any number of reasons. As an example, a consumer may wish to know an accurate estimation of energy consumption costs for financial planning purposes. As another example, a consumer may wish to determine whether he/she is operating his/her HVAC system in a cost effective and/or energy efficient manner. Today, electricity consumers generally operate their HVAC systems based on an evaluation of comfort and cost concerns. For example, an individual who is comfortable in temperatures between 70° F.-74° F. may determine that, for cost and efficiency purposes, it is in his/her best interest to operate the HVAC system at the high or low end of the comfort range in view of the ambient temperature (e.g., operate the HVAC system at a comfort temperature of 74° F. during the summertime and a comfort temperature of 70° F. during the wintertime). An individual may make these determinations based on a general understanding that it is costlier (in terms of energy consumption and economics) to achieve a particular comfort temperature during peak season relative to non-peak season due to the increased load placed on his/her HVAC system. This generalized understanding, however, may cause a person to cede comfort when doing so has minimal or no effect on the actual cost of electricity.

Currently, HVAC systems are unable to predict the cost to the consumer for operating an HVAC system at one temperature for a particular time period. For example, conventional HVAC systems cannot predict the cost to operate a first user's HVAC system at a comfort temperature of 73° F. for the month of June. Conventional HVAC systems also lack the intelligence to predict the cost of operating an HVAC system at one temperature for a specific period of time as compared to operating the HVAC system at another temperature for the same time period. For example, conventional HVAC systems are currently unable to predict that operating a system at a comfort temperature of 75° F. for the month of June rather than operating the HVAC system at a comfort temperature of 73° F. may result is electricity savings of $75.00. As another example, conventional HVAC systems are currently unable to predict that operating an HVAC system at a comfort temperature of 75° F. for the month of August rather than operating the HVAC system at a comfort temperature of 73° F. may only result in electricity savings of $5.00.

One advantage of the present disclosure is to predict energy consumption and calculate electricity costs based on the predicted energy consumption such that the consumer may determine whether an occupant's comfort is worth the cost to supply such comfort. As a result of providing consumers with predicted electricity cost data, consumers may decide to operate their devices (e.g., an HVAC system) more efficiently (e.g., by increasing or decreasing their comfort temperatures during peak seasons). As a result, demand for power may decrease, thereby relieving stress placed on the power grids supplying such energy.

Another advantage realized by the present disclosure is that an electricity consumer may determine whether to take advantage of an electricity provider promotion that seeks to compensate a consumer for decreased energy consumption. This may be the case, for example, when electricity providers attempt to alleviate stress on a power grid by encouraging consumers to set their thermostats to X for a period of Y in exchange for $Z. Previously, consumers had no means to gauge whether $Z is sufficient reparation for the discomfort they would endure by setting their thermostats to X. Consumers may now, using the system and methods disclosed herein, make a more informed decision. For example, using the system and methods disclosed herein, a consumer may estimate the cost savings resulting from setting their thermostat to X and calculate a total incentive value by summing together $Z and the estimated cost savings (difference between predicted cost of operating the HVAC system at X° F. rather than W° F.). In some cases, the consumer may determine that the total incentive value is not worth setting the thermostat to X for Y (e.g., the month of June). As an example, the consumer may determine that it is not in his/her best interest to increase his/her comfort temperature by 7° F. (e.g., from 73° F. to 80° F.) for an entire month if the total incentive value is $18.00 (e.g., if Z is $10.00 and the estimated cost savings is $8.00). In other cases, the consumer may determine that the total incentive value is worth setting the thermostat to X for Y. For example, the consumer may determine to accept the promotion of the electricity provider when the total incentive value is $45.00 (e.g., if Z is $40.00 and the estimated cost savings is $5.00) and the consumer must only increase his/her comfort temperature by 2° F. (from 73° F. to 75° F.).

Generally, this disclosure recognizes configuring an HVAC system to predict energy consumption based on forecasted weather data and desired comfort temperatures. Upon predicting energy consumption, the HVAC system may calculate estimated electricity charges based on the then-current rate of electricity. The HVAC system disclosed herein may further calculate savings associated with changes in comfort temperature and/or determine an energy efficient and/or cost-effective operation schedule for the HVAC system in view of the desired comfort temperature.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of an HVAC system100. HVAC system100includes a return duct102, a return plenum104, a supply duct106and a supply plenum108. Additionally, HVAC system100includes conditioning systems for cooling and heating air in an enclosed space140. The conditioning systems include a cooling system or cooling source110and a heating system or heating source115. The cooling system110can include a refrigeration circuit having a compressor system, evaporator coils and condenser coils fluidly coupled together. The cooling system110represents a single cooling stage of the HVAC system100. Given the teachings herein, one skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure also applies to other HVAC embodiments having more than one cooling stage. The heating system115can include a gas furnace, electric heating elements, or even a combination thereof. The heating system115can also be multi-staged.

The HVAC system100also includes an indoor air blower120, one or more sensors130, and an HVAC controller150. Given the teachings herein, one skilled in the art will also understand that HVAC system100may include additional components and devices that are not presently illustrated or discussed but are typically included in an HVAC system, such as, a power supply, an expansion valve, etc. Some illustrated components of HVAC system100may be contained within a single enclosure (e.g., a cabinet). In one embodiment, HVAC system100is a commercial system, such as a rooftop unit. HVAC system100can also be a residential system. In some embodiments, the heating and cooling sources for the HVAC system100do not operate until activated for conditioning.

The cooling system110, the heating system115and the indoor air blower120may be conventional devices that are typically employed in HVAC systems. At least some of the operation of HVAC system100can be controlled by the HVAC controller150based on inputs from various sensors of the HVAC system100. For example, the HVAC controller150can cause the indoor air blower120to move air across the cooling system110and into the enclosed space.

Sensors130are configured to sense information about the enclosed space and/or components of HVAC system100. As an example, sensor130may include a temperature sensor configured to sense the current temperature of an enclosed space. As another example, sensor130may include a pressure sensor configured to sense the discharge pressure of a compressor of HVAC system100. As yet another example, sensor130may include an occupancy status sensor configured to sense whether the enclosed space is occupied (e.g., by persons and/or animals). Information sensed by sensors130may be sent to controller150in some embodiments. In other embodiments, information sensed by sensors130may be sent to one or more cloud platforms (e.g., cloud platform160). User interface150is configured to be an interface between a user and HVAC system100. User interface150can be an HVAC device that has a primary function of communicating between HVAC system100and the user. In some embodiments, user interface150is a non-HVAC device, such as a smart phone, that includes an application which allows communication between a user and HVAC system100. There may be multiple user interfaces140for HVAC system100. In some embodiments, a temperature sensor130aand user interface150can also be conventional devices. In one embodiment, temperature sensor130ais a thermostat that also functions as a user interface for HVAC system100.

HVAC controller150may include one or more processors (e.g., processor330of controller300), such as microprocessors, configured to direct the operation of HVAC system100. Additionally, HVAC controller150may include an interface (e.g., interface310of controller300) and a memory (e.g., memory320of controller300) coupled thereto. The interface may include multiple ports for transmitting and receiving data from at least other components or devices of the HVAC system100, such as cooling system110, heating system115, blower120, and sensors130. The interface may be further configured to receive input from one or more sources (e.g., an operator of HVAC system100, a manufacturer of HVAC system100). As an example, the interface may receive one or more comfort temperatures indicating a desired temperature of an enclosed space (e.g., enclosed space140). As another example, the interface may receive one or more time periods. As contemplated herein, a time period may be defined in various manners such as a period of hours for one or more particular days and/or a range of time as identified in terms of days, weeks, months, or years. In some embodiments, each time period is associated with a particular comfort temperature. For example, the interface may receive a first comfort temperature of 70° F. associated with a first time period of one week. The one or more values received via the interface may be saved to a memory of HVAC controller150. The memory of controller150may be a conventional memory that is constructed to store data and computer programs, including data and programs to provide functionality as disclosed herein. As an example, HVAC controller may be configured to save the values indicted in TABLE 1 below:

As illustrated inFIG. 1, HVAC controller150is coupled to the various components of the HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the connections therebetween are through a wired-connection. A conventional cable and contacts may be used to couple the HVAC controller150to the various components of HVAC system100via the controller interface. In other embodiments, a wireless connection may also be employed to provide at least some of the connections. HVAC controller150may also be communicably coupled to one or more cloud platforms160configured to store and/or execute instructions corresponding to one or more functions disclosed herein.

In one embodiment, the HVAC controller150is configured to operate both the cooling system110and the heating system115of the HVAC system100based on one or more comfort temperatures. As such, HVAC controller150and/or cloud platform160is configured to determine if either a heat source or a cooling source for the HVAC system is needed. As will be explained in further detail below, controller150may operate components of HVAC system100according to a user's selection of one or more of a comfort temperature and a time period. In other embodiments, controller150may operate components of HVAC system100according to a difference in the energy consumption values associated with two different comfort temperatures.

As disclosed inFIG. 1, one or more components of HVAC system100may be communicably coupled to cloud platform160. Cloud platform may include, as depicted inFIG. 1, at least one storage device162, at least one processor164, and at least one interface166. In some embodiments, storage device162stores computer-readable instructions for executing one or more functions described herein. Processor164of cloud platform160may execute any, some, or all of the instructions stored to storage device162. Interface166may be configured to send and/or receive information. As an example, interface166may receive information from components of HVAC system100(e.g., sensors130, controller150) in order to determine, based on a time period, an energy consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain a comfort temperature. As another example, interface166may send information (e.g., operation schedule of HVAC system100) to components of HVA system100(e.g., to controller150).

As will be described in more detail below in reference to the method200ofFIG. 2, this disclosure recognizes an intelligent HVAC system operable to predict energy consumption in an enclosed space (e.g., enclosed space140) for a time period. As described herein, HVAC system100dynamically predicts the energy consumption in an enclosed space for a time period based on a predicted condition of the enclosed space. In some embodiments, predicting energy consumption may comprise determining the energy consumption required to condition the enclosed space to the comfort temperature and determining the energy consumption required to keep the enclosed space at the comfort temperature for the time period.

In some embodiments, HVAC system100is able to predict energy consumption by dynamically predicting a condition of enclosed space140at a future time. In some embodiments, predicting a condition of an enclosed space may be made by implementing systems and methods described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/967,848. Accordingly, the disclosure of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/967,848 is hereby incorporated by reference. In other embodiments, predicting a condition of an enclosed space may be made using the existing logic of HVAC controller150. For example, HVAC controller150may use the logic that dictates regular operation of HVAC system100in order to predict energy consumption. As recognized herein, “the logic that dictates regular operation of HVAC system100” refers to the logic that an HVAC system100implements in order to maintain a comfort temperature within an enclosed space. Such logic may vary by manufacturer. For example, some HVAC manufacturers may program HVAC system100to operate based on a proportional and/or integral error determined by the system. Accordingly, this disclosure recognizes that existing HVAC logic may be used in conjunction with forecasted data to predict an energy consumption value associated with a particular comfort temperature. In some instances, this prediction is additionally based on system modeling. The prediction may account for energy usage associated with driving HVAC system100to a comfort temperature from the current temperature and maintaining the comfort temperature for a particular period of time.

HVAC system100may also be configured to determine an economic value for the energy consumption value. The economic value may be based on a predicted energy consumption value and an energy rate. Energy rate data may be received from any suitable source including but not limited to an operator or HVAC system100, an energy provider of HVAC system100(e.g., utility company), and/or a manufacturer of HVAC system100.

In certain embodiments, HVAC system100may determine a second energy consumption value required to maintain the enclosed space at a second selected comfort temperature for the time period. This may be beneficial when, for example, an operator seeks to determine whether it is more energy efficient and/or cost effective to operate HVAC system100at a different temperature. HVAC system100may also be configured to determine an economic value for the difference in the energy consumption values corresponding to each selected comfort temperature. For example, HVAC system100may be able to determine that it will cost $0.75 more to operate the HVAC system at the first comfort temperature than it would to operate the HVAC system at the second comfort temperature for the same time period. In some embodiments, HVAC system100automatically determines to operate HVAC system100at a first comfort temperature in response to determining that a difference in energy consumption, calculated based on predicted values of energy consumption corresponding to the first comfort temperature and the second comfort temperature, is less than a predetermined threshold (e.g., 50 kWh, $3.00). In some embodiments, controller150may further store (e.g., in memory320of controller300) one or more predetermined values that may be used to make such determinations. Accordingly, this disclosure recognizes operation an HVAC system based on predicted energy consumption values.

FIG. 2illustrates a method of operation for HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the method200may be implemented by at least one controller of HVAC system (e.g., controller150ofFIG. 1). In some embodiments, methods200and220are stored on computer readable medium, such as a memory of controller150(e.g., memory320ofFIG. 3), as a series of operating instructions that direct the operation of a processor (e.g., processor330ofFIG. 3). In other embodiments, method300is implement using components of cloud computing platform160(e.g., storage162and processor164).

FIG. 2aillustrates a method of operation for an HVAC system (e.g., HVAC system100ofFIG. 1). This disclosure recognizes that one or more steps of method200may be performed by a controller of the HVAC system (e.g., controller150of HVAC system100). The method200may begin at step201and proceed to step202. At step202, HVAC system100determines a current temperature of enclosed space140. HVAC system100may determine the current temperature of enclosed space140based on information received by sensor130. For example, HVAC system100may determine that the current temperature of the enclosed space is 75° F. based on data sensed and relayed to controller150by sensor130. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to a step204upon determining the current temperature.

At step204, HVAC system100receives a first comfort temperature (e.g., 71° F.) indicating a first desired temperature of enclosed space140. As described above, the first comfort temperature may be received by an interface of controller150. In some embodiments, the interface receives the first comfort temperature based on input from an operator of HVAC system100. In other embodiments, the interface receives the first comfort temperature based on input from a manufacturer of HVAC system100. The method200may proceed to a step206upon receiving the first comfort temperature.

At step206, HVAC system100determines a first consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the first comfort temperature for a particular time period. In some embodiments, determination of the first consumption value is based on an operator's selection of a time period saved to a memory of controller150(e.g., memory320of controller150). In other embodiments, determination of the first consumption value is based on an operator's input of a new time period (i.e., a time period not saved to a memory of controller150). As described above, the first consumption value may be determined based on at least a first predicted value and a second predicted value, wherein the first predicted value is indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature from the current temperature and the second predicted value is indicative of an amount of energy required to, upon conditioning the enclosed space to the first comfort temperature, maintain the first comfort temperature for the time period. In certain embodiments, the first predicted value is calculated based at least on a predicted condition of the enclosed space and the first comfort temperature. As described above, the predicted condition of the enclosed space may be determined based on systems and methods described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/967,848. In some embodiments, the second predicted value is calculated based at least on the first comfort temperature and forecasted weather data corresponding to the time period. In some embodiments, forecasted weather data is received via the interface of controller150from one or more sources that may include the following: operator input, the National Weather Service, and forecasting applications such as AccuWeather.

In further explanation of step206, the following example is provided. An HVAC system operator may desire to run the HVAC unit at a temperature of 71° F. for the entire month of July 2019. In such example, 71° F. is the first comfort temperature and the month of July 2019 is the time period. Controller150may predict a consumption value (e.g., an amount of energy) indicating the amount of energy required to maintain a temperature of 71° F. for July 2019. In order to make such prediction, controller150may first determine an amount of energy required to condition enclosed space140from 75° F. (current temperature) to 71° F. (first comfort temperature) and, upon making such determination, further determine an amount of energy required to maintain 71° F. within enclosed space140for the month of July 2019. As described above, determining an amount of energy required to maintain the comfort temperature (e.g., 71° F.) for a time period (e.g., July 2019) may be based on forecasted weather data. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to a step208in response to determining the first consumption value.

At step208, HVAC system100determines an economic value corresponding to the first energy consumption value. Such determination may be made by controller150. In certain embodiments, HVAC system100uses current electricity rate information to determine the corresponding economic value. As described above, current rate information may be saved to controller150. In other embodiments, rate information may be obtained by controller150. For example, controller150may be programmed to store login credentials associated with an operator's electricity provider account and controller150may use these credentials to obtain current rate information for enclosed space140. Although this disclosure describes particular manners of obtaining rate information, this disclosure recognizes obtaining rate information from any suitable source. If at step206the first consumption value is determined to be 2000 kWh and the current rate is 9.3 cents per kWh, HVAC system100may calculate an economic value of $186.00 for the first energy consumption value. In other embodiments, the economic value may correspond to a number of utility credits. In some embodiments, the method200may proceed to an end step210. In other embodiments, the method200may proceed to step221ofFIG. 2B.

FIG. 2Billustrates a method of operation for an HVAC system (e.g., HVAC system100ofFIG. 1). This disclosure recognizes that one or more steps of method220may be performed by a controller of the HVAC system (e.g., controller150of HVAC system100). The method220may begin at a step221and proceed to a step222. At step222, HVAC system100receives a second comfort temperature (e.g., 72° F.) indicating a desired temperature of enclosed space140. The second comfort temperature (e.g., 72° F.) is a temperature different than the first comfort temperature (e.g., 71° F.). The second comfort temperature may be received by an interface of controller150. In some embodiments, the interface receives the second comfort temperature based on input from an operator of HVAC system100. In other embodiments, the interface receives the second comfort temperature based on input from a manufacturer of HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the second comfort temperature may be derived from the first comfort temperature. As an example, the method may be pre-configured to analyze a plurality of second comfort temperatures within X degrees of the first comfort temperature. In an embodiment, if the first comfort temperature is 71° F. and X is configured to 2° F., the method may evaluate 69° F., 70° F., 72° F., and 73° F. as second comfort temperatures. The method220may proceed to a step224upon receiving the second comfort temperature.

At step224, HVAC system100determines a second consumption value indicating a predicted amount of energy required to maintain the second comfort temperature for a particular time period. In certain instances, the time period used in the determination made at step206is the same time period used in the determination made at step224. For example, an operator may wish to determine the cost to run HVAC system100at a comfort temperature of 72° F. for the entire month of July 2019. In such example, 72° F. is the second comfort temperature and the month of July 2019 is the time period.

In certain embodiments, the second consumption value is determined based on at least a third predicted value and a fourth predicted value, wherein the third predicted value is indicative of an amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space to the second comfort temperature (e.g., 72° F.) from the current temperature (e.g., 75° F.) and the fourth predicted value is indicative of an amount of energy required to maintain the second comfort temperature for the time period (e.g., June 2019) upon conditioning the enclosed space to the second comfort temperature. In some embodiments, the third predicted value is calculated based at least on a predicted condition of the enclosed space and the second comfort temperature. As described above, the predicted condition of the enclosed space may be determined based on systems and methods described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/967,848. In certain embodiments, the fourth predicted value is calculated based at least on the second comfort temperature and the forecasted weather data corresponding to the time period.

Taking the examples above, the second predicted value is indicative of the amount of energy required to condition the enclosed space from 75° F. to 74° F., while the second predicted value is indicative of the amount of energy required to maintain the enclosed space at 74° F. for the month of July 2019. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to a step226upon determining the second energy consumption value.

At step226, HVAC system100determines an economic value corresponding to the second energy consumption value. As described above, HVAC system100uses current electricity rate information to determine the corresponding economic value. As is also described above, HVAC system100may receive or obtain current electricity rate information. If at step224the second consumption value is determined to be 1850 kWh and the current rate is 9.3 cents per kWh, HVAC system100may calculate an economic value of $172.05 for the second energy consumption value. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to a step228upon determining the economic value corresponding to second energy consumption value.

At step228, HVAC system100determines a difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value. Taking the examples above, the difference between the first energy consumption value of 2000 kWh and the second energy consumption value of 1850 kWh is 150 kWh. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to a step230upon determining the difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value. Although this disclosure describes and depicts calculating a difference between determined consumption values, this disclosure also recognizes that HVAC system100may determine the difference between economic values corresponding to the first and second energy consumption values. For example, HVAC system100may instead calculate the difference between the first economic value and the second economic value at step228. In such example, HVAC system may determine the difference to be $13.95. In some embodiments, the method200proceeds to step230upon determining a difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value.

At step230, HVAC system100determines whether the difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value is less than a predetermined threshold. As described above, the predetermined threshold may be stored to a memory of controller150. As is also described above, the predetermined threshold may be programmed by an operator and/or a manufacturer of HVAC system100. In some embodiments, the predetermined threshold may ensure use of the first comfort temperature (which may correspond to the operator's preferred temperature from a comfort perspective) unless the second comfort temperature provides at least a threshold level of energy or cost savings. As an example, in some embodiments, the predetermined threshold is a value corresponding to a unit of energy (e.g., 50 kWh, such that the first comfort temperature would be used unless the second comfort temperature provides at least 50 kWh energy savings). In other embodiments, the predetermined threshold is a value corresponding to a cost of energy (e.g., $15.00, such that the first comfort temperature would be used unless the second comfort temperature provides at least $15.00 cost savings). The predetermined threshold may be set to any suitable value, including 0 (in which case the most energy efficient or cost-effective of the candidate comfort temperatures would be used). Additionally, in certain embodiments, the predetermined threshold may vary (linearly or non-linearly) depending on the difference between the first and second comfort temperatures. For example, the predetermined threshold may require more energy or cost savings to change the comfort temperature by 3° F. (e.g., the predetermined threshold may be 100 kWh or $20) than would be required to change the comfort temperature by only 1° F. (e.g., the predetermined threshold may be 50 kWh or $15.00).

If at step230, HVAC system100determines that the difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value is less than a predetermined threshold, the method220proceeds to a step232. If, however, HVAC system100determines at step230that the difference between the first energy consumption value and the second energy consumption value is not less than the predetermined threshold, the method220may proceed to a step236. Taking the above example regarding the first and the second consumption values, the method220may proceed to step236because the difference between the first and the second consumption is 150 kWh and 150 kWh is greater than (i.e., not less than) the predetermined threshold of 50 kWh. At step236, HVAC system100selects the second comfort temperature (e.g., 72° F.) based on the difference between the first and the second consumption values being greater than the predetermined threshold. The method220then proceeds to a step238wherein HVAC system100is operated according to the selected second comfort temperature.

In comparison, the method220would not have proceeded to step236if HVAC system100instead compared the difference between the costs of the first and the second consumption values to a $15.00 predetermined cost threshold. This is because the difference between the costs of the first and the second consumption values is $13.95 and $13.95 is less than the $15.00 predetermined cost threshold. In this such case, the method220may instead proceed from step230to a step232. At step232, HVAC system100selects the first comfort temperature (e.g., 71° F.) based on the difference between the costs of the first and the second consumption values being less than the predetermined cost threshold. The method220then proceeds to a step24wherein HVAC system100is operated according to the selected first comfort temperature.

Upon operating HVAC system100according to one of the first comfort temperature and the second temperature, the method220may proceed to an end step240.

The methods200and220may include one or more additional steps in some embodiments. Although this disclosure describes and depicts certain steps of methods200and220, this disclosure recognizes that methods200and220may comprise any suitable step and/or omit any described/depicted step.

FIG. 3illustrates an example controller300of HVAC system100, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, controller300may be an example of controller150described herein in relation toFIG. 1. Controller300may comprise one or more interfaces310, memory320, and one or more processors330. Interface310receives input (e.g., sensor data or system data), sends output (e.g., data, instructions), processes the input and/or output, and/or performs other suitable operation. Interface310may comprise hardware and/or software. As an example, interface310receives information (e.g., temperature, operation, speed, pressure information) about one or more components of systems100(e.g., via sensors).

Memory (or memory unit)320stores information. As an example, memory320may store method300. Memory320may comprise one or more non-transitory, tangible, computer-readable, and/or computer-executable storage media. Examples of memory320include computer memory (for example, Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), database and/or network storage (e.g., a server and/or cloud storage and processing), and/or other computer-readable medium.

Processor330may include any suitable combination of hardware and software implemented in one or more modules to execute instructions and manipulate data to perform some or all of the described functions of controller300. In some embodiments, processor330may include, for example, one or more computers, one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microprocessors, one or more applications, one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and/or other logic.